A powerful tornado struck late Sunday evening near Ashby, a town in western Nebraska that derailed a freight train carrying about 130 cars. The incident caused significant disruption to a busy state highway but fortunately caused no injuries.
Only the rear of the freight train came off the tracks when the tornado hit the area at approximately 18:30 p.m. Footage from the scene shows the devastation caused by overturned and scattered carriages.
Rapid and Coordinated Response from Emergency Teams
Following the tornado report, BNSF Railway officials and Nebraska State Police immediately responded to the derailment area. Although the tornado caused brief power outages in the area, emergency crews quickly restored power and minimized the impact on local communities.
Despite debris littering nearby cyclone-hit lands, Highway 2, a major transportation artery, remained fully operational throughout the recovery effort. Authorities’ decision not to close the highway allowed for a steady flow of traffic in the area and for emergency vehicles to quickly reach the scene. This strategic decision prevented further disruption.
Eyewitness Describes Post-Tornado Derailment
Eyewitness Jorge Valdez, who reached the scene after the incident, expressed his initial concern. He stated that he felt great relief when he saw that the train crew members were safe and unharmed after this shocking derailment caused by the violent hurricane, and that he immediately ran to the train.
According to meteorologists, the tornado near Ashby was more than a mile wide. When you consider that the average tornado is around 500 feet across, it is clear how powerful this tornado was. In the wake of the incident, Nebraska residents and authorities continue to work together to clean up and recover from the accident. It is expected that the work to remove the derailed cars and reopen the rail line will take a long time.
