at 9:09 AM by Mallory Schnell

New Orleans Train Blown Off Track

Severe storms producing wind gusts up to 70 mph caused a train to be blown off of its track in New Orleans on Monday. The train was blown off of the Huey P. Long Bridge, which is located southwest of the city. The incredible video below shows the train cars as they toppled off the bridge:

RT.com reported the following statement from Jeff Davis, the New Orleans Public Belt general manager:

“Due to the severe weather this morning, four Union Pacific Railroad railcars derailed and dropped off the east bank approach to the Huey P. Long Bridge,” Jeff Davis, New Orleans Public Belt general manager said in a statement. “The rail cars were empty and did not contain any hazardous materials. No leaks and no injuries are reported at this time.”

The line of thunderstorms that caused this incident is the same line that produced severe weather around the Dallas area on Sunday. A tornado was reported southeast of New Orleans, and wind gusts of 111 mph were recorded in Kenner, just west of New Orleans, on Monday. Torrential rain was also an outcome of this storm system, as over 2 inches of rain were produced in less than an hour in New Orleans (Capital Weather Gang).

In addition, 168,000 people were left without power Monday in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas. Power was also out in the main terminal of the NOLA airport for some time (RT.com).