LUFKIN, Texas — Strong winds from a severe thunderstorm have blown 64 empty rail cars from an East Texas overpass, closing a heavily traveled highway but causing no injuries.
Strong winds blow train cars off the track and onto the highway in Texas: https://t.co/0eqUUFrI1e pic.twitter.com/AZS5kNnAvO
— FOX 8 New Orleans (@FOX8NOLA) December 13, 2015
Numerous train cars were blown off a bridge in Texas Sunday morning. https://t.co/VpHd4YedxK pic.twitter.com/s0LQRxF3Cp
— KFVS News (@kfvsnews) December 14, 2015
Lufkin police say a straight-line wind of at least 40 mph blew the cars from the Angelina and Neches River Railroad overpass onto Loop 287 near U.S. 69 about 7 a.m. Sunday. Sgt. Dale Jowell said street signs, power lines and trees along the stretch of rail bed were downed and billboards also were damaged.
Could be 48 hours before rail cars are cleared in north Lufkin, officials say. https://t.co/IMRBhC5F8R pic.twitter.com/8Hr5wxumbX
— Lane Luckie (@LaneLuckie) December 13, 2015
TxDOT crews continue to monitor work on SL 287W in Lufkin where empty train cars were blown from a railroad bridge. pic.twitter.com/wqhFYvhBPK
— TxDOT Lufkin (@TxDOTLufkin) December 13, 2015
A police statement said about 48 hours would be needed to right the rail cars.
