Severe weather struck North Dakota on Wednesday as five tornadoes swept across the Dakotas, leading to the derailment of 43 train cars. The BNSF Railway train, which had stopped due to a tornado warning, was caught in the path of high winds that knocked the empty cars off the tracks.
BNSF Railway spokesperson Kendall Sloan reassured the public that there were no injuries and that the train was not carrying any hazardous materials at the time of the incident. The derailment occurred near Steele, North Dakota, where the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed a tornado touchdown at approximately 8:00 p.m. Another tornado had earlier been reported near Selfridge, North Dakota, at 5:40 p.m.
The NWS also identified three additional potential tornadoes in north-central South Dakota later that night. As survey crews continue to evaluate the damage, the extent of the impact remains uncertain.
Cleanup efforts began early Thursday morning, with crews working to clear the derailed train cars. However, the timeline for completion is still unknown. The incident underscores the dangers posed by tornadoes and the potential for widespread disruption, especially in rural areas where infrastructure may be more vulnerable.
As North Dakota deals with the aftermath, officials are focused on assessing the damage and ensuring the safety of residents and transportation systems in the affected areas.
