A series of powerful tornadoes caused widespread disruption in North Dakota on Wednesday, with 43 train cars derailed by high winds. The BNSF Railway train, which had halted due to a tornado warning, was caught in the storm, leading to the derailment of the empty cars.
BNSF Railway spokesperson Kendall Sloan confirmed that no one was injured and that the train was not carrying hazardous materials at the time. The derailment occurred near Steele, North Dakota, where the National Weather Service (NWS) reported a tornado touchdown around 8:00 p.m. An earlier tornado was confirmed near Selfridge, North Dakota, at 5:40 p.m.
The NWS also detected three potential tornadoes in north-central South Dakota later that night. Survey crews are currently assessing the damage across the region, but the full extent remains unknown.
Cleanup efforts began early Thursday morning, with crews working to clear the derailed train cars. There is no set timeline for when the cleanup will be completed, as officials continue to evaluate the situation.
The incident serves as a reminder of the destructive power of tornadoes and the importance of preparedness, particularly in regions prone to severe weather. North Dakota officials are working to restore order and ensure the safety of residents as they recover from this significant weather event.
