Here & Now

Freight Train Derails as Floods on Mississippi River Crest

Frederica Freyberg:

In other news, Wisconsin is still under a state of emergency due to historic floodwaters. Flooding along the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin hit its peak in the La Crosse area over the last few days. However, water was still rising at week’s end farther south near Prairie du Chien. Latest projections had the river reaching just over 23 feet Friday afternoon and then starting to recede. In Prairie du Chien, many roads were closed and residents along main street evacuated. Tens of thousands of sandbags were filled and placed as residents tried to keep floodwaters at bay. The major flooding is the result of record snowpack followed by rainfall and saturated soil. That saturated soil may have led to a freight train derailing Thursday on the bluff side of the Mississippi River with several cars tipping over. Authorities say hazardous materials of lithium-ion batteries, oxygen containers and paint were on board but have been contained. Officials shut down a section of state highway 35 during clean up. Four workers were taken to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. The incident and exact cause are under investigation.