UPDATE: Highway 247 reopens following Tuesday train derailment
The Houston County Emergency Management Agency says Highway 247 is back open following a train derailment Tuesday.
UPDATE (7/13): According to Houston County EMA Director Christopher Stoner, the carts that overturned were carrying Molten Sulphur. None of the items were in a state to release harsh chemicals.
Stoner says the train derailment isn’t uncommon.
” We’ve got mask notifications systems similar to how the amber alerts come on your cell phones that we can push out through our 911 center to anybody that’s in the immediate area,” he said.
If chemicals were released, Stoner says EMA services have a plan in place.
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UPDATE (8:54 p.m.): The Houston County Emergency Management Agency says Norfolk Southern has reported the southbound lanes of Highway 247 will be closed intermittently between Green Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Drivers will be diverted down Greet Street during these periods, a Houston County EMA Facebook post said. During the closures, Norfolk Southern will have heavy equipment blocking lanes working to upright rail cars. Gravel is also down across the roadway.
You’re asked to use caution and avoid the area if possible.
Watson Boulevard at Highway 247 will be closed for “an extended period.” Drivers will be detoured down 3rd Street.
UPDATE: The Houston County Emergency Management Agency says Highway 247 is back open following a train derailment Tuesday.
No injuries were reported, and no hazardous materials were involved, according to Houston County EMA.
Access to these streets is blocked as of 7 p.m.:
- Bargain Drive
- Green Street
- Ignico Drive
- Martin Luther King Boulevard
- Watson Boulevard
The public is asked to avoid the area as crews continue to work the scene.
The Warner Robins Fire Department, Warner Robins Police Department, Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Houston County Fire Department, Georgia State Patrol, Robins Air Force Base Fire Department, Georgia Department of Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railroad and Houston County EMA are all on the scene.
UPDATE: Robins Air Force Base says the Watson Boulevard and Green Street gates are closed as well as portions of Highway 247. The Russell Parkway gate is still open.
We have a reporter on the way and will update this story as we get more information.
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Highway 247 North and South between MLK and North Davis Drive is shut down and the Watson Boulevard-Highway 247 intersection is blocked following a train derailment Tuesday.
That’s according to Warner Robins Police, which asks everyone to avoid the area.
The Central Georgia Technical College Alert system reported there were hazardous chemicals leaking from overturned tanker cars and told people to avoid the area.
Warner Robins Police Department has not confirmed that information.
