Strong winds derail more than a dozen rail cars in mid-Missouri

Monday night’s fast-moving thunderstorms left mid-Missouri residents cleaning up widespread damage.

Work crews in Chariton County, that’s northwest of Boone County, spent Tuesday afternoon clearing debris off railroad tracks after strong winds toppled more than a dozen train cars.

Emergency Management Director Eric McKenize told ABC 17 News the rail cars are owned by BNSF. The train was parked on tracks near Dean Lake, when strong winds derailed the cars. The locomotive did not come off the tracks.

McKenzie said the train wasn’t carrying any hazardous materials.

The storm damaged or destroyed several homes and barns in Chariton County. An exact location or number of buildings affected was not released.

McKenzie said he could not confirm if a tornado touched down, but told ABC 17 News that county officials are in contact with the National Weather Service.

You can stay find the latest forecast for mid-Missouri by downloading the ABC 17 Stormtrack app from Google Play or Apple’s App store.