State of emergency declared in St. Landry Parish train derailment

LAWTELL - Governor Bobby Jindal declared a State of Emergency due to a train derailment and leak of hazardous materials in St. Landry Parish.

The train was traveling from Lake Charles to Livonia when 23 cars derailed.

Of the 23 derailed cars, 14 contained regulated products.

Workers on the ground are using dams and dikes to contain leaking substances from three cars to prevent further offsite impact.

There has been no concern from air monitors, and the derailment is not expected to shut down any rail service because of detours in place.

U.S. Highway 190 remained closed in the area, and State Police evacuated a one-mile area around the derailment, including approximately 101 homes.