Region 51 Emergency Management reported shortly after 5pm on Thursday Hwy 30 between North Platte and Hershey reopened to traffic. About an hour later, the evacuation order was lifted.
NORTH PLATTE, NE – Multiple agencies are responding to a rail car fire and explosion near Highway 30, MM 172 on the west end of Union Pacific Railroad Bailey Yards in North Platte.
Region 51 Emergency Management reports North Platte Fire & Hazmat are on scene with UPRR. The incident is contained at this time. They are monitoring the situation and the weather, adjusting their tactics and evacuations to keep responders and citizens safe. Remain aware of changes that will be put out through media, social media, and RAVE Alerts. Avoid the area so that responders can effectively handle the situation.
North Platte 911 Center says emergency evacuations are happening in a four mile radius spanning from North Front Road, south to the north side of Baily Yards, east to North Homestead Road. This area includes Highway 30 between mile markers 170, 171, 172, 173 and 174; West Platte Valley Road, Jays Road, North Wagon Trail Road, and North Splinter Road.
Should the wind shift, Lincoln County Emergency Management wants those residents south of the current evacuation area to be prepared to evacuate. North Platte Police Department says the south boundary of the evacuation area would likely move from the railroad tracks to west A Street. North Platte PD says, additional RAVE alerts will be issued if that is necessary.
Currently, the Nebraska Department of Roads is placing barricades at west A St/Lakeview Blvd as well as west Front St./Lakeview Blvd. That area is not in the evacuation zone, but is to keep people from entering the evacuation zone.
Highway 30 between Hershey and North Platte is still closed. Motorists in the area should choose an alternate route.
The Lincoln County 911 Center says those who need shelter to evacuate to, contact the Salvation Army Building in North Platte or the Legion in Hershey.
