Locals react to White County train incident that caused highway closure, evacuation

WHITE COUNTY, Ark. – White County residents shared concerns after a Monday train incident led to an evacuation and a multi-hour closure of Highway 367.

Officials with the Arkansas Department of Transportation said there was a nitric acid spill on the scene.

Nitric acid is highly corrosive. Exposure to the liquid can cause irritation to the eyes, skin and can also cause serious health issues, according to the CDC.

Union Pacific officials said that the leak was contained around 12:30 p.m. Officials with the White County Sheriff’s Office say Highway 367 was reopened and the evacuation was lifted after 3:30 p.m.

Crystal Kimberly, who works at a local gas station, said many people who work and live near the area that had to be evacuated came into the store and were afraid.

“A lot of people have come in because they don’t know where to go, they don’t have anywhere to go,” Kimberly said.

Michael Perez, who lives across from the train track, said he was nervous for his family and himself.

“I was a little nervous, I stayed inside just in case anything happens,” Perez said. “I can’t really do anything about it right now but I just hope nothing like that happens again.”

Later Monday evening, officials said the train was moving again and the train car that was leaking had been removed from the track.

Officials with Union Pacific said air monitoring near the site and in Beebe and McRae show normal conditions.

Union Pacific says they are still investigating the cause of the leak.

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