Emergency management calls April Union Pacific derailment a 'nonevent' for public harm, flags coordination lessons

Jim Redick, director of Austin Emergency Management, briefed the committee on the April 23 Union Pacific derailment in the Seaholm District and described it as operationally a "nonevent" in terms of harm to the public, while stressing that it provided important lessons for future coordination. Redick reported that seven cars derailed out of a 230-car train and that the cargo mix included some medical supplies but "certainly no hazardous materials." He said agencies including Union Pacific, APD, AFD, TxDOT, DPS and TDEM were involved in the response and follow-up.