Debris Flow — Boundary, Idaho

2020-01-01 · near Moyie Spgs, Boundary, Idaho

Event narrative

A BNSF train derailed when a rock slide cut the rail line along the Kootenai River east of Bonners Ferry. Three locomotives were pushed off of the tracks along with 6 rail cars, with one locomotive completely submerged in the Kootenai River.

Wider weather episode

During the evening of January 1st a debris flow of rocks and mud cut a railroad line about 10 miles east of Bonners Ferry. A BNSF train was derailed with 3 locomotives and 6 rail cars being pushed into the Kootenai River with two engineers trapped inside. The engineers were rescued without injury. Authorities worked through much of the month to remove the engines and contain diesel fuel leaking into the river. One locomotive was scrapped with the other two sent to a rail yard for extensive repairs.

The COOP observer at nearby Bonners Ferry recorded a high temperature of 44 degrees with 0.46 inches of rain on January 1st in the hours leading to the debris flow. This rain falling on melting snow is suspected of saturating the soil and destabilizing the slope along the rail line.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (48.6984, -116.2073)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 871675. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.