Big Sky Chronicles - 1989 Train Wreck

On February 2nd, 1989, a train wreck caused power outages across Helena. With below zero temperatures, citizens of Helena had an emergency situation on their hands. In this week's Big Sky Chronicles Beartooth NBC's Kristin Price takes a look back at the disaster.

Janet Spencer says the train wreck on that cold February morning rocked her out of her bed. 

“I had 2 scented candles for light,”  Spencer says,  “ but I couldn't find any matches. There was no heat, I had no back up heat. I couldn't find my car keys and I was just so utterly unprepared to handle that disaster on my own that I vowed I would never be caught that unprepared ever again.”.

Tom Cook of the Montana Historical Society says the crash knocked off switches causing power outages for hours. 

 According to Cook, :The weather had been 30 below, 40 below for several days, never rising above zero during the day time when this event took place and Helenans reacted with tremendous poise and people were checking on neighbors, people were helping each other out. 

Janet Spencer says, “It was just a matter of neighbor helping neighbor. I spent my whole day, because I had a car that would start in those temperatures, shuttling people around.”

Cook says although it was one of the biggest train wrecks and winter survival stories Helena has ever experienced -- there weren't any deaths as a result.

“A few people were treated for inhalation problems, but no one was seriously injured. The train had several chemical cars on it. One was hydrogen peroxide another was polyproline and those things burned well into the afternoon.”

After realizing how unprepared she was for a major emergency, Spencer became involved in Disaster and Emergency Services.  She says she always keeps a pair of shoes under her bed containing keys, a wrench and an extra pair of glasses.

Spencer says anyone who is interested in disaster preparedness should look into becoming part of the Community Emergency Response Team.

Story by Kristin Price, Beartooth NBC.

Sponsored by Big Sky Plumbing & Heating of Helena.
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