LIVINGSTON, KY -- U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) issued the following statement after Rockcastle County families were urged to evacuate the night before Thanksgiving, following a trail derailment and chemical spill in the Livingston area.  

"Tonight, some families in Rockcastle County have been encouraged to evacuate from their homes on this Thanksgiving holiday after a train derailed, causing a chemical spill.

"Governor Beshear has declared a State of Emergency for the county and residents are encouraged to evacuate in the Piney Branch Road and Livingston areas. Impacted families can take shelter at the Rockcastle County Middle School, where cots have been set up. Local officials tell me CSX is also helping impacted families with hotel rooms and food.

"I applaud our local volunteer firefighters for going door-to-door to alert residents about the chemical spill in the area. My staff and I will remain in contact with local and state officials, as I stand ready to assist in any way possible. My prayers are with every family whose Thanksgiving gatherings have been disrupted by this derailment."

For more information about Congressman Rogers' work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.