Terrifying Train Derailment Prompts Evacuations in Jo Daviess County

A scary situation unfolded in a small community in Jo Daviess County early this morning (Thursday, October 9th, 2025), which prompted a portion of the town to be evacuated.

Per WIFR and multiple sources, a train derailment occurred in the town of Nora, IL, which is roughly 50 minutes from Dubuque, just outside of Warren. According to the Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office, several train cars derailed shortly after midnight.

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Details of the Derailment:

The derailment occurred at the railroad crossing on North Stagecoach Trail near East Chestnut Street in Nora. Shortly after the derailment, residents within 1,000 feet of the incident were evacuated. In total, around 100 people had to evacuate the area following the derailment. Per Wikipedia, the population of Nora is 107.

Evacuees were welcomed into the Warren Community Building. Fortunately, officials reported no injuries as a result of the accident, per WIFR.

Response to the Derailment:

Emergency crews, various area fire departments, HAZMAT teams, and law enforcement all arrived on the scene to assess and manage the situation. Cleanup efforts are ongoing into late morning on Thursday, with authorities urging the public to avoid the area (specifically the railroad crossing on North Stagecoach Trail near East Chestnut Street in Nora).

North Stagecoach Trail in Nora will remain closed for an extended period of time, per WIFR.

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The cause of the train derailment, or information on what the train was carrying, is not yet known at this time. For more information, you can read more on WIFR's website.