Local authorities react to Baltimore bridge collapse | News [Video]

The bridge collapse in Baltimore has so many of you asking WAAY 31, “What if a catastrophe like that happened here, and are local officials prepared?”

All of America watched in complete shock as the Francis Scott Key Bridge crashed down Tuesday.

Steven Leighty, a spokesperson for Ohio Valley’s United States Coast Guard Sector, said that seeing that footage was heartbreaking.

“My heart pours out for the people involved and also for the people responding to the rescue efforts” said Leighty.

Leighty’s words echo many.

The Decatur Railroad Bridge is a lift bridge that lets boats carrying goods pass. Leighty said crews transport about 54 million tons of goods annually on the Tennessee River, mainly fertilizer, asphalt, and salt.

He said the folks operating those boats go through extensive training.

“Those are professional mariners they often times go to college 3 or 4 years learn maritime domain awareness, all kinds of different types of …