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EAST PALESTINE -- The Unity Council for East Palestine Train Derailment -- a community oversight committee formed by Ohio and Pennsylvania residents impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment -- continues to pressure Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to declare East Palestine and the surrounding communities a disaster area.
DeWine asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency in March for a 120-day extension to request a major disaster declaration in the East Palestine train derailment and has until July 3 to do so before the deadline passes. In a press release concerning the extension, the governor's office stated that it "will help ensure that East Palestine can receive assistance from FEMA should the derailment qualify for traditional FEMA aid in the future."
The Unity Council says without a declaration, areas impacted will miss out on "critical emergency resources to the community to ensure public health and safety for the present and the future."
While both DeWine and the Unity Council appear to be on the same page, DeWine's failure to make a disaster declaration to date was the push in forming the community oversight panel.
According to DeWine's office, the East Palestine derailment does not qualify under FEMA's guidelines due to lack of unreimbursed property damage caused. A rail disaster in 1978 is cited as a reason for the establishment of FEMA by President Jimmy Carter's executive order in 1979. The Waverly tank car explosion occurred in February of 1978 after a tanker of liquefied petroleum gas that derailed days earlier exploded during cleanup efforts. Sixteen people were killed in the explosion and 43 injured.
Relief distribution set for today
Water, food and baby items will be distributed from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the East Palestine Church of the Nazarene at 38 E. Rebecca St. Due to limited supplies, the giveaway is open to residents of East Palestine only.
Those needing supplies are asked to enter the parking lot behind the church on North Sumner and provide identification to prove residency.
The Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center has been relocated to East Palestine. The center officially opened at its new location in Rebecca's Place, 191 E. Rebecca St., East Palestine. The East Palestine center replaces the one set up in the days following the disaster at Abundant Life Fellowship Church in New Waterford.
The center's hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The center will remain closed on Sundays. Residents can contact the center at 800-230-7049 during the center's regular hours. Residents who are seeking assistance are asked to provide a driver's license or other government-issued identification, proof of residency (current utility bill), proof of dependency (minor child's birth certificate or Social Security card) and receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses.
Closed for the East Palestine Street Fair and holiday weekend, the EPA's Welcome Center is open again at 25 N. Market St. The welcome center hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The center is closed on Sunday. The EPA information phone number has changed to 330-775-6517.
Norfolk Southern is nearing completion of the second set of tracks. Crews have sampled the centerline area between the north and south tracks and are awaiting results to determine if additional excavation is needed.
Work on the south track was completed in April, meeting the railroad's self-imposed deadline, and remediation immediately began on the northbound tracks. So far, an estimated 48,521 tons of solid waste and contaminated soil has been shipped off site with an additional 18,759,921 gallons of liquid waste shipped removed.
Information released by the EPA in April about asbestos-containing material at the derailment site is not related to the crash, the EPA said. The material was discovered during remediation efforts.
Registration for the Road2Recovery Hometown Walk & 5K Run in East Palestine remains underway. Legendary Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis will be the guest host at the June 10 event that organizers hope will give small businesses a boost and raise money for youth initiatives in East Palestine. So far, proceeds have exceeded $100,000.
The cost to participate is $10 per child and $20 per adult. To register or learn more about the event, visit road2recoveryep.com.
Norfolk Southern in partnership with the East Palestine Firefighter's Association and Brittain Motors will co-sponsor the Independence Day Celebration.
The day kicks off at 1 p.m. July 4 with free bounce houses and food trucks. Live music will take place from 2 to 9:50 p.m. with fireworks set to start at 10 p.m.
A 50/50 and raffle for a chance to win books of Ohio Lottery scratch-offs will be held.
Additional sponsors are still being sought for the event. For information on sponsorships, contact Johnathon Seabrook at J.seabrook@eastpalestine-oh.gov.