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EAST PALESTINE -- It's been six months today since the Norfolk Southern train derailment and chemical spill turned East Palestine and surrounding areas upside down and the cost of the cleanup and concerns of people living in those communities continue to mount.
In April, Norfolk Southern said it anticipated the derailment to cost the company $387 million. Last week, the company doubled that amount to nearly $1 billion, estimating $803 million will be spent when the railroad's second-quarter earnings report was released. The bulk of those costs are expected to go to environmental remediation with legal expenses and community assistance.
So far, Norfolk Southern has pledged $63 million to East Palestine but residents like Misti Allison say it's not enough and the true cost of the derailment cannot be measured in dollars. She said conflicting information and a lack of transparency from responding agencies have made many mistrustful of the narrative put forward, and people fear the long-term consequences the rail disaster will have on public health. The Unity Council for the East Palestine Derailment -- a community oversight committee made of residents from all the communities impacted by the rail disaster to advocate for the needs within those communities that Allison serves on -- insists residents are already suffering those consequences.
"Following the train derailment, my family and hundreds more followed evacuation orders and then returned when told it was 'safe.' Six months later, we have continued to live here uncertain if the symptoms we suffer are everyday illnesses or daily reminders of the carcinogens to which we have been likely exposed," Allison said. "We find cold comfort in a noncommittal federal investigation and an ongoing cleanup that is as confusing as it is terrifying. While I am grateful for the work that's been done so far, there is more action needed to make this situation right."
Since the derailment, residents have reported a long list of health symptoms including but not limited to persistent nosebleeds, sore throats, nausea, rashes, numbing of the lips, seizure-like episodes, shortness of breath and vomiting.
Gov. Mike DeWine was adamant in the weeks following the derailment that Norfolk Southern would fund a program to address health concerns -- both short- and long-term -- but six months later no such program exists.
DeWine also insisted the railroad would compensate homeowners for any loss in property value caused by the derailment.
In May, Norfolk Southern announced a program that would reimburse those selling a property within 5 miles of the derailment site for any diminished value, but residents are still waiting on the exact details of that plan.
Meanwhile, village businesses are still suffering the fallout from the derailment as East Palestine struggles to shake the stigma in the wake of the chemical spill and release. To date, the only formal program that exists to help those businesses is the East Palestine Emergency Support Program, launched by DeWine, that provides zero-interest, forgivable loans "to assist with ongoing expenses and recovery efforts associated with the train derailment."
Allison said economic resuscitation, property-value loss protection and medical care and monitoring for residents are just a few of the many things that still need to be addressed for any true progress to be made. She added that cooperation between government and independent scientists is also paramount as is solidarity among community members.
"For our community to heal, we need to move forward with enhanced communication including detailed information on the home value protection program and a sound plan for economic development and recovery," she said. "We need long-term health care testing and monitoring with the EPA acting in tandem with independent researchers. And most importantly, we need to stand united. I am proud to be an East Palestine resident and I will continue to advocate for the well-being of my entire community."