Some Residents Leary About Returning After Derailment

February 9, 2023 2:25 am

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — (WPXI) – The evacuation order issued to East Palestine and some Beaver County residents due to the train derailment has been lifted. Residents within a one-mile radius of the train derailment site, including some in Darlington Township, were told to leave their homes Sunday after the temperature dropped in one of the rail cars, putting it at risk for an explosion. Officials with Norfolk Southern say testing will be made available for both wells and air in homes. “We’re right beside the creek. We can smell the chemicals. It’s bad,” Chase Ammon said. He lives between East Palestine and Negley. Safety officials will continue to monitor the area and are offering air quality readings to people who would like them done within their homes. Norfolk Southern Railroad is paying for a contractor to work with police, members of EPA and state officials to hold the tests. Free water tests will also be available for anyone with a private well, including all of the private wells in Pennsylvania. Until the tests are done, people with private wells are asked to use bottled water. Anyone who is uncomfortable going back to their home can contact the railroad assistance center at 800-230-7049 to ask about hotel assistance.