Jami Wallace becomes emotional after the public health meeting with the EPA in East Palestine on Tuesday, June 20. She has been an active member in the community and advocating for their rights after the derailment, demanding the healthcare they deserve.
The US EPA is collaborating with Southern Norfolk to restore the water and soil damaged in the derailment, including the water that runs throughout East Palestine through Sulfur Run creek.
A few other people affected from the derailment have been staying at this hotel as well, such as Mike Rosenbaum, whose family lives on Main Street. They have been keeping each other company while staying at the motel.
The owner of the Davis motel, where many East Palestine residents have stayed in this time of crisis, said he feels people are appreciative for the environment he has created for them.
Cleveland first responders train at the "Train training" put on by Norfolk Southern, which gives first responders a train derailment simulation.
A few weeks ago, Jeff was escorted to his home by security to get his motorcycle. He said there was contaminated dirt on his property, and he worries about his furniture and home.
Roger holds a book called “Dioxins and health,” and said he has been educating himself on the chemicals released in the controlled burn and their effects. He urges Southern Norfolk and the EPA to provide more testing for chemicals such as dioxin.
Jeff has been staying at the Davis Motel since the derailment, as Taggard Street is closed. He said he was told if he tried to return to his house he would be arrested.
Months after the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, they continue to clean up contaminated dirt, while regularly testing the air in town.
Taggard street remains closed in East Palesine, OH, as workers continue to clean contaminated soil four months after the train derailment.
Christina became emotional when describing the night of the derailment. She said she was in Salem having dinner with her boyfriend when her daughter called her, panicking, saying the train was on fire in town.
Roger and Janet Walker stand in front of their home in East Palestine, Ohio. They said they do not feel safe living in their home after the Norfolk Southern train derailment in February.
Mike Dugan, has been staying at the Best Western Hotel in Columbiana since the train derailment, along with Candy Kiehl. Mike says he experiences headaches and hives when he goes back to his house, which is about a half mile from the derailment site.
Large blue bins of contaminated water sit behind the site of the train derailment, as the EPA and Norfolk Southern work to clean the soil and water around the site.
Contractors continue to clean Sulfur Run creek, through a process called “sediment washing,” on Thursday, June 15.
Taggard Street, the street in front of where the February train derailment happened, remains closed months later.
Jeff Drummond, an East Palestine resident, owns a home across from the site of the Southern Norfolk train derailment that took place in February of 2023.
East Palestine fire chief Kieth Drabick recounts what happened after the February train derailments, and hopes to see more availability for training for volunteer firefighters.
