WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown on Thursday asked Gov. Mike DeWine to officially declare a disaster in Ohio’s East Palestine after a train derailment released chemicals into its environment.
The Norfolk Southern train derailed on Feb. 3, spilling toxic chemicals such as vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, and ethylene glycol monobutyl either. Federal and state officials, fearing the vinyl chloride tanks would explode, set them afire, creating a massive plume of thick black smoke. Other chemicals seeped into local streams, killing fish and traveling down into the Ohio River.
“A man-made disaster of this scale, scope, and significance necessitates a response and deployment of resources that are commensurate in scale and scope,” the Cleveland Democrat wrote DeWine. “Additional federal resources can and should play a critical role in helping our fellow Ohioans get back on their feet and ensure that their community is a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.”
A spokesman for the Republican governor said he already contacted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) about a potential disaster declaration and was told the derailment wouldn’t qualify because there’s a lack of unreimbursed property damage of the sort caused by tornados, floods and earthquakes.
DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said residents who are unsure about the air and water quality in their homes can get them tested at Norfolk Southern’s expense. The railroad is also providing hotels, food and bottled water for anyone who must leave their homes because of the derailment, said Tierney.
“You are eligible for FEMA assistance when you have problems that aren’t covered by third parties,” said Tierney. “The system is set up so taxpayers are the payers of last resort.”
The Republican governor plans to seek federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s emergency response team, Tierney said.
“They provide additional health assistance care on the ground,” said Tierney. “It is more doctors, nurses and supplies as needed.”
Sabrina Eaton covers the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Read more of her work here.