Tell President Biden to Make a Major Disasters Declaration for East Palestine
On the night of February 3, 2023, roughly 50 railcars on a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, less than a mile from the Pennsylvania border. At least twenty of those railcars contained hazardous materials, several of which caught fire and burned for days in the very backyards of some East Palestine residents. Some of the railcars spilled their loads of hazardous materials into a ditch next to the train tracks, which empties into the Ohio River.
The unprecedented but preventable Norfolk Southern derailment was a devastating blow to the East Palestine community. Cleanup of the site is ongoing. Residents continue to report medical issues, and they rightfully fear that their air and water are contaminated.
Currently, Norfolk Southern is voluntarily providing assistance to East Palestine, but it is insufficient and will not continue forever. The people of East Palestine are without critically needed support. The federal government must do more to ensure that disaster assistance for East Palestine is guaranteed.
We are calling on President Joe Biden to issue a Major Disaster Declaration for East Palestine. That is the only way to ensure their disaster support. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine requested such a declaration last July, but President Biden has not acted.