Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Calls on President Joe Biden to Declare Disaster in Ohio East Palestine

Eastern Palestine, Ohio (WKBN) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Monday called on President Joe Biden to issue a major presidential disaster declaration. Following the derailment of the East Palestine train.

Since the derailment, the Ohio EMA has continued to communicate with the federal EMA about potential federal assistance, Dewine said. DeWine advised that FEMA would likely not get help because unmet needs were not reported to the state, but said Norfolk South helped the community instead. But FEMA’s help is still needed in case the aid from southern Norfolk ends, DeWine said.

“It remains possible that the voluntary assistance provided by Southern Norfolk may be terminated at some point in the future, and this proclamation calls for state and federal governments to intervene using all available resources and provide assistance to local communities. We need it to ensure we provide the necessary support,” DeWine said in a letter to Biden.

Click here to read Mr. DeWine’s letter to the President.