DeWine urges Biden to declare disaster for East Palestine

EASTERN PALESTINE, Ohio — Governor Mike DeWine has asked President Joe Biden to declare five months after a major disaster. Toxic train derailment in East Palestine A plume of toxic material flew into the air, affecting thousands of residents.

In a letter to the president, Mr. DeWine said that “unmet needs have not been reported to the state,” but that was simply due to the voluntary actions of Southern Norfolk.

The governor said the president’s major disaster declaration would ensure that state and federal governments would utilize all available resources if the railroad company ceased volunteering at some point in the future.

DeWine said as the state continues to assess its long-term needs, the state has requested additional time from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to request a declaration, but FEMA requested on June 29. said he refused. The deadline for requesting a state of emergency was July 3.

On February 3, about 50 cars derailed in eastern Palestine, more than a dozen of them carrying dangerous goods.

Three days later, the crew released a toxic chemical called vinyl chloride into the air and started burning to prevent a possible explosion. Residents were forced to evacuate temporarily, but have reported falling ill from the chemicals released into the air.

last month, East Palestinian residents They gathered at the Ohio State Capitol and told DeWine to declare a state of emergency to get federal assistance.

“People are still getting sick. It started with respiratory problems, nosebleeds and bowel problems,” Jess Connard, who lives in East Palestine, said last month.

Cleanup activities near the derailment site have continued for several months since the accident.

Click to read the full letter from Mr. DeWine to the President. here.