Ohio Train Derailment Aftermath: A Year of Trials and Hope

Precisely a year has passed since the disastrous train derailment hot East Palestine, Ohio. However, the impacts of the catastrophe, particularly the expulsion of toxic vinyl chloride into the environment, still persist in the everyday life of the Ferguson family and other community members. This unfortunate incident forced them to relocate, leaving behind their homes, possessions, and a life that was once familiar to them.

Coping with the Impact of Displacement

Among those heavily affected are Krissy Ferguson and her elderly parents. Krissy had to assume the responsibility of managing this challenging situation on behalf of her 90-year-old stepfather, Bob, grappling with dementia, and her 82-year-old mother, Norma, who is living with Parkinson’s disease. Bob’s disorientation in an unknown rental property in Columbiana, not far from where they originally lived, intensified signs of desolation. In a bid to help Bob adapt to the novel environment, Krissy resorted to installing signs throughout the house as an attempt to bring back a sense of the familiar.

Clean Up Continues at the Derailment Site

Parallel to the struggles of the local community, cleaning endeavors at the derailment site continue unabated. Substantial progress has been made with over 44 million gallons of wastewater and 176,000 tons of solid waste successfully eliminated. October marked the end of contaminated soil excavation, with the current phase involving backfilling the affected area with fresh materials. Nevertheless, the former serene train tracks now serve as a busy construction region with trucks ferrying waste every day.

Residents Appeal for Assistance

The residents of East Palestine continue to feel the tremors of the disaster. Businesses have been forced to close, numerous people are dealing with deteriorating health conditions, and several others are still living as displaced persons. The desperate community is calling on the current administration to officially declare the train derailment as a disaster. It is their belief that such a move will pave the way for extensive access to financial support, quality health services, and broader environmental assessments. Amidst it all, the Fergusons and many other affected families periodically return to their hometown to receive reimbursement payments from Norfolk Southern, the company that owned the unfortunate train.