The Federal Emergency Management Agency says the state of Ohio does not qualify for disaster assistance after 50 train cars derailed.
On February 3, 2023, a freight train carrying vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The train cars caught fire and officials initiated a controlled chemical burn. Since then, residents of the area have expressed concern about air and water quality. The State Department of Natural Resources says 3,500 fish have died in the water near the burn site. Many residents took to social media to report a number of health issues and concerns.
The federal agency has told Governor Ohio Mike DeWine that because the derailment and chemical spill was not a “traditional disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane,” the state can not receive funding for recovery efforts.
“The DeWine Administration has been in daily contact with FEMA to discuss the need for federal support, however FEMA continues to tell Governor DeWine that Ohio is not eligible for assistance at this time,” DeWine’s office told Fox News.
“Governor DeWine will continue working with FEMA to determine what assistance can be provided.”
The White House says the federal EPA is overseeing air quality evaluations while the Ohio EPA is managing surface and groundwater testing.
