Norfolk Southern Derailment Resources & Updates

This press release from Representative Christopher R. Deluzio (D-PA) was published on 2023-02-13 and titled "Norfolk Southern Derailment Resources & Updates".

Norfolk Southern Derailment Resources & Updates

Norfolk Southern Derailment Resources Updates Image Bluffstone@mai… Mon, 02/13/2023 - 13:20 Updated 12/8/23 Congressman Chris Deluzio represents Pennsylvania’s 17th District, including Darlington Township, Pennsylvania, a community that was impacted by and partially evacuated due to the derailment of the Norfolk Southern train cars in East Palestine, Ohio, just across the state line. He is continuing to monitor the situation and is in continual contact with federal, state, and local agencies working on the issue. His top priority is to ensure the safety of western Pennsylvanians and to hold the railroad fully accountable for this disaster. The Congressman knows this incident is scary to a lot of people in our community, and he is going to fight to get to the bottom of these questions, particularly regarding staffing and safety policies that may have contributed to this terrible derailment. RESOURCES FOR CONCERNED RESIDENTS The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) recently launched a Train Derailment Dashboard with information about the derailment and resources for Western PA residents. If residents have medical questions related to the train derailment , they can call the Pittsburgh Poison Center at 1-877-603-0170. If residents have further questions or concerns about possible exposure, they may call the CTEH Taggart Road Hotline at 234-542-6474 to speak with a toxicologist, or contact the PA Department of Health at 877-PA-HEALTH or env.health.concern@pa.gov If residents have additional questions about air, soil, and water quality, they can call the PA Department of Environmental Protection at 412-442-4000. If residents require additional assistance, including assistance with reimbursements , they can either visit the Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center at Ain East Palestine at 191 East Rebecca Street, East Palestine, OH 44413, or call 1-800-230-7049 between 10am-6:30pm Monday through Friday or 10am-4pm on Saturday. They have one phone line, and calls are answered one at a time, so call back again if you do not get through. If residents need to contact Beaver County Emergency Services , they can call 724-773-6767. Temporary Relocation Assistance: Norfolk Southern announced they are ending their temporary relocation assistance services on February 9, 2024 . The railroad cited major excavation and soil activities. For information about any of the support programs, residents may contact the Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center (191 E. Rebecca St.) at 800-230-7049 during operating hours.. The center is open to residents Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday. In-Person Resources and Information : FAMILY ASSISTANCE CENTER : Some resources are available to Western Pennsylvania residents at the Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center in East Palestine. Their hours and more details are on their website . The address is below, and the hotline is 800-230-7049 (staffed from 10am-6:30pm Monday to Friday or 10am-4pm on Saturday). Their new address is 191 East Rebecca Street, East Palestine, OH 44413. Please note that the number does not have a call waiting, so if your call is not answered they recommend calling back again later. NEARBY HOMEOWNER REIMBURSMENT : For months , Congressman Deluzio has been pushing Norfolk Southern to clean up their mess and help more residents hurt by its devastating derailment , especially in Western Pennsylvania. As of May 9, 2023, Norfolk Southern has agreed to compensate homeowners within 5 miles of the derailment for property value declines incurred after February 3 rd , 2023. Eligible residents who live within a 5-mile radius can submit a reimbursement claim through the East Palestine Family Assistance Center. Norfolk Southern has specific terms that must be met by applicants to qualify. Some more details are available here or at the Family Assistance Center. This is an important first step for those harmed by Norfolk Southern's toxic derailment. Congressman Deluzio will keep pushing to make sure the railroad makes people whole for every penny of pain this incident has brought to lives, livelihoods, and our community. HEALTH CLINIC : Darlington Township residents in zip codes 16115, 16120, and 16141 with medical concerns are able to use the services at the permanent East Palestine health assessment clinic. More information on their hours and services can be found here . Residents call 330-383-6020 to make appointments. DARLINGTON RESOURCE TABLES (concluded) : The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided resources in-person from the PA Dept of Agriculture, Dept of Environmental Protection, and Dept of Health in Darlington Township during much of the month of March. These events have concluded and are no longer occurring at this time. Water and soil testing : DEP has been conducting independent water and soil sampling to closely monitor water contamination risks within a two-mi