Buckeye Reporter

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—The following are updates from the State of Ohio regarding remediation work at the site of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

Major Disaster Declaration Deadline Extension Request

This afternoon, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine submitted a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requesting a second extension on the deadline for Ohio to request a major disaster declaration for damage resulting from the February 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine.

Governor DeWine initially requested and was granted a 120-day extension in March after FEMA indicated that the East Palestine disaster likely would not qualify for traditional FEMA aid. That extension will expire on July 3, 2023. 

In his letter, Governor DeWine asks FEMA for an additional extension of 120 days to allow for continued assessments of the impacts of the derailment and to ensure a full resolution of the issues impacting East Palestine.

"This extension would allow the State of Ohio to continue its efforts to ensure that Norfolk Southern provides the impacted areas with resources needed to recover from the event, including financial assistance, and to identify any gaps in areas of recovery where federal assistance may be needed," Governor DeWine wrote. 

This extension would ensure that East Palestine can receive assistance from FEMA should the derailment qualify for traditional FEMA aid in the future.

A copy of the letter sent to FEMA ton June 13, can be found at governor.ohio.gov. 

State of Ohio Updates

For more information and previous updates from the State of Ohio, visit ema.ohio.gov/eastpalestine.

Original source can be found here.