East Palestine derailment: Several school districts close Tuesday
People living around East Palestine woke up Tuesday morning still wondering when their lives can get back to normal.
Authorities say they were successful Monday in conducting a controlled release of toxic chemicals from five of the tanker cars that derailed Friday in the village.
There is no word on when there will be an update from the National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the investigation into the cause of the derailment.
The EPA continues to monitor air quality around the site on East Taggart Street where an evacuation order remains in effect within a one-mile radius from the derailment scene.
Once the wreckage cools off, the derailed cars would have to be removed.
In the meantime, businesses in the evacuation zone remain closed and people who live there have sought shelter elsewhere, including the gyms at East Palestine Middle School and High Schools.
Schools in the East Palestine district remain closed through the end of the week as students use blizzard bags to offer educational structure and give students something else on which to focus, according to system officials.
All school extracurricular activities are canceled.
In addition, Springfield Local Schools in New Middletown and Crestview in Columbiana are closed on Tuesday February 7 as a precautionary measure.
Heartland Christian School in Columbiana also closed on Tuesday as did CCLC pre-school in New Middletown due to the possibility of poor air quality.
East Palestine Village offices are closed on Tuesday.
The CCH Solid Waste District posted a notice telling people not to use the village recycling site because the driver can’t empty the bins while roads remain blocked.
Across the state line in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, classes were dismissed early on Monday in the Blackhawk district.
The district announced on its website that officials were notified by the EPA that it is safe to return to school on Tuesday.
However, due to the detours and road closures that may remain, transportation may be impacted. For families who chose to evacuate or families who are impacted by the road closures, absences will be considered excused in the Blackhawk district.
The Norfolk Southern Railroad has established a Family Assistance Center to address the needs of the community and support those directly impacted.
Railroad officials say they are also supporting the efforts of the American Red Cross and their temporary community shelters through a $25,000 donation.
More information about the NS Assistance Center can be found by calling 800-230-7049 or on the web at: https://nscorp.mediaroom.com/assistance-center
Other resources for displaced families are being offered by The Brightside Project and The Way Station are shown below: