Norfolk Southern announced it would expand reimbursements beyond the previously set 1-mile radius to include all of the 44413 zip code for East Palestine and the surrounding region after the toxic train derailment on February 3.

In a letter, Norfolk Southern stated the railroad is committed to ensuring the health and safety of the village and helping "the community recover and thrive."

Rep. Bill Johnson released the following statement regarding Norfolk Southern’s decision to expand the area for reimbursement.

“This is a big deal for those residents of East Palestine who were impacted, but who lived just outside the original perimeter,” said Johnson. “I heard from many of them who also evacuated out of an abundance of caution, which is why I sent the letter to Norfolk Southern on their behalf.”

Johnson wrote to CEO Alan Shaw on February 14.