(The Southern Illinoisan posted the following article by Christi Mathis on its website on February 13.)
TAMAROA, Ill. — The orange T- shirt worn by 6-year-old Marissa Knapp spoke for many of those who packed the Tamaroa Community Center Thursday. They were there to learn if they would finally be allowed to return to the homes they were forced to leave Sunday when a Canadian National Railway train derailed in their town.
“I am a railroad refugee from Tamaroa, IL. Feb. 9, 2003 to when???” read the bold black letters.
Marissa’s mom, Stephanie, made the shirt. She works at Main Street T’s in Du Quoin where she made the shirt for Marissa. Their family, including Marissa’s sister, Peyton, 10, has spent the week at the home of relatives in Du Bois and they said they couldn’t wait to get home.
Applause filled the center when village board President Bill Place announced “most people will be back in town (Thursday) starting at 8 p.m.”
Just a few blocks around the derailment remain evacuated. The borders of the “hot zone” are East First South Street on the north, Locust Street on the east, South Walnut Street on the West and an area just south of White Street on the south.
Those living one to three miles from the crash site were allowed to return home Wednesday. Officials initially indicated they hoped to further shrink the zone earlier Thursday, but a setback occurred Wednesday night when high levels of vinyl chloride, a volatile and potentially deadly substance, were detected in the area, said Chuck Genesio, director of the Du Quoin Emergency Services Disaster Agency.
Personnel were temporarily evacuated from the site. It was later discovered that the problem occurred because of chemical residue trapped in the tank liner. The chemical had already been off-loaded to another tank.
The tank was later thoroughly cleaned and moved via rail to a rural spot southwest of Tamaroa at least a quarter- mile away from any homes. Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Chamness said “No one believes there is a safety risk with this car.”
Cars containing hydrochloric acid, methanol and formaldehyde were also involved in the derailment, but by the time residents were allowed to return to Tamaroa Thursday, the chemicals had been removed from any damaged cars at the scene. The chemicals were off-loaded onto other cars or the cars were simply moved out.
Crews also worked to remove all contaminated soil to a depth of at least 4 feet — more if contamination was found. The soil was being transported via truck to the Jackson County Landfill in De Soto, a site permitted to handle special waste.
Fences were constructed around the crash site to ensure that people and animals can’t come into contact with the area until all of the contamination is gone, fresh dirt is filled in and repairs to the tracks are made.
Work could be ongoing for quite some time, officials said.
Toxicologist Dr. Glen Milner emphasized that extensive testing Thursday revealed no chemical contamination of any homes or properties. About 30 homes were tested, inside and out, and there were zero readings all around.
Officials said they will still be doing testing all over Tamaroa and will test any home or business at the request of the owner.
The school will be tested thoroughly today and school board member Tim Cockrum said the district hopes to have children back in the classroom Monday, “depending on the testing.”
Cockrum and others offered praise for all of those who have assisted the village and its residents in any way. “They did a heck of a job,” Cockrum said.
Tamaroa fire Chief Allen Valentine said Thursday evening that his department’s equipment had returned to the station and, although crews were on standby, “I’m confident things are going fine.”
The cause of the derailment is still unknown. Ron Hynes of the National Transportation Safety Board said the train was traveling below the speed limit and was in compliance with regulations as to the placement of the cars carrying hazardous materials, the way the chemicals were being hauled and other particulars. He said officials have already examined the train and found no indication of equipment problems and are now examining the track.
The remaining undamaged vinyl chloride cars were to be removed overnight Thursday. If that process goes as expected, officials hope to be able to further reduce the evacuation zone this morning.