(The Southern Illinoisan posted the following story by Christi Mathis on its website on Febraury 14.)
TAMAROA, Ill. — The homecoming was complete in Tamaroa Friday night, as the last residents were allowed to return home with assurances that testing has revealed no chemical contamination anywhere in the city from Sunday’s train derailment.
The cause of the wreck hasn’t been determined.
Also Friday, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Perry County State’s Attorney David Stanton filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Central Railroad, whose parent corporation is Canadian National Railroad, to assure that the county and its residents are properly compensated. They also filed an order signed by the railroad stipulating the details of the cleanup plan.
Stanton said negotiations on the agreement lasted many hours, and were finally successful after intervention by Michael Chamness, acting director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Otherwise, he said it’s likely Tamaroa residents would still be homeless.
The lawsuit doesn’t seek a specific payoff, but rather asks for complete reimbursement of all costs and other relief as determined by the court. Stanton said the complaint for injunctive and other relief was the proper response to the situation because the railroad “committed a violation of the Environmental Protection Act by spilling hazardous chemicals.”
Stanton said authorities want to ensure that the site is returned to its former condition, and that everyone is properly compensated for their losses. He said it’s unknown what the costs will total.
At a news conference Friday, officials offered ample praise for everyone involved in the operationm and said there easily could have been significant loss of life and property. As it was, there were no injuries, no deaths and no damage to private property, authorities said.
“I really feel like what happened — and I’m a religious person — (showed that) somebody looked out for this community. … It could have been a lot worse,” Chamness said Friday.
He said the biggest fear was that the methanol fires would spread to a volatile breached tank of lethal vinyl chloride.
“The worst scenario that could have happened did not occur,” Chamness said. “If it had, your houses would not be standing right now,” he told residents.
Du Quoin Mayor John Rednour and the city council also praised the people of Du Quoin and the city’s Emergency Services and Disaster Agency workers.
“When there’s an emergency, Du Quoin will step forward,” Rednour said at a recent council meeting.
Chamness drew applause Friday when he recognized the efforts of hundreds of people and numerous agencies.
However, one of the biggest concerns remains: the effect of the chemicals on the environment.
Twenty-one cars derailed, and about two-thirds carried hazardous chemicals, including methanol, vinyl chloride, formaldehyde and hydrochloric acid.
Dr. Glenn Millner of the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, and John Pitzer, regional health officer of the Illinois Department of Public Health office in Marion, said that extensive testing had been completed on homes, businesses, soil and air, and that all readings have been normal.
“In our view, there is no issue of any residual chemical in anybody’s home,” Millner said.
“There doesn’t seem to be any readings whatsoever of these chemicals,” Pitzer said.
Extensive monitoring will continue for some time, as will work at the site. All contaminated soil is being dug up and replaced according to requirements approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Public Health. The sewer system will be checked, as will ditches, particularly in the Second South Street area where there was some chemical runoff.
Sandy Webster of the American Red Cross said her agency has housed 317 people in hotels and served more than 8,300 meals to residents and emergency personnel. About 30 homes were without power for 30 hours, sometimes longer. Replacing food and covering any other losses at those homes will be handled by the Red Cross too, she said. The Red Cross will be reimbursed by the railroad.
Other costs of the cleanup, such as salaries and overtime for state, regional and local personnel, are yet to be tallied. Stanton said he hopes to have a preliminary figure early next week. Some losses, like the businesses that have been closed for days, will be much more difficult to determine.
But Friday, Tamaroans weren’t worried about what they had lost. They just echoed the sentiments of Dana Fleming, a resident who wasn’t allowed back in his home until Friday afternoon.
“I’m ready to go home,” Fleming said.