(The Southern Illinoisan posted the following article by Christ Mathis on its website on February 11.)
TAMAROA, Ill. — Ten-year-old Paige Brocaille couldn’t wait to get back to her own bed. Her brother, Kyle, 6, said he missed his television most.
They were barely in the door of their rural Tamaroa home Tuesday afternoon when they ran to their bedrooms to check on their possessions. Then they put out fresh food for their pet cats, Tiger and Skitter.
Their mother, Karen, tossed a load of laundry into the washer as soon as she entered the door, but their father, Jeff, had to make one stop before he even entered the house.
“I checked the garage. The four-wheelers are still there,” he said with a thumbs-up and big a smile.
The Brocailles were glad to be home after two days of forced exile caused by Sunday’s derailment of a train carrying hazardous chemicals.
The family left their home on Shamrock Road Sunday afternoon with nothing but “a change of clothes, and that was about it,” Karen said.
“I’ve worn the same clothes for two days to work,” said Jeff, Perry County’s supervisor of General Assistance. “They have been washed,” he said, and chuckled.
The Brocailles live just beyond the one-mile radius of the evacuation zone, so they were allowed to return home. Previously, anyone living within three miles of the crash site were evacuated.
The Brocailles have been staying with relatives, along with four other families, and Karen said they “haven’t had it as bad as a lot of other people. The kids just thought it was an extended slumber party.”
Ricky and Mary Nippe also got to return home Tuesday with their family. They live on Kimzey Road.
“It feels great,” Ricky said. “I’ve been ready. We didn’t think we’d get pushed out, because we’re two miles from the crash site. We had a house full of relatives and friends staying with us after they evacuated the town. Then we all had to evacuate.”
About 800 people remain barred from their homes, including Mary Nippe’s parents, Judy and Rich Bathon. Judy, the Tamaroa village clerk, said she can’t wait to get home.
“I want my Bath and Body and my cozy pajamas,” she said.
Theresa Burdel took a break from chasing her 16-month-old daughter, Sarah Lentz, long enough to say she’s had enough hotel living for a while. They, along with Sarah’s father, Darian Lentz, and Theresa’s children, Melody Burdel, 12, and Cassandra Burdel, 9, have been staying at the Super 8 Motel.
Burdel said she’s grateful for a place to stay, but she is eager to go home.
“I want to get the kids back on familiar ground,” she said.
Burdel was able to go to her home on U.S. 51 about a block from the crash site for a few minutes Tuesday to feed the pets and grab a few things. She said she could see the derailed cars and heard helicopters flying over the site.
“I was just ready to get out of there,” Burdel said.
Burdel said she’s nervous about going home because of the hazardous materials, but she’s glad to hear that testing has revealed no soil, air or water contamination beyond the derailment site.
Others said they are pleased there appears to be no vandalism.
Authorities said arrangements are being made to offer free pet exams, and home testing is available for those who desire it.
The Canadian National Railroad will set up an office soon to handle claims from Tamaroa residents.