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[CNJRoss]

Charleston (WV) Daily Mail, 2/17:

 

Amtrak suspends service between Cincinnati and Charlottesville

In the aftermath of Monday’s tanker train derailment and fire, Amtrak announced Tuesday that it was suspending its Cardinal service between Cincinnati and Charlottesville until CSX repairs its tracks.

 

Until tracks can be repaired, Monday’s oil train derailment and fire has resulted in the suspension of Amtrak service for all stations on the Cardinal route between Cincinnati and Charlottesville, Va.

 

The suspension affects all West Virginia stations on the Cardinal route: Huntington, Charleston, Montgomery, Thurmond, Prince, Hinton, Alderson and White Sulphur Springs. Stations along the route in Kentucky and some parts of Virginia are also affected.

 

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[CNJRoss]

AP via The Florida Times-Union, 2/18:
 

CSX oil train derailment in West Virginia was 1 of 3 with newer, safer tank cars

 

MOUNT CARBON, W.Va.  — The fiery derailment of a CSX train carrying crude oil in West Virginia is one of three in the past year involving tank cars that already meet a higher safety standard than what federal law requires — leading some to suggest even tougher requirements that industry representatives say would be prohibitively costly.

 

Hundreds of families were evacuated and nearby water treatment plants were temporarily shut down after cars derailed from a train carrying 3 million gallons of North Dakota crude Monday, shooting fireballs into the sky, leaking oil into a Kanawha River tributary and burning down a house nearby. It was snowing at the time, but it is not yet clear if weather was a factor.

 

The train's tanks were a newer model — the 1232 — designed during safety upgrades voluntarily adopted by the industry four years ago. The same model spilled oil and caught fire in Timmins, Ontario on Saturday, and last year in Lynchburg, Virginia.

 

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[CNJRoss]

The Charleston (WV) Gazette, 2/17:
 

Day after derailment, cleanup and restoration begin

 

MOUNT CARBON — Cleanup crews began removing the hulks of derailed and burned-out railroad tank cars Tuesday evening, and residents began to get water and electricity back, after a train carrying crude oil derailed, caught fire and exploded in western Fayette County on Monday.

 

Emergency shelters, set up after hundreds of residents were evacuated from the area, were closed Tuesday evening after CSX, the company whose train derailed, provided hotel rooms for them.

 

SNIP

 

State officials said fewer than 800 people were affected by outages related to lines damaged by the initial fire. They also said they believed between 100 and 125 residents were evacuated or displaced, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency put that number at 2,400 in its daily report.

 

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The Federal Railroad Administration’s acting administrator, former Charleston resident Sarah Feinberg, and chief safety officer, Robert Lauby, were among several investigators from the FRA and the federal Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration who were on the scene Tuesday.

 

“Once the site is secured, officials will begin the investigation into the cause of the derailment,” U.S. Department of Transportation spokeswoman Suzanne Emmerling said Tuesday morning.

 

SNIP

 

Amtrak’s thrice-weekly Cardinal service, which runs through Fayette County on its way between Chicago and New York City, listed today’s run as canceled on the Amtrak website. Friday’s run is listed as “sold out,” which the service often does to block ticket sales on annulled runs. Tickets are being sold online for Sunday’s run.

 

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[CNJRoss]

U.S. Coast Guard news release, 2/18:

 

Unified Command established for West Virginia Train Derailment, response continues

MONTGOMERY, W.Va. – The Coast Guard, Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, CSX, the West Virginia Departments of Environmental Protection and Military Affairs & Public Safety, including the National Guard, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and local agencies established a unified command in response to the West Virginia Train Derailment near Mount Carbon on the Kanawha River, Monday.

 

“The top priorities for response personnel remain the safety of the community and responders, and mitigating the impact to the environment,” said Coast Guard Capt. Lee Boone, Federal On Scene Coordinator for the West Virginia Train Derailment.

Response crews are continuing to deploy environmental protective and monitoring measures on land, air and in the nearby Kanawha River as well as a creek near the tracks. The response crews were able to deploy about 500 feet of containment boom as a precautionary measure to limit potential impact on the environment. The use of additional boom material is being evaluated.

 

On-scene assessments have determined that 27 cars derailed and 19 were involved in fires. Response teams have removed the rail cars that were not involved in the derailment. Response teams are beginning to remove derailed cars that have not been involved in the fires. Several small fires continue to burn at the derailment site. When safe to do so, CSX will begin transferring oil from the damaged cars to other tanks for removal from the site.  

 

No rail cars entered the Kanawha River in this incident.

 

The train consisted of two locomotives and 109 rail cars (107 tank cars and two buffer cars). It was traveling from North Dakota to Yorktown, Virginia.

 

 All of the tank cars were the CPC 1232 models.

 

One person was treated for possible respiratory problems and released, but no other injuries have been reported. The cause of the derailment is under investigation.

 

A community outreach center has been established by CSX to address community needs as a result of the train derailment. The outreach center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Glass-In Riverside Room at the Glen Ferris Inn on U.S. Route 60 in Glen Ferris. Local residents can call 877-835-5279 for additional information or assistance.

 

A Joint Information Center has been established at the West Virginia Train Derailment Incident Command Post in Montgomery, West Virginia to disseminate response information for the incident.

Additional updates will be provided, as more information is available. Click here to view previous releases.

[CNJRoss]

West Virginia MetroNews, 2/19:
 

Federal official: CSX train going 33 mph in 50-mph zone prior to derailment

 

FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. – A CSX train hauling Bakken crude oil was traveling well below the 50 mile-per-hour speed limit when 27 tanker cars derailed near Montgomery on Monday, according to the acting head of the Federal Railroad Administration.

 

Sarah Feinberg confirmed on Thursday’s MetroNews “Talkline” the train was going 33 mph at the time of the derailment in the Mount Carbon community. That information came from the train’s event recorder, which captured data from the 109-car train at the time of the derailment.

 

The recorder offered some clues but “nothing particularly remarkable” in terms of identifying potential causes of the accident and subsequent explosions   .   .   .

 

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[CNJRoss]

USCG/Joint Information Center news release, 2/19:

 

UPDATE: West Virginia Train Derailment response continues

MONTGOMERY, W.Va. – The West Virginia Train Derailment Unified Command continues its recovery, response and clean-up efforts in the vicinity of the incident near Mount Carbon, Thursday.

 

In conjunction with federal, state and local organizations on-scene, CSX began re-railing operations on Wednesday to remove the derailed cars that have not been involved in the fires.

 

Six rail cars were re-railed for removal by recovery crews from the incident site. They also commenced oil transfer operations from the damaged rail cars Wednesday and will continue transfer operations until the product is safely removed.

 

“Safety remains the first priority of the command, with intense focus on community safety and protecting responding personnel,” said Coast Guard Capt. Lee Boone, response Federal On Scene Coordinator. “The unified command is working to ensure the safety of the community before making the decision to allow residents to return to their homes, and doing so as soon as possible.”

 

A small ground fire continued to burn overnight.

 

Environmental protection measures are in place on land, air and in both Armstrong Creek and the Kanawha River. Air and water monitoring are ongoing, and results continue to demonstrate no impact to the air quality or the Kanawha River. No rail cars entered the Kanawha River in this incident.

 

The Unified Command is working with the Red Cross to address residents’ needs, taking into account winter storm conditions. The outreach center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Glass-In Riverside Room at the Glen Ferris Inn on U.S. Route 60 in Glen Ferris. Local residents can call 1-877-

Tell-CSX (1-877-835-5279) for additional information or assistance.

 

The cause of the incident is under investigation. For all inquiries regarding the investigation contact Federal Railroad Administration at 202-309-6403.

Additional updates will be provided, as more information is available.

[CNJRoss]

USCG/Joint Information Center news release, 2/19:

 

Update 2: Residents in Boomer Bottom allowed to return home; evacuation order still in place for Adena Village and Mount Carbon
CSX Outreach Center temporarily moving locations for weekend

 

MONTGOMERY, W. Va. — The Unified Command announced Thursday that residents evacuated from Boomer Bottom following the West Virginia Train Derailment near Mount Carbon, are now allowed to return home. The evacuation order is still in effect for residents of Adena Village and Mount Carbon.

 

The decision to lift the evacuation order was made by the Unified Command based on the results of on-going air monitoring and the safety of the site.

Transportation will be provided from hotels where evacuees are staying.

 

Effective Friday, February 20, CSX will temporarily relocate its Outreach Center to Valley High School in Smithers, W. Va., to accommodate increased volume as residents return to their homes. Valley High School is located on Greyhound Lane in Smithers, W.Va. The Outreach Center will be open 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday. The Outreach Center at the Glen Ferris Inn will be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but will re-open on Monday to address any remaining unresolved issues.

 

Residents are asked to bring identification (driver’s license or government ID) and AEP power bill to the Outreach Center. Residents are encouraged to bring any receipts documenting evacuation-related expenses. Households that experienced extended power outage must have the person whose name is on the bill present in order to receive compensation. If possible, only one household representative should come to check in at the Outreach Center.

 

Residents with questions about returning to their homes who cannot reach the Outreach Center or have related concerns may contact 1-877-TellCSX (1-877-835-5379).

[CNJRoss]

USCG/Joint Information Center news release, 2/19:

 

Update 3: Unified Command Responds to West Virginia Derailment

MONTGOMERY, W.Va.— The response teams worked to get residents back in their homes and made significant operational progress, Thursday. Residents in Boomer Bottom are now allowed to return home. The Unified Command continues its response to the West Virginia Train Derailment near Mount Carbon that occurred, Monday.

 

Highway 61 remains closed due to safety concerns. The Unified Command is working on options to reopen portions of Highway 61 for residents, and people who need access for employment reasons.

 

“The safety of the residents of Montgomery and our response personnel remain the top priority,” said Dennis Matlock, the Environmental Protection Agency Federal On-Scene Coordinator, who assumed duties from Coast Guard Capt. Lee Boone Thursday. “We also continue efforts to contain, treat and recover product from the derailment scene.”

 

Environmental protective and monitoring measures remain in place on land, air and in both Armstrong Creek and the Kanawha River. Air and water monitoring are on-going, and results continue to demonstrate no impact to the air quality or the Kanawha River. No rail cars entered the Kanawha River in this incident.

 

The Federal Railroad Administration has confirmed that during the incident, the train was traveling at 33 mph in a 50 mph zone.  The train was carrying 3.1 million gallons of Bakkan crude oil. Approximately 6,810 gallons of oily-water mixture have been recovered from containment trenches dug along the river embankment near the derailment site.

 

On-scene teams safely re-railed all but one of the derailed cars that had not been involved in fire. The team also began pumping operations from some of the remaining derailed cars, and that process will continue around the clock. Teams will then prepare to remove those cars from the derailment site.

 

CSX continues to work with the Red Cross and other relief organizations to address residents’ needs, taking into account winter storm conditions. Additional information is available by calling 1-877-Tell-CSX (1-877-835-5279). The CSX Outreach Center will move from the Glen Ferris Inn to Valley High School in Smithers on Friday (open noon to 8 p.m.), Saturday (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and on Sunday (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.).

 

Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

[CNJRoss]

USCG/Joint Information Center news release, 2/20:

 

UPDATE 4: RESIDENTS IN ADENA VILLAGE AND MOUNT CARBON ALLOWED TO RETURN HOME

 

MONTGOMERY, W. Va. —The Unified Command for the West Virginia Train Derailment announced Friday that residents evacuated from Adena Village and Mount Carbon are now allowed to return home, with the exception of those residents living in five homes immediately adjacent to the site.

 

The Unified Command, the West Virginia Department of Transportation and its Division of Highways have worked together to reopen one lane of Highway 61 after a review of the road’s safety and accessibility. Crews and police escorts are stationed along Highway 61 to facilitate traffic through the area and the safe return of residents to their homes. Residents and other drivers are asked to use caution when driving along Highway 61 as equipment and crew members continue to work and stage clean-up efforts nearby. For questions about road conditions or closures, please contact the West Virginia Division of Highways at 304-779-2860.

 

The decision to lift the evacuation order was made by the Unified Command based on the results of on-going air monitoring and the safety of the site. Transportation will be provided from hotels where evacuees are staying. The evacuation order for residents in Boomer Bottom was lifted Thursday.

 

“After careful evaluation, we have determined it is safe to reopen one lane of Highway 61 and allow residents to return to their homes,” said Dennis Matlock, Federal On-Scene Coordinator. “Safety of the residents remains our top priority. We encourage residents and drivers to continue to exercise caution when travelling through the area.”

 

Representatives from CSX are meeting directly with the remaining five evacuated homeowners to develop specific plans to accommodate their needs. These households remain under the evacuation order due to significant activity related to ongoing operations. Residents may be temporarily allowed to return to their homes for short periods of time with safety representatives to gather necessary personal belongings (e.g. medicine). The Unified Command will continue to assess these properties to determine when it is safe for these residents to return.

 

On Thursday, the Unified Command announced that CSX was temporarily relocating its Outreach Center to Valley High School in Smithers, W. Va. this weekend, to accommodate increased volume as residents return to their homes. Valley High School is located on Greyhound Lane in Smithers, W.Va. The Outreach Center is open 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday. The Outreach Center at the Glen Ferris Inn will be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but will re-open on Monday to address any remaining unresolved issues.

 

Residents are reminded to bring identification (driver’s license or government ID) and AEP power bill to the Outreach Center. Residents are encouraged to bring any receipts documenting evacuation-related expenses. Households that experienced extended power outage must have the person whose name is on the bill present in order to receive compensation. If possible, only one household representative should come to check in at the Outreach Center.

 

Residents with questions about returning to their homes who cannot reach the Outreach Center or have related concerns may contact 1-877-TellCSX (1-877-835-5379).

[CNJRoss]

USCG / Joint Information Center news release:

 

Update 5: West Virginia Train Derailment Response

MONTGOMERY, W.Va. — This site will no longer be the primary source for updated news releases regarding the West Virginia Train Derailment Response.

 

For future news releases regarding this response please visit the Department of Environmental Protection news site here.

 

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WV DEP / Joint Information Center news release:

 

Update 5 - West Virginia Train Derailment Response

2/20/2015
MONTGOMERY, W.Va. — This site will now be the primary source for updated news releases regarding the West Virginia Train Derailment Response.

 

Please keep checking this site for updates regarding this response.

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