By the numbers: the cleanup and recovery of East Palestine, Ohio

It’s been nearly six months since a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine on Feb. 3, and work continues to clean up the site and help the community.

Here’s a look at the clean up so far and some of the commitments made by Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern.

Site cleanup:

The Environmental Protection Agency is overseeing ongoing cleanup of the derailment site, including excavation of contaminated soil, air monitoring and sampling of Sulphur Run, a creek contaminated by chemicals from the derailment.

• Estimated more than 26 million gallons of liquid waste shipped
• Estimated more than 80,000 tons of solid waste shipped
• More than 780 private well samples collected
• More than 1,130 EPA assistance calls
• More than 940 visits to the EPA Welcome Center

Source: EPA

Cleanup and remediation continues on the site of the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern freight train derailment, Friday, July 14, 2023, in East Palestine. (Matt Freed for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Norfolk Southern’s community contributions

Norfolk Southern said it has committed more than $63 million to the community.

That includes $25 million in upgrades and improvements at the East Palestine City Park that Norfolk Southern will fund, including a new swimming pool, a new amphitheater, three new playgrounds and baseball field improvements.

Lorne Hart, 3, of Darlington, Pennsylvania, plays in Rainbow Dreamland, part of the East Palestine City Park, Saturday, July 15, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio. Norfolk Southern has pledged to make significant upgrades to the park. (Matt Freed for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

The company says it has assisted more than 10,000 families at the Norfolk Southern family assistance center.

The railroad has also committed $8.6 million in Western Pennsylvania, near the derailment site. The Norfolk Southern train derailed in Ohio less than one mile from the Pennsylvania border. Norfolk Southern sponsored a carnival held July 25-29 in New Galilee, Pa., with $1,000 stipends to farmers for booths. The railroad also made a $1 million contribution to a community foundation and $1 million contribution to a community relief fund.

Other contributions included in the total: