Evacuation Ordered: Ohio Governor Warns ‘Major Explosion’ Could Send Shrapnel A Mile From Derailed Train

Governor Mike DeWine Residents of East Palestine (Ohio) have been ordered to evacuate by Representative (R-OH). Temperature changes at the scene of a train derailed caused by temperature fluctuations raised the possibility of an a “major explosion” This could send shrapnel flying just a few hundred yards from the site.

“East Palestine: Residents living within a mile of the train derailment site who have not yet left their homes are asked to immediately evacuate due to the potential of a major explosion,” DeWine tweeted Sunday evening.

East Palestine: Residents who live within one mile of the train wreckage site and have not evacuated their homes yet are asked to leave immediately due to the possibility of a major explosion. pic.twitter.com/F2BWmBipPx

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) February 6, 2023

DeWine also included a screenshot from a press release issued by his office in the tweet. It stated that anyone living within one mile of the train wreckage site would be subject to an evacuation order. “Within the last two hours, a drastic temperature change has taken place in a rail car, and there is now the potential of a catastrophic tanker failure which could cause an explosion with the potential of deadly shrapnel traveling up to a mile,” It was as follows:

“Although teams are working to prevent an explosion from happening, residents living within a mile of the site are advised to immediately leave the area,” The press release was continued. “While most individuals in the one-mile radius have already evacuated, local officials say that more than 500 people have declined to leave their homes.”

DeWine also said that he had activated Ohio National Guard to aid local authorities. Additionally, he added that the Ohio State Highway Patrol was already there, as well as the Ohio Emergency Management Agency and Ohio EPA.

The train derailed on Friday evening just south of Youngstown, Ohio, according to the initial reporting — and some 20 of more than 100 cars were reported to be carrying hazardous materials.

Since Friday, there have been fires at the site of the accident. However, officials are keeping an eye on the situation and watching out for possible changes in air quality and water quality. The town of East Palestine was originally given a shelter in place order, but Governor DeWine has asked those within a 1-mile radius to evacuate.