EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Late Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Mike DeWine announced the lifting of the evacuation order following last week's train derailment in East Palestine that released potentially hazardous chemicals into the air.
The lifting of the order will allow the village of just under 5,000 people to return to their homes.
DeWine and EPA officials said recent tests showed the air quality is safe. In fact, residents can have the air quality in their homes tested before they come back. But officials are closely watching the water situation, particularly with chemicals in the groundwater.
East Palestine gets its water from wells. Testing on rivers, streams and drinking water wells will continue throughout the area and in the nearby Ohio River.
Kurt Kollar, a representative from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, said contaminants from the derailed tanker cars spilled into some waterways and were toxic to fish. However, he claimed data so far indicates the drinking water was protected.
After Wednesday's announcement, 3News drove around the area to get pictures of residents arriving home. There was no rush; the lights were on and no one was home.
"We know what the effects are going to be on us, but me being pregnant, what about the effects on the baby?," asked Lauren Fegert, a nurse who has three girls with another child on the way. She believes the fallout from the fumes from the derailment cannot be good.
"There are a lot of unanswered questions," she added.
Jase Harrison lives by the tracks with his mother and four brothers. He hasn't been home since the derailment last Friday. He bought his clothes at Goodwill and has been living with friends while being unable to work, yet he's not anxious to return home.
"I think we should just stay out of town. For what we know, it wouldn't be in anyone's interest to breathe that stuff in," Harrison said.
Despite the EPA having boots on the ground and the railroad cars being off the tracks, Harrison and other residents we talked to agree it's not safe to go home.
The trains are already back on the track, but it's what lingers in the air and in the water that concerns East Palestine community members the most. Yes, the roads are open, but what's next for these residents? Nothing for them will ever be normal again.
Residents wishing to see the EPA's air and water quality readings for themselves can find them on epaosc.org.
Editor's Note: The Associated Press contributed to this story