EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — One year ago, a small community in Columbiana County went to bed, not knowing Feb. 3, 2023, would change their lives forever.
"It's been a mess," East Palestine resident Sean Hutton says. "It's been a long year."
Residents vividly remember the sights and sounds from that toxic train derailment. Hutton told 3News he walked out of his home that night to see what had happened after hearing the crash.
"It sounded like a tractor trailer rolled over in front of the house," he recalled. "I watched the fire go underneath the train cars, catching other train cars on fire."
Others say they were unaware of the severity of the crash.
"I didn't realize it was that bad, honestly," Debra Buck admitted.
Yet two hours after the wreck, Hutton says the Ohio State Highway Patrol evacuated him and his family.
"We were out of our house for 11 months," he said. "I just got back into my house two to three weeks ago."
Now, he remains concerned for his two children — ages 3 and 7 — as they return home.
"It's a weird feeling," he expressed.
Meanwhile, Buck lives near the railroad tracks, and continues to harbor concerns even as officials preach progress. She adds she'd like to move out of East Palestine some day.
"I don't drink the water. I still buy bottled water," she said. "That's just personally me. I just don't trust the water."
And the sights and sounds of the crash remain with the citizens of this small town. Some don't see change in the near future because of the activity on the tracks.
"When I hear the train, I still get a little jumpy," Buck mentioned. "I cringe every time I hear the train."
"My house is still shaking whenever they come through," Hutton added.