![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081019145320im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Norfolk Southern Graniteville Derailment
Final Information Update as of January 21, 2005
A collision of two freight trains in Graniteville, South Carolina just before 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2005, resulted in a release of chlorine gas to the atmosphere. The derailment and release has killed several people, injured about 250 more, and required the evacuation of about 5,400. Hazmat cars involved in the derailment include three chlorine cars (gas) and one sodium hydroxide (liquid).
Images (added 01/26/05)
Return to Homes
Schools
Traffic
Crash Site Activities
Environmental
Hospitalizations
Law Enforcement
Fire Service
Family Pets
Government Services
Local Assistance Center
Aiken County Summary Court
Aiken County 211
Map of Re-entry Day 13 - Small (3 x1) Large (11x17)
Other related links - Aiken County Government 
- As of 1500 hours on 19 January 2005, the chlorine purging process was complete. Air monitoring readings of 0.0 ppm were detected at the intake and outtake of the railcar. A hole was cut in the tank to allow Norfolk Southern contractors to pressure wash the railcar. The railcar will be loaded onto a flatcar and transported to Augusta, GA prior to departure to Altoona, PA where it will be impounded, subject to further investigation by NTSB. Prior to the completion of the chlorine transfer, EPA provided oversight to Norfolk Southern contractors during all off-loading operations.
Next Steps (updated 01/21/05)
- No further response actions planned on behalf of EPA. SC DHEC will take responsibility for any further environmental protection issues related to this incident.
- EPA ERT and START personnel to remain on-site to continue data management on 20 January 2005.
Norfolk Southern Train Derailment, Graniteville - Final EPA Situation Report
RETURN TO HOMES - (added 1/17/05) Phase VI - Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Graniteville residents living in the following areas can begin returning to their homes: Canal Street to Gregg Street; Taylor Street to Cottage Street. Businesses along Main Street, south of Gentry Street, may reopen Tuesday, as well.
Residents remain displaced from an estimated 75 homes in the immediate area of the derailment. The area is bordered by Canal Street, Gregg Street, Seastrunk Street and Cottage Street. Beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, residents living within this area should call Aiken County Planning and Development to schedule a free inspection of their home’s plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems: (803) 642-1525. The following schedule has been established for the inspections:
- Wednesday, January 19: Canal to Gregg Streets; Seastrunk to Gentry Streets;
- Thursday, January 20: Canal to Gregg Streets; Gentry Street to Aiken Road;
- Friday, January 21: Canal to Gregg Streets; Aiken Road to Cottage Street.
In the event repairs are needed, Aiken County Planning and Development will issue a correction notice. Homeowners are asked to schedule repairs by calling the Norfolk Southern Claims Office: (800) 230-7049.
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency will not permit residents of an estimated 50 homes to return to their residences until the chlorine transfer is completed and the derailment site is deemed safe. This affects residents living in an area bordered by Canal Street, Gregg Street, Gentry Street and Cottage Street.
Phase V - Beginning 8:30 a.m. Monday, Graniteville residents living in the following areas can begin returning to their homes: east of Gregg Street; north of Seastrunk Street; south of Taylor Street. Since Thursday, an estimated 4500 people returned home. Residents will be asked to show proof of residence at traffic control points. Homeowners have been allowed to return to those neighborhoods because air quality has been proven to be safe.
CURFEW - A 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. curfew is in effect for Graniteville residents living in the following areas: Ascauga Lake Road and Gregg Highway to Aiken-Augusta Highway; Ergle Street to Mount Arthur Drive.
Phase IV - Beginning 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Graniteville residents living in the following areas can begin returning to their homes: south of Seastrunk Street; north and south side of Hester Lane. Since Thursday, an estimated 4200 people returned home. Residents will be asked to show proof of residence at traffic control points. Homeowners have been allowed to return to those neighborhoods because air quality has been proven to be safe.Phase III - Beginning 8:30 a.m. Saturday, more Graniteville residents living in the following areas began returning to their homes: south and west of Mount Arthur Drive; Bethlehem Circle; Elbert Street, Hewitt Street; Mack Lane east of Aiken Road; Cherry Lane; Davis Road; Laurel Avenue; Pine Street; south of Mack Lane between Church Street and Aiken Road; Shazach Lane; Blowing Wind Terrace; south and east of Brooks Street; south of Seastrunk Street to Gregg Street; A.P. Nivens Street; south of Arbute Street; Gregg Street south of A. P. Nivens Street; Hope Lane; Polatty Street; Canal Street south of Arbute Street; Baker Street; south of Aiken – Augusta Highway. Since Thursday, an estimated 4200 people returned home. Residents will be asked to show proof of residence at traffic control points. Homeowners have been allowed to return to those neighborhoods because air quality in those areas has been proven to be safe.
Phase II: Beginning 8:30 a.m. Friday, an estimated 1500 Graniteville residents living in the following areas began returning to their homes: Quimby Town: Granite Drive to Fourth Street, including Marshall Street to Canal Street; Taylor Street and Kalmia Apartment Drive to Gregg Highway. An estimated 2000 people returned home Thursday. Residents will be asked to show proof of residence at traffic control points. Homeowners have been allowed to return to those neighborhoods because air quality in those areas has been proven to be safe.
Phase I - Beginning Thursday, January 13, 2005, at 8:30 a.m., Graniteville residents living in the following neighborhoods can begin returning to their homes: Trolley Line Road and Laurel Drive to Gregg Highway; all homes west of Ergle Street; all homes south of Highway 421. Residents will be asked to show proof of residence at traffic control points. Homeowners will be allowed to return because air quality in these areas has been proven safe. If residents have concerns about returning home, they can arrange for a home inspection. The South Carolina Highway Patrol will distribute information a its checkpoints. A one-mile evacuation remains in effect for all other Graniteville residents.
HOME INSPECTIONS: (updated 1/16/05) The Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, a contractor for Norfolk Southern Railway, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducted about 70 home inspections on Saturday, bringing the total number of home inspections to more than 550. No home tests detected a presence of chlorine. Any residents, businesses and churches with concerns about their homes and buildings can arrange for an inspection by placing a request card on their front door or by calling: 1-800-230-7049.
OPERATION HOME SAFELY: (updated 01/16/05) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed a fact sheet describing what residents should do when they return to their homes. It provides sensible advice about air and water inside their homes, what to do about medicines, and who to contact for more information. These sheets are available at several locations, including the Local Assistance Center.
- Monday: Closed for Martin Luther King Holiday
- Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: TBA
View the Operation: HOME SAFELY, Things to Do Upon Your Return Home fact sheet (About PDF Files, 1pg, 859kb)
SCHOOLS: (updated 1/16/05) On Tuesday, classes will resume at their regular time at Leavelle – McCampbell Middle School and Byrd Elementary School. The EPA and DHEC conducted air quality and surface testing on Wednesday at both schools. The air the children will breathe is safe, and anything they touch will be clean. The Aiken County School District successfully ran a complete check of all electrical, plumbing, computer and alarm systems. A professional service is cleaning all floors and horizontal surfaces, kitchen utensils, as well as, pots and pans. All food, except unopened canned goods, will be discarded and replaced with fresh food. Heating and air conditioning filters are being replaced and these systems will cycle fresh air through the buildings several times before children come back to school. On Monday, between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., each school will hold an open house to give any interested parents an opportunity to inspect the facilities. School buses will run on a normal schedule as closely as possible. Students who arrive late will receive an excused absence.
TRAFFIC: (updated 1/15/05) All lanes of the Aiken – Augusta Highway have reopened to traffic. In Aiken, all lanes of Richland Avenue between Gregg Street and 118 are open.
CRASH SITE ACTIVITIES: (updated 1/17/05) Three rail cars remain at the derailment site, the damaged tanker and two cars containing sodium hydroxide, which is used in the chlorine transfer process. Park beautification is complete.
ENVIRONMENTAL: (updated 1/17/05) The EPA is monitoring is transfer of chlorine vapor from the damaged rail car. Air and surface sampling was completed Monday at Studio Seven. No tests detected a presence of chlorine. Air and surface testing is scheduled for Tuesday at Family Medical Center. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control representatives are available throughout the affected area to assist residents answer their questions.
(1/16/05) The EPA is monitoring is transfer of chlorine vapor from the damaged rail car. Air and surface sampling was completed Sunday at Graniteville First Baptist Church, Aiken County Magistrate Office and bank complex. No tests detected a presence of chlorine. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control representatives are available throughout the affected area to assist residents answer their questions and ensure the completion of home inspections. Residents are encouraged to check on the well being of their neighbors.
(1/15/05) The EPA is monitoring is transfer of chlorine vapor from the damaged rail car. The federal agency is reassigning responsibility for air quality monitoring to the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, a contractor for Norfolk Southern Railway. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control representatives are available throughout the affected area to assist residents answer their questions and ensure the completion of home inspections. Residents are encouraged to check on the well being of their neighbors.
(1/13/05) DHEC and the Department of Natural Resources finished their evaluation of the fish kill along Horse Creek and Langley Pond. This information will relayed to Norfolk Southern for cleanup. DHEC will be development of a crash site clean-up plan to include the removal of kaolin and diesel fuel, and to assess presence of chlorine in the soil. Air monitoring continues across the Graniteville area, with no additional readings indicating levels of chlorine beyond the crash site. The EPA is working with school officials to conduct air monitoring and sampling at Byrd Elementary and Leavelle-McCampbell Middle School. An initial inspection of air quality inside the Graniteville post office has been completed.
AVONDALE MILLS - Contact Avondale Mills for updates on plant operations: (706) 340-5260.
HOSPITALIZATIONS: (added 01/14/05) Since the beginning of the accident, Aiken County Emergency Medical Services reports 550 people sought treatment at area hospitals. 22 remain hospitalized.
LAW ENFORCEMENT: (added 01/14/05) The Aiken County Sheriff's Office, in cooperation with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, holds warrants for the arrests of 15 individuals, who changed the address on their driver's license to a Graniteville address and later were reimbursed by Norfolk Southern Railway for expenses.
FIRE SERVICE: (updated 01/16/05) The Graniteville-Vaucluse-Warrenville Fire Department has completed relocation of its headquarters to the former Community Services building on Ascauga Lake Road. The fire service and HAZMAT returned today to an all volunteer force.
FAMILY PETS: (updated 01/16/05) The EPA and Health and Human Services is distributing information for pet owners whose animals were left in the evacuation area. For more information, visit: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/chlorine/scpets.asp.
(updated 01/14/05) Animal control officers have reunited 287 pets with their owners. An EPA veterinarian arrived Thursday to coordinate with Aiken County Animal Control on other issues. Two dogs are being sent to Columbia for autopsy to determine cause of death.
Aiken County Control reports six pets have died since being returned to their owners. An Aiken veterinarian cautions owners to watch their pets closely for signs of depression, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pets with any of these symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian immediately. Displaced residents can call Aiken County Animal Control at 617-8326, 617-8306, or 617-8305, for information on retrieving their pets.
GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Mail services for the evacuated area has been forwarded to the Clearwater Post Office. The Graniteville Magistrate's Office is closed until further notice. All law enforcement-related business can be conducted at one of the other Aiken County Magistrate offices.
LOCAL ASSISTANCE CENTER: (updated 01/17/05) The Norfolk Southern Local Assistance Center will reopen Tuesday, January 19, from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Beginning Wednesday, NS will relocate the Local Assistance Center to the former Community Services building on Ascauga Lake Road, in Graniteville. The LAC will be open at its new location between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The center currently is located at First Presbyterian Church on Barnwell Avenue.
AIKEN COUNTY SUMMARY COURT: (added 01/14/05) Jury trials at the Graniteville Magistrate Office have been cancelled for the week of January 18-21. Anyone called for jury duty does not need to appear.
AIKEN COUNTY 211: Citizens can dial 211 in Aiken County for information on a variety of social services. If you calling from a cellular phone, please dial 648-9900.
The information above was taken from a FACT Sheet provided by the Aiken County Sheriff's Office. Any questions regarding the information above should be directed to Lt. Michael Frank, at (803) 645-6331, or Jim Beasley, DHEC at (803) 960-8034.
For information about the contents of this page please contact Sherry Maddox