White House Tries to Explain Turning Down FEMA Relief to East Palestine

EXCLUSIVE: The White House explained why Ohio Governor Mike DeWine was turned down. Mike DeWine asked for disaster relief this Week in the wake of a derailment of a Train hauling toxic chemicals.

Fox News Digital was told by a Biden administration official that the government has provided Provides extensive support to the surrounding communities This was the result of an earlier chemical release in eastern Ohio. Officials stated that FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency), which usually offers relief to people affected by natural disasters such as hurricanes or other natural catastrophes, wasn’t well equipped to handle the state’s current demands.

“The Biden Administration is mobilizing a robust, multi-agency effort to support the people of East Palestine, Ohio. Since February 3, the Environmental Protection Agency has had personnel on the ground,” Fox News Digital was informed by the official. “FEMA is coordinating with the emergency operations center working closely with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.”

“But what East Palestine needs is much more expansive than what FEMA can provide,” They went on. “FEMA is on the frontlines when there is a hurricane or tornado. This situation is different.”

BIDEN ADMIN TURNS DOWN OHIO’S REQUEST FOR DISASTER ASSISTANANCE AFTER TOXIC DERAILMENT

Joe Biden is present at a briefing at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters, May 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The official highlighted four agencies — the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Transportation and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — that they said are actively assisting local residents on the ground.

These comments echo a statement by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre on Thursday, in which she stated that the administration’s priority is the “health and safety of the community.”

DeWine’s Office said Thursday it was in daily contact with FEMA. However, the agency had not responded to DeWine. “continues to tell” Governor Ohio stated that Ohio is not eligible to receive disaster assistance. FEMA replied that it was eligible Coordinating with EPAThe state is supported by HHS, CDC and HHS.

PETE BUTTIGIEG BLAME TRUMP FOR OHIO TRAIN DERAILMENT MID CRITICISM : ‘WE ARE CONSTRAINED’

“The state needed help testing the water and air  — EPA is providing it. They called for an investigation into the derailment  — the Department of Transportation is on it. The Governor today asked for help to conduct additional public health testing and assessments — we’re deploying teams from HHS and the CDC to get that done,” Fox News Digital spoke with a Biden official.

“Each federal agency has its own unique role here, and we’ve mobilized an interagency team to get the people of East Palestine the support they need,” The official stated.

On February 3, the train carrying toxic chemicals was thrown off its tracks in East Palestine, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

About 50 cars were transported by vinyl chloride (a deadly colorless gas) on a Norfolk Southern Railroad train Feb. 3. Ohio: Derailed in East PalestineA small community located near the Ohio-Pennsylvania frontier is called “Essex”.

To prevent an explosion, the company decided to release gas from derailed cars. The release caused local residents to flee the area, but they were assured that it would be safe to return the following day.

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Officials from Ohio State and the EPA Have locals reassured Based on their testing, they have determined that the air is safe for breathing.

Experts are concerned that air and water may not be safe.

“This really looks like a nuclear winter,” Fox News interviewed Sil Caggiano on Tuesday, a local specialist in hazardous materials. “Pretty much, yeah, we nuked this town with chemicals.”

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