April 10^th

On April 10th at 21:00 a Norfolk Southern Corp. train carrying 82 cars struck a fallen tree in Edgefield County, in the town of Trenton SC. Two locomotives and 31 of the 82 cars derailed. The derailment included five tank cars of anhydrous ammonia, two hopper cars of ammonium nitrate, five tank cars of urea liquid, two cars of electric transformers, one tank car of sulfuric acid, one tank car of ferric chloride, one residue tank car of hydrochloric acid, one hopper car of sodium chlorate, one tank car of elevated temperature liquid, one hopper car of kaolin, and ten additional cars carrying nonhazardous materials.  The derailment involved the release of ammonium nitrate, kaolin and a small amount of oil from a locomotive. Initial assessments performed indicated there may be an additional release of unknown materials. A mile and a half evacuation was implemented but has now been lifted except for three residents in close proximity to the derailment.

April 11^th

EPA OSC Englert and START deployed early on April 11th and are onsite. EPA, SCDHEC, and Norfolk Southern have integrated into Unified Command. Subsequent assessments have determined that there has been a release of ammonium nitrate, kaolin, urea and a small amount of oil from a locomotive. No other cars carrying hazardous materials have been determined to be leaking at this time.

Air monitoring by Norfolk Southern is taking place and EPA has deployed VIPER air monitoring equipment to compliment Norfolk Southern air monitoring.

Numerous portions of the derailment area are not accessible due to derailed cars. Wrecking operations are being conducted so that anhydrous ammonia and other cars can be accessed. Wrecking operations are anticipated to continue into the next operational period.

Salters Pond and Shaw Creek are not impacted.

Media interest is high and Norfolk Southern has designated a media point of contact.

April 12^th

The majority of wrecking operations are complete. A portion of one anhydrous ammonia tank car’s outer shell had to be removed to facilitate a complete damage assessment, but it has been that confirmed that all five anhydrous ammonia tank cars are in stable condition as are the sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid tank cars.

Assessments completed to date have determined that the derailment involved a release from an ammonium nitrate hopper car, a kaolin hopper car, a urea tank car and a small amount of hydraulic oil from one of the locomotives. Air monitoring by Norfolk Southern and EPA continue. Norfolk Southern air monitoring efforts are focused in the immediate area surrounding the derailment and close by residences.

EPA has relocated a single point monitor to a residential neighborhood to the Northwest to account for change in wind direction. To date, air monitoring has detected no releases.

EPA has requested the following documents and they have been provided by Norfolk Southern: Air Monitoring Plan, Precautionary Evacuation Plan, ICS Form 214 Activity Log, ICS Form 215 Operational Planning Form and ICS Form 201 Incident Briefing Form (also being used as an IAP). ICS Forms are being provided for each operational period.

Tank cars carrying hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and anhydrous ammonia have been stabilized and are awaiting transport off Site. Transport is anticipated to occur by rail. Cars are stable and being monitored by Norfolk Southern response personnel and Norfolk Southern Police 24 hours a day.

April 13^th

Unified Command has lifted and EPA and START have demobilized. SCDHEC is periodically monitoring Site activities during remediation. EPA and SCDHEC plan to return to the Site to provide oversight when anhydrous ammonia tank cars are removed or their contents off loaded and is maintaining communications with Edgefield County EMA and Norfolk Southern Corp.

April 14^th

Norfolk Southern has uploaded air monitoring data to EPA’s SCRIBE database. The NS database showed a max ammonia concentration of 1.3 ppm in the work area and max VOC concentration of 1 ppm also in the work area. EPA air monitoring data has detected no ammonia or VOCs. Norfolk Southern is continuing to provide around the clock security and air monitoring during remediation activities at the Site.

April 16^th

EPA OSC Englert returned to the Site with SCDHEC to oversee a transfer of anhydrous ammonia from the most substantially damaged tank car to a truck onsite. OSC Englert recommended Norfolk Southern deploy additional air monitoring to the southwestern boundary of the Site. The transfer proceeded effectively. OSC Englert demobilized during on April 16^th. SCDHEC will provide oversight during the remainder of remediation activities.

April 17^th – April 22^nd

Norfolk Southern contractors completed transfer of anhydrous ammonia from remaining tank cars to tanker trucks. Residual materials contained in the anhydrous ammonia tank cars will be flared off. The nearby resident will remain relocated during this time. Site remediation continues with oversight from SCDHEC. On April 22^nd Edgefield County Emergency Management Authority (EMA) held an after action review (Hot Wash) of the response to the derailment. Attendees in person and by phone included EPA, SCDHEC, Edgefield County EMA, personnel from Norfolk Southern Aiken County Hazmat, Aiken County EMA, American Red Cross, Norfolk Southern, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, Edgefield Fire Department, Edgefield County Hazmat, Trenton Fire Department, and others.  

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

OSC and START deployed

EPA, SCDHEC, and Norfolk Southern have integrated into Unified Command

VIPER deployed

Site Safety and Operational Briefings ongoing

Wrecking operations started

Rear portion of train removed from sight

Locomotives re-railed

Completed initial damage assessment

Emergency Response Ongoing

Clear wreckage from rail bed

Constant air monitoring specific for anhydrous ammonia and VOCs

Checking pressure of anhydrous ammonia cars

Excavate and secure spilled ammonium nitrate and kaolin

Perform full damage assessment on all tank cars.

Contain and control any leaks found

Install new track panels

Remove loaded cars from site or transfer in place based on damage assessment

Open rail line

Transfer lading from loaded cars

Site Safety and Operational Briefings Continue

Cars re-railed or removed

Roads built

Response Activities Continue

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues