A February train derailment skyrocketed the small town of East Palestine, Ohio, into the national spotlight as residents contended with the release of toxic chemicals and a controlled burn that sent a cloud of smoke into the air.
As it turns out, train derailments aren't that uncommon. Nearly a thousand are happening each year around the country.
Spectrum News' Chuck Ringwalt and Micaela Marshall visited two communities who experienced a similar situation to East Palestine: Graniteville, S.C. and Paulsboro, N.J.
They spoke with residents, first responders and local officials about their own roads to recovery and what lessons East Palestine can learn from them. They will document these conversations in a Spectrum News series called Off the Rails: Life after toxic train wrecks.
The series begins Tuesday, April 18. Stories will be available to watch on Spectrum News 1, and their stories will also be on the Spectrum News 1 app and website.