Weather and Critical Events

Disruptive winter storm bringing snow, ice, frigid temperatures to Gulf Coast 

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Another strong, disruptive winter weather event will unfold across the U.S. this week, but this time the Gulf Coast is preparing for impacts. 

Polar air is plunging south from Canada to start the week and meeting with moisture across the Gulf Coast from East Texas to Florida. As a center of low pressure moves over the Gulf, the storm will strengthen and bring snowfall of 3-5 inches, ice accumulation of up to 1 inch, and temperatures down into the upper teens and low 20s. 

Forecasters are calling...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/disruptive-winter-storm-bringing-snow-ice-frigid-temperatures-to-gulf-coast

Deadly California wildfires close interstates, may disrupt freight across LA area

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At least three wildfires are burning out of control on the north side of the Los Angeles metro area, driven by dry conditions and extremely high winds. 

The Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire tore through neighborhoods from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena, burning thousands of structures and claiming at least five lives so far. 

Conditions fueling the fires, specifically the high winds, are making travel conditions dangerous as gusts over 50 mph overturn trailers on the highways.

The California...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/deadly-california-wildfires-close-interstates-may-disrupt-freight-across-la-area

Second winter storm this week takes aim at Texas, mid-South

Snow, ice and freezing rain will impact travel from Thursday through the weekend 

Following the first major winter storm of 2025 that dropped record snowfall from the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic, a second system will bring major impacts further south to end this week. 

Winter weather advisories have already been issued across New Mexico and Texas as arctic air takes hold and moisture starts to fill in. Thursday night into Friday morning, forecasters are expecting several inches of snow for areas...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/second-winter-storm-this-week-takes-aim-at-texas-mid-south

Midwest braces for snow, ice and coldest air of season so far

Travel impacts and power outages expected from Missouri to New England 

A major winter storm is forecast to impact the central Midwest up to the Northeast over the weekend, bringing bitterly cold temperatures, freezing rain, sleet and snow to states from Missouri to Maine.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service expect temperatures from Kentucky northward to dip into the teens with wind chills approaching zero to negatives. Precipitation will develop behind the cold front that will make...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/midwest-braces-for-snow-ice-and-coldest-air-of-season-so-far

New year, new access: NCDOT hopes to partially reopen I-40 on Jan. 1

The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced plans to partially reopen Interstate 40 on New Year’s Day after the remnants of Hurricane Helene crumbled sections of the road.

The section of I-40 that is scheduled to reopen on Jan. 1 is through a 9-mile stretch of the Pigeon River Gorge in Tennessee and North Carolina. The stabilization project will allow vehicles to travel at 40 mph on one lane in both directions.

The interstate was washed away in September when storms caused by...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/new-year-new-access-ncdot-hopes-to-partially-reopen-i-40-on-jan-1

Hurricane Rafael forecast to miss US, giving battered coast a break

Hurricane Rafael is not expected to hit the United States after beginning a more westward track, giving ports along the Gulf Coast a break from severe storms. 

Rafael slammed into Cuba on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm, knocking out the island’s electrical grid and leaving 10 million people without power. The storm is expected to weaken Friday as it moves over the Gulf of Mexico.

Swells from the storm are likely to be life-threatening along the Gulf Coast through the weekend, the National...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/hurricane-rafael-forecast-to-miss-us-giving-battered-coast-a-break

Hurricane Rafael could hit US later this week, but impacts unclear

Hurricane Rafael is expected to take aim at the United States after making landfall in Cuba, but the storm’s possible intensity and damage to the U.S. coast remain unclear. 

Category 2 Rafael is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane before making landfall in Cuba on Wednesday but is expected to weaken as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said. 

Rafael currently has maximum sustained winds of about 100 mph. 

The Florida Keys could see 1 to 3 inches of rain and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/hurricane-rafael-could-hit-us-later-this-week-but-impacts-unclear

Medical equipment makers call for more domestic production, tariffs

An alliance of medical manufacturers is advocating for tax incentives, tariffs, and enforcement of labor and environmental standards to encourage more U.S. medical equipment production amid concerns over supply chain disruption following recent hurricanes and continued competition with foreign trade partners.

The American Medical Manufacturers Association (AMMA) advocates for U.S. businesses that produce medical personal protective equipment (PPE) and the input materials needed to manufacture it.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/medical-equipment-makers-call-for-more-domestic-production-tariffs

Texas driver honored as TCA Highway Angel for saving lives in Helene aftermath

The Truckload Carriers Association named a Texas truck driver a Highway Angel after he used his trailer to keep people alive during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Michael Dorsey, 56, of Kingwood, had just finished loading his truck in Erwin, Tennessee, when the town was ravaged by catastrophic and deadly flooding from the Nolichucky River. Dorsey used his trailer to help 11 people seeking refuge from flooding caused by the Category 4 storm that wreaked havoc across the Southeast, notably in...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/texas-driver-honored-as-tca-highway-angel-for-saving-lives-in-helene-aftermath

Florida port gets $9.5M in Milton storm funding

Florida’s SeaPort Manatee will receive $9.5 million in state emergency funding to aid recovery from Hurricane Milton.

The funding comes as fuel, food and other goods begin to move through the maritime hub near Tampa Bay.

The port serving southwest and central Florida suffered an estimated $200 million in damage when Milton made landfall Oct. 9.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the funding Monday at the port.

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https://www.freightwaves.com/news/florida-port-gets-9-5m-in-milton-storm-funding

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