Weather and Critical Events

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

Hurricane impact on medical manufacturing renews talks on nearshoring, domestic production

While the public eye focuses on Hurricane Milton after its destructive path across Florida this week, some analysts are sounding the alarm about new data from Hurricane Helene’s devastating push into southern Appalachia just two weeks prior.

Healthcare improvement company Premier Inc. (NYSE: PINC) released survey data on Thursday showing more than 86% of U.S. healthcare providers across the country are currently experiencing IV fluids shortages in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

In the report,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/hurricane-impact-on-medical-manufacturing-renews-talks-on-nearshoring-domestic-production

CSX, short lines in recovery mode after Hurricane Milton

This story originally appeared on Trains.com.

TAMPA, Fla. — Freight railroads from the Gulf Coast to Miami are still assessing damage and making repairs after Milton made landfall near St. Petersburg late Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane.
According to CSX’s most recent customer advisory, all routes north of Jacksonville are open with no anticipated issues, as is the railroad’s mainline to Callahan and south to near Anthony on the railroad’s Wildwood Subdivision.
Washout repairs are still...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/csx-short-lines-in-recovery-mode-after-hurricane-milton

Hurricane Milton deals estimated $160B blow in damage, economic loss

Hurricane Milton caused at least $160 billion in damage and economic loss, according to a preliminary estimate from AccuWeather.

The Category 3 hurricane hit Florida Wednesday night, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Total losses could be up to $180 billion, making it one of the most damaging storms in Florida history, AccuWeather said. 

Milton came on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which AccuWeather projected caused at least $225 billion in damage and economic loss. 

“With Hurricane...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/hurricane-milton-deals-estimated-160b-blow-in-damage-economic-loss

Nonprofits in logistics space speed medical supplies, other aid to Florida

Nonprofit groups loaded with crucial disaster-relief and medical supplies are parked at staging areas in Florida after Hurricane Milton, which was a Category 3 storm when it struck Florida’s Gulf Coast Wednesday night, spread destruction across the state.

Kelby Marlin, transportation director at Convoy of Hope, said the faith-based organization has two tractor-trailer loads of supplies at its staging area in Perry, Florida. That location could change depending on the hurricane’s trajectory.

FedEx...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/nonprofits-in-logistics-space-speed-medical-supplies-other-aid-to-florida

Hurricane Milton slams into Florida, leaving trail of destruction

Hurricane Milton smashed into Florida around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday as a Category 3 near Siesta Key and was making its way across Florida on Thursday.

Milton left a trail of destruction in its wake, leaving millions without power, shredding the roof of Tropicana Field and killing at least four people in its path. The storm was moving at 18 mph and was expected to move toward the Bahamas Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said. Additional rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is expected, along with flash...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/hurricane-milton-slams-into-florida-leaving-trail-of-destruction

Norfolk Southern line into Asheville to be closed at least 3 months

This story originally appeared on Trains.com.

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern says its line between Asheville, North Carolina, and Newport, Tennessee — heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene — will be out of service until at least late January, while assessment of the route between Asheville and Old Fort, North Carolina, is ongoing.

In the area hardest hit in late September, on the line between Salisbury, North Carolina, and Morristown, Tennessee, assessments have determined that approximately 21,500...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/norfolk-southern-line-into-asheville-to-be-closed-at-least-3-months

10 ports remain closed in Hurricane Milton’s aftermath

Ten ports, including two of Florida’s key commercial ports along the Gulf Coast, remained closed Thursday in the wake of devastation caused by Hurricane Milton.

Port Tampa Bay and Seaport Manatee were closed to commercial vessels after the U.S. Coast Guard set port condition “Zulu” on Tuesday.

Officials for Port Tampa Bay said they are performing preliminary assessments on the port’s landside and seaside operations.

“Our port is currently without power. Some damage was observed on numerous...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/10-ports-remain-closed-in-hurricane-miltons-aftermath

Railroads have no choice but to rebuild after Hurricane Helene

By Chase Gunnoe/Trains.com

The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Skepticism spread throughout the railroad community after Hurricane Helene’s devastating once-in-a-generation floods wiped out roadbeds, destroyed bridges, and left most of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee unrecognizable. Some in the industry expressed doubt that CSX and Norfolk Southern would invest the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/railroads-have-no-choice-but-to-rebuild-after-hurricane-helene

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