Quebecor World Reports on Ike Transportation Disruptions
Ike Still Causing Delays: Fuel Shortages, Limited Road Access / September 16, 2008 / Quebecor World News Flash - Issue #230 follows in its entirety:
Many roadways in the hurricane-affected areas are still not safe for travel due to flooding, power outages and debris, allowing very limited access and forcing delays in the distribution of mail, newsstand and newspaper delivery. According to FEMA and local officials, the power outages and flooding at the state’s oil refineries are forcing shortages in refined diesel fuel and gasoline and it may be up to ten days before refineries are producing at full capacity. Travel into and around the affected areas is still extremely discouraged and curfews have been placed on several counties (Galveston, Rosario, Baytown, Fort Bend, Harris, Jefferson, Orange) in order to help deter looting while recovery efforts continue in the areas that are still highly evacuated.Quebecor World Logistics will continue to do everything within reason to deliver to these areas.
USPS Hurricane Ike Update
http://www.usps.com/communications/news/serviceupdates.htm#ike
Tuesday, Sept. 16, 11 a.m. ET.
Houston, TX
All Post Offices and Postal Service operations within the city of Houston (ZIP Code area 770) have reopened Monday, with the exception of Oak Forest Station 77018 and Windmill Station 77075. Some deliveries may be affected by safety concerns created by downed power-lines and trees.
All surrounding areas (ZIP Code areas 773, 774, 775, 776 and 777) encompassing the greater Houston, Beaumont, Bay City, Freeport and Galveston areas have resumed operations except for Texas City 77590-77592, Galveston 77550-77555, Seabrook 77586, Wallisville 77597, Orange 77630-77632, Gilchrist 77617 and Sabine Pass 77655. Alternate delivery services will be announced later as they can be established.
All operations in the greater Bryan area (ZIP Code area 778) are operating normally.
DROP SHIPMENTS
Customer dropships are being accepted at Houston P&DC, North Houston P&DC, Beaumont P&DC, and Bryan P&DF.
All Post Offices in ZIP Code areas 779, 783, and 784 have resumed full operations.
Louisiana
West Lake, Vinton and Sulphur Post Offices are open with limited service.
The following Post Offices are inaccessible due to flooding:
Delcambre 70528, Avery Island 70513, Dulac 70353, Montegut 70377, Barataria 70036, Grand Isle 70358, and Lafitte 70067.
Hackberry and Cameron Post Offices are also inaccessible due to floodwaters. Efforts are underway to establish a temporary Post Office.
Residents of Hackberry and Cameron can pick up their mail at Lake Charles Drew Station.
Columbus, OH
The following Post Offices have suspended Retail Operations: Linden (43211), Northland (43229), Clintonville (43202) and Hilltop (43204).
Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati Airport Mail Facility has suspended retail operations. Customers are being redirected to the Hebron, KY, Post Office, 1684 Petersburg Rd, Hebron, KY 41048.
Illinois
The following Illinois Post Offices have suspended operations due to flooding:
Hull, IL 62343 - relocated to 165 W. Quincy Street, Kinderhook, IL 62345.
Mozier, IL 62070 - relocated to 100 Mississippi River Road.
Iowa
The following Iowa Post Offices have suspended operations:
Palo, IA 52324 - operating in West Station in Cedar Rapids.
Greene, IA 50636 - operating in Marble Rock, IA 50653.
Oakville, IA 52646 - operating in Morning Sun, IA.
New Hartford, IA 50660 - operations have moved to Cedar Falls, IA 50613.
Counties issuing disaster declarations:
Anderson; Brazos; Caldwell; Houston; Henderson; Kerr, Lamar; Leon; Madison; McLennan; Menard; Navarro; San Jacinto
Cities issuing disaster declarations:
Corsicana; Crockett; Grapeland; Kennard; Latexo; Lovelady; Milano; Menard; Mt. Pleasant; Palestine; Rockdale; Thorndale; Waco
Over-the-Road Conditions: Road Closures
Texas
http://apps.dot.state.tx.us/travel/road_conditions2.htm
Louisiana
http://emergency.louisiana.gov/Releases/RoadClosures.html
Illinois
http://dot.state.il.us/road/closures.txt
Indiana
http://www.in.gov/indot/2400.htm
Fuel Shortages in Brief
Current reports out of Houston reflect gasoline shortages and the situations only getting worse. Damage to the Texas area refineries and Gulf of Mexico oil rigs appears to be minimal creating reason for hope that fuel deliveries will get back on track soon, but there are still many areas outside Texas feeling the effect of Hurricane Ike at the pump.
Fuel shortages caused by the recent hurricanes are affecting Maryland, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and North Carolina.
Some of major oil platforms were toppled by Ike, and that the storms have dramatically reduced production and affected the industry’s distribution network. Product supply is very challenged in the affected areas. A large sector of the region’s fuel manufacturing capacity has been temporarily shut down. Major pipelines are operating, but at reduced rates.
With fuel supplies disrupted by the hurricane season, the EPA has approved a waiver of certain Clean Air Act requirements on selling low emission diesel fuel in Texas to ensure there is enough fuel there. The EPA will allow suspension of the Texas Low Emission Diesel (TxLED) requirements until Sept. 30, otherwise there would likely be a shortage of TxLED compliant diesel because of the unusual supply circumstances. However, the federal regulations for Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel must still be met.
Quebecor World Logistics will continue to stay abreast of the impacts involved with Hurricane Ike and provide further updates as information becomes available.
For more information regarding Quebecor World Logistics or for access to past news publications, visit our Web site at www.qwlogistics.com.
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Ron A. Sing
Quebecor World Logistics
630-343-4729
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Tags: delivery disruptions, Hurricane Ike, Quebecor World Logistics Newsflash, severe weather