Severe Weather Slows Down The Midwest
Following are Quebecor World Logistics News Flashes about disruptions to Midwest transportation and delivery due to severe weather, as well as the possible solutions to this problem. They are included in their entirety.
Damaging Weather Slows Delivery Throughout Midwest
June 13, 2008
Quebecor World Logistics NEWS FLASH - Issue #221
Damaging weather continues to disrupt transportation throughout the Midwest, with severe flooding now impacting the integrity of some intermodal structures making rail travel through the affected areas impossible, forcing Union Pacific to issue several embargoes for freight traveling in the Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin and Kansas areas. Because of the breadth of the damage and flooding, rerouting intermodal traffic is becoming increasingly difficult. In essence, every train traveling through the Midwest will be affected by the embargo placed on Chicago rail yards, as this is the central intermodal hub of the United States. Most rail companies are attempting to exit the affected areas through rail lines traveling across the lower Midwest; however, unaffected lines are limited and becoming congested. Most rail companies are expecting delays of 36 hours to one week for freight trapped in affected areas, but this estimate could expand depending on the longevity of the flooding, as severely affected tracks must be inspected to ensure that water damage has not compromised the intermodal structure. One intermodal bridge has already collapsed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa making travel to and from this area virtually impossible.
Union Pacific Update:
Network Conditions
Rainfall in parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin and Kansas has reached the 8 to 10-inch range, resulting in stream and river flooding that has washed out or weakened bridges and large sections of main line track. At this time, the most significant impact of the flooding on the Union Pacific system is in the state of Iowa where 54 of the 99 counties have been declared disaster areas. The National Weather Service continues to have much of the Midwest under flood warning.
The immediate effects of these storms include the following subdivisions:
Boone Subdivision - One main line track is out of service near Haley, IA.
Clinton Subdivision –
§ Two main line tracks are out near Cedar Rapids, IA. The Cedar River flows under a UP bridge on this subdivision and operations personnel are monitoring this bridge closely for a possible washout.
§ Two main lines are out of service near Tama, IA. This area has been damaged and repaired several times with additional repairs currently underway.
Trenton Subdivision - Our main line track is out of service between Des Moines and Kansas City. Officials ordered the drainage of Saylorville Lake near Des Moines to relieve pressure on the lake, which raised the level of the Des Moines River, taking out Union Pacific track in the area for as long as a week.
Canadian National Update:
June 13, 2008
§ Weather conditions in the Midwestern United States continue to deteriorate as, according to current weather reports, further rainfall is expected until Friday.
§ Two railway bridges are currently washed out. The first is located along CN’s Waterloo subdivision near Cedar Falls IA, while the second one is located along CN’s Omaha subdivision, near Denison IA.
§ Based on current conditions, the earliest anticipated recovery is Sunday, June 15th. In the interim, customers concerned about their shipments scheduled to move through the affected areas are encouraged to contact their Customer Service Representative for the most accurate, timely information.
§ At approximately 0030hrs CDT on Friday, June 13th, a portion of the CN main line was washed out along the Neenah Subdivision as a result of severe storm conditions in the area. The incident occurred near Oshkosh, WI, and is currently affecting the rail corridor between Chicago IL and Superior WI.
§ Customers should expect that traffic scheduled to move through the affected area will be delayed by approximately 24 hours.
BNSF Update:
Update: Flooding Hannibal, Missouri
BNSF reported carload service would be impacted due to rising water. Based on current conditions and rerouting trains, intermodal freight moving to and from Atlanta-Birmingham-Memphis will also be affected.
Customers may experience delays of 24 to 36 hours on shipments moving through this corridor.
Canadian Pacific Update:
High water levels throughout the US Midwest continue to impact segments of Canadian Pacific’s rail line between Portage, WI and Milwaukee, WI. CP train operations in this area remain suspended. CP is staging some trains and rerouting other trains around the affected area, where possible. Shipment delays of 72 hours or more should be expected.
CP personnel will be inspecting the affected areas after flood waters recede in a few days. Given the unpredictable weather patterns in the region, full operational recovery cannot be predicted at this time.
Over-the-Road Conditions
Iowa
Wisconsin
U.S. Postal Service Network Update
Iowa Flooding
Waterloo, IA, 50701
The Waterloo, IA, 50701, facility was evacuated at 8 p.m. June 9 due to flooding. All operations at the Main Post Office have been suspended. A temporary facility has been secured at 306 Thorson Avenue in Waterloo. The Waterloo Post Office also has suspended the acceptance of business mail at the office’s Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) until further notice.
Cedar Rapids, IA, 52401
Numerous evacuations have been ordered in the city and Interstate 380 has been closed down through much of the city.
All operations at the Cedar Rapids, IA, 52401, facility have been suspended. The office will not be accepting drop shipments. All drop shipments destined for Cedar Rapids 52401 must be redirected to the Quad Cities Processing & Distribution Facility, 7700 68th St, Milan, IL, 61264-9997.
The Finance Unit located at 311 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52401, has been evacuated and will have no retail services until further notice. The Main Post Office, West Station and Southeast Station are all without power.
Wisconsin Flooding
Gays Mills, WI, 54631
Due to flooding, all operations, including distribution, rural and PO Box service for the Gays Mills, WI, Post Office have been relocated to the Soldiers Grove, WI, 54655 Post Office on June 9, and will remain there indefinitely.
Viola, WI, 54664
Due to flooding, all operations, including distribution, rural and PO Box service for the Viola, WI, Post Office have been relocated to the Readstown, WI, 54652 Post Office on June 9, and will remain there indefinitely.
Quebecor World Logistics will continue to closely monitor every mode of transportation affected by this severe weather and provide updates whenever possible. We, at QWL, will continue to do everything possible to mitigate the impact of the flooding.
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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