Record flooding wreaks havoc on rail lines in Southeast

[NS Newsfeed]

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The southeast is still recovering from what has been defined by some observers as a "once in 1,000 years rainfall event." Remnants of Hurricane Joaquin and a low-pressure system saturated much of the Carolina coastal region over the weekend, leaving behind record setting rain accumulations as far inland as South Carolina's state capital.

According to the National Weather Service, areas of Charleston received up to 26 inches of rain while locations further inland such as Sumter on the CSX Transportation Eastover Subdivision received 19 inches. The state's capital city of Columbia, more than 100 miles inland received almost 12 inches of rain.

Local media reports and shared posts through social media showed severe washouts on rail lines around Columbia on Sunday. A severe washout near Columbia on the Eastover Subdivision left the right-of-way suspended over a washed out culvert.

CSX spokesperson Kaitlyn Barrett tells Trains News Wire that following the major rainfall on the U.S. East Coast, CSX is performing visual inspections as weather dictates across the network and making operating adjustments as needed.

"The company will reduce speeds if water or scouring issues exist," Barrett adds.

Local reports in South Carolina communities shared with Trains on Monday morning that there were additional washouts on CSX's CN&L Sub. between Columbia and Laurens as well as washouts on the Orangeburg Sub. between Sumter and Cope.

Washouts on the railroad's S-Line on the Hamlet and Columbia Subdivisions were impacting freight and passenger service. The severity of those washouts has not been confirmed.

Amtrak issued a service advisory early Monday confirming the cancellation of the Palmetto train No. 90 between Savannah, Ga., and New York City. Silver Star trains No's. 91 and 92 were also suspended between New York City and Jacksonville, Fla.

Further north, Northeast Regional No. 84 between Richmond, Va., and New York City originated in Washington, while No. 94 between Newport News, Va., and Boston originated in Richmond, Va.

Norfolk Southern is also evaluating the condition of its routes in the southeast and making necessary adjustments.

"Norfolk Southern operations are being curtailed or re-routed due to flash flooding and record rainfall affecting the Mid-Atlantic East Coast areas," said NS spokesperson Susan Terpay. "Norfolk Southern continues to monitor operations closely and is taking every precaution to protect shipments that may be affected in these areas."

According to a service alert for intermodal customers posted online, the NS line in and out of Charleston was inoperable due to washouts, bridge outages, and other weather-related issues. NS personnel were already on scene early Monday to assess the full extent of damages. The railroad anticipates service to be restored by Friday.

The railroad is closing traffic destined for Charleston effective noon local time on Monday. Inbound trains are being staged at appropriate rail terminals.