Severe Flooding Creates Havoc on Railroads Serving the Eastern U.S.

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ATLANTA –– The South and Midwest have been inundated with storms and heavy rainfall for the past several days.

Accuweather reports that at least 19 people have died since the storms began, with at least 10 in Tennessee and the remainder in Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky and Indiana.

Norfolk Southern, CSX, and BNSF have suffered various weather-related disruptions during the past several days.

Norfolk Southern

On Saturday, April 6, Norfolk Southern issued the following service alert:

“A prolonged storm system continues to impact portions of our network with repeated rounds of heavy rain forecast through Sunday. Norfolk Southern has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of our people, customers, and infrastructure while working to minimize disruptions to your shipments.
At this time, customers should anticipate delays in the following areas due to significant rain accumulation.

• “A Line (Memphis, TN – Pocahontas, TN): Significant rainfall has impacted the area, and in collaboration with our interline partners, NS will be diverting some traffic to alternative interchanges.
• W Line (St. Louis, MO – Danville, KY): Recovery efforts are underway from the torrential rains and flooding with the biggest segment of concern being the St. Louis to Mt. Vernon where we have curtailed operations as of Sunday morning.  We have speed restrictions for all trains moving across other parts of this corridor.
• CNOTP (Chattanooga, TN – Cincinnati, OH): We are monitoring closely and have reduce train speeds.

“Norfolk Southern crews are actively patrolling and inspecting routes in the impacted area. In the event of a disruption, every effort will be made to safely restore service as soon as conditions allow.  Customers are strongly encouraged to review local forecasts and Department of Transportation advisories for updates on road and infrastructure conditions in affected areas.”

CSX

In a similar vein, CSX reported weather-related problems on its lines:

“Please be advised that severe weather conditions continue to impact communities across the CSX network. The storm system that swept through last week and over the weekend is bringing heavy rain and high winds on Sunday, with its effects stretching from Texas to Ohio as it continues moving east.

“At CSX, safety comes first. We are committed to protecting our team members, customers, and the communities we serve. To ensure safe operations and minimize service disruptions, we have implemented network-wide measures to address these challenges.

“Currently, the CSX South west Region is most significantly affected:

• Severe flooding has caused a washout and power outages on the Memphis Subdivision (Bruceton, Tenn., to Memphis, Tenn.).
• Weather-related conditions have slowed traffic into and out of the CC Subdivision (Hemphill, Ky., to Bell County, Ky.), as well as the Henderson Subdivision (around Madisonville, Ky.).
• A flash flood warning remains in Birmingham, Ala., where rising water poses additional challenges for train movement.

“We are actively working to restore normal operations. However, we anticipate temporary delays as we manage these weather-related challenges. 

“CSX remains focused on keeping you informed of any impacts to your shipments. Updates on service recovery efforts will be shared through CSX Customer Advisories and Intermodal Real-Time Service Advisories. Should your service needs change as a result of the storm’s impacts, please notify your designated CSX contact immediately.”

BNSF

BNSF suffered several disruptions due to the bad weather. First, according to KY3 TV, the ABC affiliate in Springfield, Missouri, reported that a BNSF bridge was washed out at Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday. A train had parked adjacent to the bridge and when the flood waters washed out the bridge, several cars were derailed.

BNSF reported the following:

“On Saturday April 05, 2025 at approximately 01:30 a.m. CDT, we received a preliminary report of a train derailment near Mammoth Spring, AR which has affected the main track. Mammoth Spring, AR is approximately 2.3 miles south from Thayer, MO. BNSF personnel are responding to assess the affected area. The estimated time for opening the main track is Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m CDT.”

The railroad reported further that:

“BNSF field personnel are currently responding to multiple high water and washout events due to flooding. The track is out of service at multiple locations between the following stations.  

River Subdivision – Between Ste Genevieve, MO and River Jct, MO

Thayer South Subdivision – Between Thayer, MO and Memphis, TN

Thayer North Subdivision – Between West Plains, MO and Thayer, MO

Estimated time for opening these locations has not been determined at this time.”