Midwest Logistics Disrupted
March 20, 2019
The record flooding in the Great Plains and Midwest has resulted in damage to and closure of freight rail and trucking operations throughout the region. Increased snowmelt and rain this week are expected to continue hampering rail and truck traffic into next week. The flooding is expected to impact transportation further south as the flood waters reach and rise in the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
Businesses, including ILMA members, with freight passing through the Midwest and Great Plains, should look for news from their shippers and can anticipate delays of at least 72 hours.
Union Pacific and BNSF Railway have reported rail closures and washouts in the Midwest, and they have begun rerouting traffic by offloading freight to trucks. Limited station access and increased rail halts, however, are hampering the ability to re-route cargoes, including in tanker cars. Truck availability is serving as a bottleneck, and it will compound delivery delays and will result in increased logistics costs.
“ILMA is monitoring the flooding situation with the priority being the safety and welfare of the affected residents,” said ILMA CEO Holly Alfano. “However, members experiencing logistics issues should let the ILMA office know so that the Association can communicate with government agencies, if necessary.”