Weather and Critical Events

Hurricane Rafael, which struck Cuba as a Category 3 storm, is not expected to hit the United States.

Hurricane Rafael is expected to take aim at the United States after making landfall in Cuba, but the storm’s possible intensity and damage to the U.S. coast remain unclear.

The American Medical Manufacturers Association is advocating for tax incentives and tariffs to encourage more U.S. medical equipment production amid concerns over supply chain disruption following recent hurricanes and ongoing competition with foreign trade partners.

The Truckload Carriers Association named Texas driver Michael Dorsey a Highway Angel for his efforts to save lives during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

SeaPort Manatee near Tampa, Florida, is slated to get millions of dollars in emergency state funding to help recover from the effects of Hurricane Milton.

More than 86% of U.S. healthcare providers across the country are currently experiencing IV fluids shortages in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, sparking a discussion on nearshoring America’s medical manufacturing.

Hurricane Milton caused at least $160 billion in damage and economic loss, according to a preliminary estimate from AccuWeather.

Freight railroads from the Gulf Coast to Miami are still assessing damage and making repairs after Milton made landfall near St. Petersburg late Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane.

Nonprofit groups loaded with crucial disaster-relief and medical supplies are at staging areas outside Tampa, Florida, after Hurricane Milton made landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast Wednesday before leaving a trail of destruction across the state.

Nine Florida ports and one in Georgia remained closed Thursday in the wake of devastation caused by Hurricane Milton.

Hurricane Milton smashed into Florida around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday as a Category 3 near Siesta Key and was making its way across Florida on Thursday.

Class I railroads have rationalized their networks to the extent that there is very little redundancy, leaving few efficient alternatives in the event of a catastrophic event like Hurricane Helene.

Norfolk Southern says its line between Asheville, North Carolina, and Newport, Tennessee — heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene — will be out of service until at least late January, while assessment of the route between Asheville and Old Fort, North Carolina, is ongoing.

Hurricane Milton has struck Florida, less than two weeks after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. American Logistics Aid Network brings together nonprofits and supply chain companies to effectively target disaster relief. But what does that actually entail?

Food retailers with distribution hubs in Hurricane Milton’s path are preparing for the storm to make landfall overnight Wednesday.

As the Southeast attempts to return to normalcy in the wake of Hurricane Helene and prepare for Hurricane Milton, which is expected to make landfall near Tampa, Florida, Wednesday night, drone operators are filling a critical niche in disaster response and recovery.

Nationwide tender rejections are already above 5%.

Extreme weather and other disruptions have stressed supply chains worldwide, but as a Category 4 hurricane barrels toward Port Tampa Bay and possibly other major ports, things are likely to get worse.

Locomotives and freight cars are being moved to higher ground and railroad operations are winding down as Hurricane Milton is only a few hours from making landfall between Tampa Bay and Sarasota on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Fast, accurate freight market data is critical in periods of volatility.

Category 4 Hurricane Milton is expected to hit Florida late Wednesday or early Thursday, bringing catastrophic flooding and life-threatening conditions less than two weeks after Helene battered the state.

Inbound loads to Lakeland are being rejected at elevated rates.

The stress on Florida’s fuel supply chain is rapidly intensifying as Hurricane Milton closes in on the state’s central-west coast.

A demand spike in truckload markets can leave independent drivers particularly vulnerable to fraud and theft.

Airlines are informing shippers not to send cargo to airports in the expected path of Hurricane Milton as the airline industry implements contingency plans to move people and equipment in […]

Some Florida ports shuttered Tuesday ahead of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to continue growing in size before making landfall as a life-threatening storm.

Freight railroads are on high alert as massive Hurricane Milton heads toward Florida.

Tampa’s port is bracing for Hurricane Milton as the projected Category 5 storm rapidly strengthens as it barrels toward the state.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind for fleets considering to haul a load for FEMA or any other disaster relief project 

“The Waffle House Index” illustrates the severity of damage in areas affected by extreme weather.

Logistics companies are stepping up to help in Hurricane Helene’s aftermath.

Tristen Utter was nearly finished with his first delivery to North Carolina when he was caught in the disastrous and deadly remnants of Hurricane Helene, stranding him for days with no way to contact loved ones.

The International Longshoremen’s Association donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross’ Hurricane Helene Relief fund on Wednesday.

National Guard units from all over the U.S. are heading to North Carolina to assist victims of Tropical Storm Helene.

Hundreds of roadways are closed in North Carolina, including parts of two interstates, snarling delivery routes and posing a challenge for the logistics community as it works to get supplies to residents.

Rail service across many of Norfolk Southern’s lines from Georgia to West Virginia remain out of service.

CSX Transportation’s former Clinchfield Railroad mainline has seen devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene’s once-in-a-generation flood.

Ports are assessing damage after Hurricane Helene roared into Florida as a Category 4 storm.

As Hurricane Helene inches closer to Florida and a possible strike looms over East and Gulf Coast ports, the Jacksonville Port Authority has provided a weather and labor update.

Most Florida ports were closed Thursday ahead of Hurricane Helene’s arrival in the Big Bend region, threatening what meteorologists called a deadly Category 2 storm expected to grow stronger before making landfall.

Florida ports are preparing for Hurricane Helene, which is expected to make landfall in Florida on Thursday and bring life-threatening conditions with it.

Ports along the Gulf Coast are monitoring a storm in the Caribbean that AccuWeather meteorologists predict will strengthen into a hurricane and hit the area on Thursday.

Typhoons this year have ravaged areas in Asia, home to some of the busiest ports for global supply chains. Billions of dollars in damage has occurred across industries, especially agriculture.

Hurricane Francine, which made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 storm, did not cause widespread disruptions to local ports.

A life-threatening storm surge and extreme winds are expected to batter the Louisiana coast Wednesday as Hurricane Francine makes landfall.

Tropical Storm Francine is expected to make landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday as a hurricane, bringing a life-threatening storm surge with it.

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Francine in the Gulf of Mexico could develop into a hurricane threatening coastal Louisiana and northern coastal Texas on Wednesday.

Weather forecasting agency AccuWeather is reducing its projected number of named storms during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season following an “unusual” August with low tropical activity.

Cargojet, the largest all-cargo airline in Canada, has sent two freighters for repairs after a recent hailstorm.

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events underscore the need for supply chain resilience and adaptability.

As extreme heat and numerous natural disasters continue to hit the U.S. this summer and beyond, trucking companies must prepare to avoid disruption.

After roaring into Florida Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane, Tropical Storm Debby is crawling up the East Coast.

Hurricane Debby slammed into Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 1 storm on Monday, causing flooding as it makes its way toward the East Coast.

Extremely rough seas have made it impossible for commercial shipping to operate around the lower end of South Africa, adding to supply chain disruptions.

Ports in Houston and Galveston remain closed Tuesday in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

Ports along the Texas Gulf Coast remained closed as Hurricane Beryl moved through the area Monday.

Ports prepare for Hurricane Beryl’s impact as the storm moves through Mexico and toward South Texas.

Severe weather is wreaking havoc in parts of South Texas and northern Mexico as Tropical Storm Alberto drenches the region.

The first tropical storm warning of the 2024 hurricane season was issued Tuesday, as South Texas prepared for a storm that could cause flooding along the Gulf Coast.

Now on demand on WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is joined by Barry Kukkuk; Dr. Mark Manera; Alan Adler

This year’s hurricane season is expected to be more active than normal, and the Texas coast is forecasted to be at risk for a multitude of severe weather.

NOAA released its May hurricane forecast, where it spells a warning to shippers to prepare for significant disruptions. It is the most aggressive forecast on record.

Ronald Britt was driving his 80,000-pound truck around 60 mph on Interstate 55 when he crashed into a vehicle in a “super fog” that spurred multiple crashes on the roadway, authorities said.

Major weather events in the past few years have greatly affected supply chains and logistics. It’s likely to be the same in 2024, as El Niño causes different effects in different regions.

Barge rates for moving grain on the Mississippi have continued to rise as water levels remain low.

Hurricanes can destroy key infrastructure for freight transportation. Emergency freight can demand thousands of truck drivers. 

Operations temporarily ceased in limited areas of CSX’s network as Hurricane Idalia swept through Florida and Georgia.

Supply chains are in good shape, and Hurricane Idalia mostly spared key supply nodes, according to the executive director of the American Logistics Aid Network. 

Hurricane Idalia briefly intensified into a dangerous Category 4 storm early Wednesday morning before making landfall as a high-end Category 3 on Florida’s west coast.

Several tractor-trailers loaded with critical disaster-relief supplies provided by the nonprofit group Convoy of Hope are en route to staging areas Tuesday as Hurricane Idalia barrels toward Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Even as city, state and federal officials urge residents to flee ahead of high winds and flooding, truck drivers answer the call to haul Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) loads to areas where hurricanes are expected to strike.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency as Tropical Storm Idalia nears the Gulf Coast.

The scarred areas of Maui remain an active incident area, ALAN’s Kathy Fulton says.

Union Pacific is seeking to bring operations back to normal at two of its California subdivisions that were hit by Tropical Storm Hilary.

Union Pacific’s Mojave and Yuma subdivisions are out of service due to high waters and mud over the tracks caused by Tropical Storm Hilary; electrical outages at some terminals are also impacting operations.

Spam is making donations to those in need after the fires in Maui, Hawaii, building on its more than 75-year close relationship with the state.

ALAN has expanded its website to include information about recovery needs in Hawaii.

NOAA now says there is double the chance for above-normal Atlantic hurricane activity from May forecasts.

Tomorrow.io’s satellite constellation will transmit near-real-time scans of precipitation, ocean and atmospheric profiles for any point on Earth.

Canadian railway CN is monitoring wildfires across several provinces and is adjusting operations as needed.

The capacity at Amazon’s Atlanta facility has doubled to 2.4 million disaster relief items ready for shipment.

At least six people are dead and dozens more injured after a dust storm caused several pileups on Interstate 55 in Illinois on Monday.

Increasingly volatile weather threatens safety and efficiency throughout transportation. Tomorrow.io’s weather intelligence is finally allowing teams to focus on drivers, not manual weather monitoring.

Weather has a significant impact on retailers, but most still rely on manual forecasting. Tomorrow.io’s advanced weather intelligence is changing the game.

Amid recession fears, industry experts reveal freight’s most untapped differentiator— next-generation weather technology.

Markets along the East Coast in the path of Tropical Depression Nicole are seeing relatively normal fluctuations in rejections in volume compared to previous severe storms.

Nicole is forecast to move through Florida to Georgia on Thursday and then to the Carolinas on Friday.

Hurricane Ian has not left any diesel fuel shortages in its wake and prices are steady. That’s not the case in California, where diesel is not as crazy as the gasoline market.

Here’s the latest on Ian’s supply chain impact from FreightWaves’ team of reporters and market experts.

Hurricane Ian is forecast to take a northwest turn Thursday night and make a second landfall along the South Carolina coast on Friday.

Major carriers are temporarily suspending service in some Florida ZIP codes as downgraded storm rages on.

Hurricane Ian came ashore in Fort Myers, Florida, just before noon Wednesday. Transportation is starting to feel the impact, with road and port closures in effect.

Ian came ashore as the fifth strongest hurricane to hit the United States, tied Laura and Ida.

A nonprofit trucking group is partnering with a volunteer-run disaster-relief organization to collect and deliver critical supplies as Hurricane Ian intensified into a Category 4 system and is expected to pound Florida’s southwest coast late Wednesday morning.

Hurricane Ian could slash the flow of Florida products to companies and consumers in the United States and abroad.

Hurricane Ian has shifted its track slightly east, with landfall now expected to be south of the Tampa Bay area.

Port officials and carriers prepare for hurricanes and other emergency situations year-round.

FEMA released a list of the first steps it is taking to prepare for relief efforts tied to Hurricane Ian.