Happening Now
Hurricane Isaac Interupts Transportation Across the Southeast
August 28, 2012
Written By Sean Jeans Gail
The scheduled landfall of Hurricane Isaac has disrupted transportation across the southeastern U.S., halting passenger trains, air service, and transit operations in much of the region.
There was some good news, as Amtrak's Silver Service (Silver Meteor and Silver Star) resumed normal operations today. Service had been suspended between Orlando and Miami on Sunday due to Tropical Storm Isaac.
However, Isaac was upgraded from a Tropical Storm to a Category 1 hurricane earlier today, putting Gulf Coast residents on high alert. Amtrak announced that all service to and from New Orleans will be suspended today and tomorrow, with "no alternate transportation is available to and from New Orleans and the three cities where Amtrak service will temporarily originate and terminate." A Bloomberg Newsreporter quoted an Amtrak employee warning passengersthat “they’re closing the floodgates.”
Up to date information can be found on Amtrak.com:
Sunset Limited, Trains 1 & 2
This three-days-weekly service from Los Angeles and Tuscson will terminate and originate in San Antonio, with no Amtrak train service until further notice in Houston and Beaumont, Texas, or in Louisiana.
Texas Eagle, Trains 21 & 22
This daily Chicago-San Antonio service continues without interruption, including the Longview-Houston Thruway bus connection.
Crescent, Trains 19 & 20
This daily service from New York and Washington will terminate and originate in Atlanta, rather than New Orleans, with no service until further notice in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
City of New Orleans, Trains 58 & 59
This daily service from Chicago will terminate and originate in Memphis, rather than New Orleans, with no service until further notice in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Passengers who have paid but choose not to travel due to this service disruption can receive a refund or a voucher for future travel. Some reservations booked online can be modified or canceled on Amtrak.com or by using the free Amtrak mobile app.
"On behalf of Amtrak’s onboard service staff, I want to thank the Rail Passengers Association for honoring their hard work with this award. The past couple years have indeed been difficult for Amtrak onboard service staff – coping with furloughs and job insecurity, adapting to changing protocols and services, not to mention the unfortunate events such as a tragic derailment and a fatal shooting. Nevertheless, our dedicated members at Amtrak have handled these hurdles with the care, attention and diligence for which they’re known. We thank Rail Passengers for their acknowledgement of our members’ hard work and, as always, look forward to seeing you on the rails."
Arthur Maratea, TCU/IAM National President
December 21, 2021, on the Association awarding its 2021 Golden Spike Award to the Frontline Amtrak Employees.
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