Hurricane “Milton,” which struck Florida’s west coast on October 9, 2024, became a serious challenge for the state’s transportation system, including railroads. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Hurricane Milton

This storm, reaching Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, brought destructive winds and heavy rains, causing railway service disruptions and severe infrastructure damage.

Suspension of Rail Service

Due to the threat posed by the hurricane, many railway companies took precautionary measures and suspended their operations in advance.

• Brightline, a popular passenger railway connecting Orlando and West Palm Beach, suspended operations on October 9 and 10 to ensure passenger safety. In a company press release, it was stated that the decision to halt service was based on weather forecasts and aimed at minimizing potential risks to the infrastructure.
• Tri-Rail, a commuter railway connecting Miami to Palm Beach, also ceased operations on the same dates. Despite the network being primarily located in southern Florida, where damage was less severe, the company decided to suspend service to avoid any possible risks.
• Freight railroads, such as CSX, acted proactively, temporarily halting certain operations. Locomotives and freight cars were moved to higher ground to avoid flood damage. In some areas of the state, the hurricane caused power outages, further impacting freight services.

Damage to Railway Infrastructure

Once “Milton” passed over Florida, efforts began to assess damage and restore the transportation system. Rail companies faced various types of damage, including flooding, landslides, and fallen trees on the tracks.

• CSX and other companies have already started restoration work, assessing damage across all sections of the railway network. In some areas, water washed away tracks, requiring urgent repairs and reinforcement of embankments.
• Amtrak and other passenger railways have also begun assessing the infrastructure and are preparing to resume operations. The primary priority for rail companies remains the safety of passengers and employees, so service restoration will be gradual.

Gradual Service Restoration

In the coming days, the gradual resumption of train services is expected. Freight railroads, such as CSX, are focusing on the most damaged areas where rail replacement or infrastructure repair is necessary. Additional crews have been brought in to quickly address the aftermath of the storm.

Passenger railways, including Brightline and Tri-Rail, intend to resume their services within a week after the hurricane. According to company representatives, a reduced schedule will be in effect until full service is restored.

Future Outlook

The impact of Hurricane “Milton” highlights the importance of preparing and modernizing railway infrastructure to withstand such natural disasters. Florida’s railroads, like those across the southeastern U.S., must adapt to changing climate conditions and regularly reinforce their structures to minimize potential damage from future hurricanes.

Companies like Brightline and CSX have already announced plans to further strengthen their networks in areas prone to frequent flooding and wind damage. In particular, discussions are underway about raising track levels in critical areas to reduce the risk of flooding.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Canada Plans High-Speed Rail Construction Between Toronto and Quebec

Find the latest news of the railway industry in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the rest of the world on our page on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, read Railway Supply magazine online.

Place your ads on webportal and in Railway Supply magazine. Detailed information is in Railway Supply media kit