Hurricane Isaac Interupts Transportation Across the Southeast

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.