A powerful storm that wrecked havoc Monday in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, has caused a freight slowdown at the commercial border crossing in Laredo, Texas.
“Due to last night’s storm, power on the Mexico side is out and affecting north and south bound traffic,” said Armando Taboada, assistant director of field operations at the Laredo Field Office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in an email to customs officials and media.
“Railroad operations at Laredo are on hold due to debris on rail tracks. Kansas City Southern is already addressing this concern,” Taboada said.
Nuevo Laredo is the sister city of Laredo, just across the U.S.-Mexico border.
An overnight storm knocked out power for thousands of residents in both cities. Strong winds — gusts of up to 40 to 50 mph — were blamed for knocking over trees, street signs and possibly overturning a tractor-trailer in Nuevo Laredo, according to news outlet KGNS.
Taboada said communication is ongoing with Mexican Tax Administration Service’s (Servicio de Administración Tributaria, or SAT), which handles cross-border transactions for the country.
All other 7 ports of entry [in South Texas] are open in case urgent shipments need to be crossed, Taboada said.
Taboada also added:
—Southbound traffic – Mexico customs has implemented contingency to clear shipments on bridges, including the World Trade and Colombia Solidarity bridges.
—Northbound traffic – Mexico customs is only allowing empties at this point.
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