U.S. ports, railroads give latest updates as Matthew inches closer

At 11:00 a.m. EST Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said the Category 4 hurricane was 25 miles west/northwest of Nassau Bahamas and about 180 miles southeast of West Palm Beach, Fla.    Several ports and Class 1 railroads have issued operational updates as they brace for Hurricane Matthew.
   At 11:00 a.m. EST, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a public advisory that said the Category 4 hurricane was 25 miles west/northwest of Nassau, Bahamas and about 180 miles southeast of West Palm Beach, Fla. NHC said the storm was moving northwest at 14 mph. Reports from an Air Force plane indicated maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, the NHC said.
   The latest update from Port Miami says the port tunnel is closed and cargo terminals will remain closed until further notice.
   Port Everglades’ latest update says it remains open landside for outbound deliveries of gasoline only and the estimated lock down will be at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, depending on wind conditions. Waterside facilities are closed at Port Everglades.
   Port Canaveral has remained closed since 12:00 p.m. Wednesday.
   Jaxport’s latest update from yesterday afternoon says its marine terminals were scheduled to close Thursday at 3:00 p.m.
   U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a release Thursday that says trade operations at the Port of Savannah and the Port of Brunswick were to be suspended at 12:00 p.m. Thursday.
   The South Carolina Ports Authority’s latest update says it will resume normal operations at all terminals Thursday, including normal gate hours beginning at 6:00 a.m. for the Wando Welch and North Charleston terminals.
   Class 1 railways have also taken action in preparations for Hurricane Matthew.
   Norfolk Southern said Wednesday it is bracing for the storm by repositioning rail equipment away from the Southeast Coastal areas and moving shipments inland to secured rail yards. Traffic in route is being held at several yards across the Norfolk Southern system in order to alleviate congestion in affected regions, the railway said.
   Jacksonville, Fla.-based CSX issued a statement Wednesday that said, “Several division operating departments are making tactical plan changes and curtailments to proactively move as much freight as possible to minimize the impact of possible delays.”
   CSX said:
     • Operations will be suspended by late Thursday afternoon on the main line from Auburndale, Fla. through the Orlando and Sanford, Fla. areas into Jacksonville, Fla.;
     • The main line from Savannah, Ga. to Pembroke, N.C. has been reduced to serve only passenger and time critical operations;
     • The main line from Jacksonville, Fla. to Savannah, Ga. will be suspended Friday morning;
     • And switching operations have been halted in Savannah, GA; Charleston, S.C.; and Wilmington, N.C.