From crisis to comeback: Looking back on one year of Hurricane Helene recovery

A momentous milestone in April when Train 98A rolled through Asheville’s River Arts District, an area that was completely underwater during the storm.

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene brought historic flooding and unprecedented damage across the Southeast, impacting both communities and critical infrastructure. In the days and months that followed, Norfolk Southern worked closely with first responders, neighbors, local businesses, and others to restore service safely and reconnect communities.

• Standing with our communities: Recovery has been a shared effort. Together, we’ve worked to restore critical connections that sustain local economies and maintain the flow of commerce that communities depend on.
• Clearing the network: In the days immediately following the storm, Team NS crews worked around the clock to repair damage, remove debris and get freight moving safely again. Our teams reopened all core routes affected by the storm within 72 hours of landfall, clearing more than 15,000 trees, deploying 400+ generators and repairing multiple washouts.

• Rail bridge replacement: In March, Team NS and our contractors completed our Newport bridge replacement — a critical step in restoring rail service in and out of Asheville, N.C. for the first time since the storm. Built to modern specifications and designed to last at least 100 years, the new rail bridge reconnected a key western portion of our AS Line, which links Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Its replacement gave the community hope as residents welcomed it as a sign of return to normalcy post-hurricane.

• Supporting people: We provided direct assistance to employees and their families as they navigated the storm’s aftermath while continuing to serve their communities. In addition to our annual disaster relief support, NS donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross for immediate and long-term recovery needs in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

What they’re saying

“Hurricane Helene tested the strength of our communities and our railroad, and I’m proud of how we responded. Our teams, first responders and local partners worked shoulder to shoulder to restore service safely and support those in need. I’m deeply grateful for the grit and character of our people and the partnerships that helped us come through stronger together.”
— John Orr, Chief Operating Officer

“The speedy replacement of the Newport bridge, despite challenging conditions in the wake of the storm, exemplifies the Norfolk Southern team’s commitment to reliability, resilience, and investment in the communities we serve.”
— Ruth Brown, Norfolk Southern Chief Engineer Bridges & Structures