How Norfolk Southern keeps goods moving through hurricane season

As NOAA forecasts an above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, with up to 10 hurricanes and several major storms, Norfolk Southern is putting preparedness into action. Severe storms can cause serious disruption for businesses, communities, and supply chains. That’s why we take a comprehensive approach to protect our people, serve our customers, and support our communities before, during, and after a storm.

Before: Preparing the network to stay on track

Preparedness starts well before a storm makes landfall. Our teams monitor conditions closely and activate response plans early to stay ahead.

• Proactive monitoring. We partner with AccuWeather to receive real-time forecasts specific to our 19,500-mile rail network across 22 states.
• Stage smart. Crews, equipment, and materials are positioned in key areas before impact, allowing us to move quickly once it’s safe to respond.
• Tailored response. We plan for the unique circumstances of every projected storm.
• Specific assignments. Every member of our response team is given clear responsibilities within specific areas to ensure efficient coverage.

During: Keeping customers informed every step of the way

As severe weather unfolds, we keep customers informed with timely updates on network conditions and potential service disruptions.

• Service Alerts. Our team shares real-time updates through NS Service Alerts, proactively communicating weather-related impacts across our network.
• 1:1 coordination. The Commercial team, including dedicated account managers, works  directly with customers to reroute shipments to keep goods moving whenever safely possible.

After: Restoring, rebuilding, and reconnecting

Once the skies clear and it is safe to do so, NS teams mobilize to assess damage, reroute trains, and restore service as quickly as possible.

• Coordinate like clockwork. Our Operations and Network Planning teams activate “war rooms” and hold regular standups to keep everyone aligned, making every decision through the lens of safety. We also work closely with federal, state, and local officials to assess conditions.
• Immediate mainline repairs. We work around the clock to reroute traffic and reopen our service lines as quickly and safely as possible. For example, after Hurricane Helene caused historic flooding, we reopened all core routes within 72 hours by deploying 400+ generators and fixing multiple track washouts.
• Committed to full recovery. After initial repairs, our teams continue to work on reconnecting communities and helping local economies rebound. In May, we completed the return of freight service to Asheville and Western North Carolina for the first time since Hurricane Helene. This milestone followed months of coordinated recovery efforts, including major infrastructure projects.