The following information was sent out as industry updates:
September 27, 2024
Hurricane Helene Causes Power Outages and Closures
Hurricane Helene officially made landfall at 11:20 pm in the Florida panhandle as a Category 4 Hurricane, causing fatalities and a path of destruction as it moved north. Helene weakened over land and was downgraded to a strong tropical storm by the time it neared Atlanta.
More than 4 million customers in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas were without power this morning. Heavy rainfall has caused significant flooding and road closures due to fallen trees and downed power lines, particularly in the northern Georgia and western North Carolina regions. Strong winds and torrential rain from the storm are expected to continue, and a Wind Advisory is in effect through Saturday morning, with wind gusts of up to 45 mph.
The ProTrans facility in Greer, South Carolina, is closed today due to a power outage. Our Atlanta service center has also been affected, and line hauls needed to be canceled in Georgia and South Carolina because of the weather conditions.
We are working on contingency plans that may include possible Saturday morning linehauls. At this time, we do not anticipate significant transit impacts if the road conditions improve and shipments are able to be picked up on Monday.
Please get in touch with your supply chain manager for any questions regarding your specific shipments.
Updated: September 30, 2024
Helene Leaves Behind a 500-Mile Path of Destruction
Flash flooding and heavy rainfall are still a risk through Tuesday morning in the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic regions as the remnants of Hurricane Helene continue to move east. Areas in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, including Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, could see up to 2 more inches of rain today.
The storm triggered some of the worst flooding seen in a century. In the wake of the hurricane, there remains a 500-mile path of devastating destruction from where it made landfall in the Florida panhandle late Thursday night and moved north. Deaths have been reported in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee exceeding 100 fatalities reported so far and hundreds still missing.
Hundreds of roads remained closed and impassable over the weekend due to flooding, fallen trees, debris, and washouts. Roads and bridges in certain areas that were there just days ago have been washed away. Not only has this blocked transport routes, but it has also disrupted essential services like water, gas, and communication lines, hindering recovery efforts. One of the hardest hit areas, closed off from essential supplies and support is Asheville, North Carolina.
Millions have also been left without power in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia with outages reaching as far north as Cincinnati. Cell towers have been knocked out and diesel shortages have spread across Florida and neighboring states as tanker trucks are unable to reach their destinations. Restoring electricity in some areas could still be a week away or longer.
Thousands of trucks were stranded throughout the region by the closed roads and supply chain operations have been crippled. The storm’s damage and ongoing recovery efforts are causing transit delays, especially in the highest affected areas including Monticello and Tallahassee in FL; Augusta, Hazlehurst, Macon, Savannah, Tifton, and Valdosta in Georgia; Asheville, North Carolina; and Greenville, South Carolina.
At ProTrans, the Greer facility remains closed as power was just restored this morning. Our team is working diligently to get back online and resolve the delays caused by the storm. Main interstates in the area also remain closed, including the main route from the Midwest to Greer, forcing us to seek alternative routes.
Our transportation division, Millennial Transport, is shifting its entire operation because of the destruction left behind, as are many of our partner carriers, to help minimize disruptions for our customers. We will continue collaborating to get through the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. Contact us today if you have any questions or concerns about your shipments.
Air Solutions with Responsiveness, Trust and Performance
When facing abrupt or unforeseen delays, on-demand air services can be a critical, effective method of moving freight to reach your shipping deadline. It requires having a trusted partner to provide solutions that meet your specific needs and keep you supply chain going. We offer full-service, time-critical logistics and crisis management, regardless of the time of day.
For all your air cargo and expedite needs, please reach out to our 24/7 Time-Pivotal Expedite Business unit at expedite@protrans.com.
