East Tennessee rail network devastated by Helene could take months to reopen
Within hours of Helene's passage, Norfolk Southern crews swiftly mobilized along the hardest-hit areas along their Salisbury-Morristown line which suffered extensive damage. Over 21,000 feet of track were washed out, and thousands more were damaged by scour, fill failures and slides. Multiple bridges were also damaged.
FILE – Over 250 deaths from Helene with 123 deaths in North Carolina
Nearly three weeks after Helene swept through the Southeast, many communities are still reeling from its impacts as the extent of its devastation is coming into focus.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – An East Tennessee rail network devastated by Hurricane Helene could take months to reopen, according to Norfolk Southern officials.
The storm's historic flooding last month caused unprecedented damage and severe topographical changes in the region.
Norfolk Southern's Engineering Vice President Ed Boyle said hundreds of his railroaders worked tirelessly to restore service and recover from the storm's impact.
"We know firsthand at Norfolk Southern the critical role rail plays in connecting communities, and we continue to support ongoing recovery efforts," he said.
RECOVERY EFFORTS UNDERWAY IN NORTH CAROLINA AS HELENE DEATH TOLL TOPS 250 ACROSS 7 STATES
In an aerial view, flood damage, including mangled railroad tracks, wrought by Hurricane Helene is seen along the French Broad River on October 3, 2024 in Marshall, North Carolina. (Mario Tama / Getty Images)
However, while crews were able to reopen some of their lines, initial projections estimate their line between Asheville, North Carolina, and Newport, Tennessee, won't reopen until late January 2025.
Within hours of the storm's passage, railroad crews swiftly mobilized along the hardest-hit areas along their Salisbury-Morristown line which suffered extensive damage. Over 21,000 feet of track were washed out, and thousands more were damaged by scour, fill failures and slides. Multiple bridges were also damaged.
FIRST SNOW OF SEASON EYES HELENE-RECOVERY AREAS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, EAST TENNESSEE
A damaged railway track is seen in Green Mountain, North Carolina, October 6, 2024, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. (ALLISON JOYCE/AFP / Getty Images)
The company said their engineering team cleared over 15,000 trees, repaired multiple washouts and over 50 damaged slide fences, deployed more than 400 generators and safely operated in more than 1,000 locations without commercial power.
Due to the remote mountainous terrain and severe flooding, Norfolk Southern teams have struggled to assess damage along portions of the line around Asheville and Black Mountain, where much track has been completely destroyed. Evaluations of the track between Asheville and Old Fort are ongoing.
HELENE KILLS 11 MEMBERS OF THE SAME FAMILY AFTER MUDSLIDE DESTROYS THEIR COMMUNITY
Destroyed train tracks are seen from a Main Street bridge in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 30, 2024 in Old Fort, North Carolina. (Melissa Sue Gerrits / Getty Images)
Boyle praised the dedication and hard work of the railroaders involved in restoring the network, but stressed their work was not finished.
"Our railroaders on the ground are the best in the business," he said. "I want to thank them for their dedication and hard work in getting as much of our network restored as quickly and safely as possible so that we can continue to provide access to communities and move the goods we all rely on."