By C.H. Robinson vice president Dan Ryan

This customer advisory was originally published in C.H. Robinson's Transportfolio blog and has been republished with permission.

Hurricane Harvey is causing catastrophic flooding in Southeast Texas, leaving the Houston metro area in a severe crisis situation. The National Weather Service is calling the flooding “unprecedented” with more rain expected.

Houston area schools as well as a significant number of businesses are closed for the week and many areas are only accessible by boat or helicopter. At this time, our C.H. Robinson Houston teammates have checked in and are confirmed safe at this time. While our Houston offices remain closed, the C.H. Robinson network is fully operational.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected in this area as they endure the situation.

Supporting our customers and carriers

While the storm is directly impacting south Texas and Louisiana, this supply chain disruption will be felt across North America. We recognize that you likely have many questions about how this weather event may impact your supply chain tomorrow and in the coming months.

As always, our team is ready to work together with you to prioritize shipments and find alternative solutions throughout this crisis.

You can rely on us to provide you up-to-date information about the storm and its impact on supply chains.

Overall market & weather update

A large portion of industry resides on the east and southeast sides of Houston, the hardest hit areas of the metropolitan area. Many shippers are looking for locations on the north and west sides of Houston as well as other locations (such as Austin, San Antonio, Dallas) to place their shipments so they are in close proximity as relief comes in the next couple of days.

According to the weather forecasts, the region expects to experience historic rainfall through the early part of this week. To better understand the size and scope of the flooding throughout Houston, visit the Houston Transit Authority’s map, which highlights high water areas.

Transportation Update by Mode

Across all modes, you can expect significant delays for pick-up and delivery as well as possible rerouting through this week.

Intermodal / Rail Operations

Within Houston on the Metro Rail, customers can expected embargoes and delays of 24-72 hours, pending the railway company.

Drayage and equipment within Houston will be delayed; only emergency movement recommended.

Dallas/Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Laredo and New Orleans all are operational and should be considered as contingency ramps.

Some Mexico cross-border rail lines are closed (KCSM/BNSF) – an embargo has been enacted.

Less-than-Truckload (LTL)

Wide-scale LTL terminal closures will impact the region at least through Wednesday. For track and trace, contact your local C.H. Robinson representative.

Truckload

Over the weekend, conditions worsened; as shipments were enroute to destinations they have often had to divert other areas for receiving and unloading.

Truckload capacity is expected to be constrained as assets are being prioritized to support relief efforts.

Global forwarding – ocean and air shipping

Houston Port, Houston Hobby Airport and IAH are all closed.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Port Pilots met this morning and decided that there will be no traffic moving through the shipping channels until at least Thursday, this week. The Coast Guard will make the final determination on when the channels will open. Then the pilots will survey the area to determine a safe route for vessel traffic. Realistically inbound traffic may not begin again until this weekend.

Container vessels will have priority above other vessels. Of this, export vessels will get priority to load and sail out first. Any vessels currently berthed at the terminals will be worked first.

The rail lines have placed an embargo on IPI traffic from USWC to Houston CY for the next 24-48 hours.

We understand this situation continues to evolve. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your C.H. Robinson account team or monitor our updates on our Transportfolio blog.

Headline photo: Hurricane Harvey, courtesy of Naval Research Laboratory.

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