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KCSR lays out plans for recovering from Hurricane Katrina Restoring the railroad Railroads are vital to the American economy, especially in times of disaster. For this reason, Kansas City Southern Railway employees and contractors have worked diligently to restore rail service to the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. By the close of last week, KCSR's lines had been cleared of trees and debris to the point where the track meets water in New Orleans, Louisiana and to the Port of Gulfport, Mississippi. KCS senior vice president international engineering Jerry Heavin, who was on the scene last week, said, "From a structural standpoint, the track has held up very well, considering the conditions. The primary problems were downed trees and power lines, some minor slides and washouts." Over the weekend, the embargo was lifted for Gramercy, LA. Today, the embargo was also lifted for DPC Industries, Inc. at Reserve, LA. However, embargoes remain for New Orleans, Norco and the remainder of Reserve, LA and Gulfport, Delisle, Waynesboro, Quitman and Enterprise, MS because customers on the line, or interchange partners remain out of service. With the exception of the embargoed areas, trains are moving, despite challenges. In the Baton Rouge, LA, Jackson and Gulfport, MS areas, a lack of electrical power is creating the need for signal crews to place generators at approximately 70 flasher crossings. A lack of electrical power and the significant demand for gasoline, is making it a challenge for crews in these areas to get to work, still many are persevering to keep the railroad running. Fortifying the troops About 150 to 200 employees and contractors were directly involved in the clean up efforts. In Mississippi, power was restored in time to put first responders in commercial lodging. With so many people fleeing New Orleans, commercial lodging and access to food and gasoline is limited in Baton Rouge. Maintenance of way and signal workers in these areas spent the first couple of days working long hours, eating little and sleeping in the depot or in their trucks. On Sep01, the Southern Belle departed Kansas City for Baton Rouge, complete with the Kansas City kitchen car, Baton Rouge sleeper car that accommodates 22 people, the Dallas crew car, the St. Louis power car stocked with groceries, and the Port Arthur baggage car stocked with drinking water. A specially equipped tank car pulled by the Belle was filled at Heavener and taken to Baton Rouge to fuel maintenance of way vehicles. A reefer car pulled by the Belle from Kansas City was filled with ice at Heavener and switched at Shreveport to provide relief for crews on the east end of the railroad. Since the Southern Belle arrived in Baton Rouge, it has been providing a dry place to sleep and three meals a day for operating department employees who continue to service the area. KCSR and labor unions work together to provide relief It is estimated that approximately 70 KCSR employees may have been directly affected by the hurricane. KCSR is attempting to contact these employees via phone. When that is not possible due to downed cell phone towers or power lines, KCSR has gone door to door to determine our employees' situations. If you have specific knowledge of an employee who has been affected, please report it to the human resources employee hotline at 1-800-989-3641. Understanding the severity of the situation, the labor unions have been very helpful and flexible in allowing KCSR to do what is necessary to accommodate victims while keeping the railroad running. Some employees who are living temporarily with friends or relatives have been temporarily reassigned to areas where they do not have seniority. Affected employees are being allowed to take their unused 2005 and 2006 vacation time, or receive pay for that time now. To take advantage of this opportunity, the employee should contact their local chairman, who will in turn get in touch with Southeast Division general manager Mark Redd or Midwest Division general superintendent Daniel Torres. In the affected areas, employees have been able to fill the tanks of their personal vehicles with KCSR's fuel supply, and bottled water and other supplies like paper towels have been provided to employees for their families. The hurricane hit on payday weekend, so a phone number, 816-983-1573 was established for employees who may not have received their paycheck or direct deposit as a result of the hurricane. Providing aid for the greater good KCS is keeping in close contact and cooperating with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the rail industry's combined effort to provide assistance to the relief effort. KCS will make its trains available to move emergency relief supplies and equipment, including bottled water from Kansas City, MO and 44 containers of food from Los Angeles to Macon, GA KCS is responding to requests to make vacant buildings available in south Louisiana for storage of emergency supplies. In addition, KCS will be making a charitable contribution to the Bush-Clinton Relief Fund for the states of Louisiana and Mississippi and to The Salvation Army in Louisiana and Mississippi. In support of the greater community and to ensure that the right help is getting to the right people in the right place, KCS recommends support of three national organizations involved in the relief effort who have set up disaster relief funds. When disaster strikes, the American Red Cross is on the scene providing emergency shelter, food, water and other critical assistance. Go to http://www.redcross.org/ for information on how to contribute to the American Red Cross. The Salvation Army is providing services to storm victims and first responders in the Gulf Coast states. A $100 donation to The Salvation Army will feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household clean-up kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning supplies. The web site at http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/ outlines how you can make a financial or in-kind contribution or volunteer. The United Way of America has a "Hurricane Katrina Response Fund". To contribute to this fund, go to https://volunteer.united-e-way.org/hurricane-katrina/donate. - KCSR News
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