This flooding did start just before New Year's but the effects will go long into the year probably for next two months.
Track closings are almost too numerous but reroutes will be interesting. Amtrak problems are already being listed.
RR bridge closings will probably come under three types of incidents. One already seen on national TV was overtopping.
Second water pushing tracks off columns.
Third will be scouring of the support coluns. Remember that the KCS bridge over the Mississippi river at Vicksburg shifted and nearly dropped into the river during the last big flood.
blue streak 1scouring of the support coluns.
Lived next to a river for a number of years, had boats/boat docks.
The river was prone to 20 foot fluctuations in depth 2-3 times per year. Always with the spring thaw, and a couple-few more times throughout the year with really big rainstorms.
Moderate storms yielded a more manageable 3-5 feet in rise.
Used to amaze me how little damage the currents caused to unimproved dirt riverbanks adjacent to my property, but just try and improve things on a more permanant basis with concrete, and all the force of mother nature seems to relish trying to wash asunder whatever "improvements" you might try to install. The currents will dig under anything too heavy for it to simply push aside. When my 12 foot long x 4 foot wide x 5 foot high steel reinforced poured concrete dock started drooping towards the channel one spring, I was truly amazed to find that it had almost totally been underwashed by the passing current (over a number of years).
A river that was perhaps 9 foot deep at the center of the channel, and 2 foot deep adjacent to my neighbors unimproved riverbanks was washed out to a depth of 6 feet all around my dock area.
If ya can't beat 'em, then join 'em, I figured, so the following winter when the river was at seasonal low level, I dredged out all that under washed area to a nice uniform depth, cut the tie backs from the hanging structure, and let it fall into the pit. All of which to become a footing for the new dock I poured on top of it. I doubt that dock will be going anywhere soon. it would have to roll "up hill" just to go further out into the river channel.
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