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7/8/2024
BNSF Railway Co., Union Pacific Railroad and the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) all took precautionary measures over the weekend in preparation for Hurricane Beryl.
Beryl arrived on the East Texas coast early this morning as a Category 1 storm. It was expected to weaken as it moved inland, according to media reports. Heavy rain — as much as 15 inches — and potential flooding is predicted for area.
BNSF yesterday began restricting operations in its Houston complex, which spans 60 square miles and includes five rail yards. Teams fortified and secured all yards as well as the trains being held in the region. Ingate traffic at the BNSF Pearland Intermodal Facility in Houston was no longer being accepted.
“We have activated an around-the-clock command center, and our operating teams have prepositioned track equipment and supplies, including fuel cells, generators and ballast, at various locations to quickly address any impacts to the network as power outages and flooding are expected,” BNSF officials said in a customer advisory.
UP began suspending some operations and implemented other precautionary measures yesterday, according to its customer advisory.
Meanwhile, METRO suspended METRORail and other transit services in greater Houston.
“METRO crews are continuously assessing conditions across our service area, working diligently to identify and address any hazards caused by the storm,” agency officials announced this morning on the METRO website. “We are committed to providing safe and reliable transportation and will resume service on each line and route as soon as conditions allow."
METRO has been recognized in the past for its actions to protect passengers and employees during hurricanes. In 2020, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) honored the METRO with its Outstanding Public Transportation Achievement Award in part for the agency’s proactive response to Hurricane Harvey in 2017. METRO’s actions during Harvey served as a model for emergency response, according to APTA.