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Storms that dumped more than eight inches of rain in parts of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska last week have caused floods that washed out track and weakened bridges for numerous railroads.

Union Pacific Railroad is experiencing the storms' worst effects in Iowa, where (as of June 16) 83 of the 99 counties have been declared disaster areas. The Class I's mainline is out of service near Haley, two mainlines near Cedar Rapids and another two near Tama are flooded out, and a mainline between Des Moines and Kansas City, Mo., is out of service.

Late last week, UP issued an embargo for all eastbound manifest and automotive traffic originating at points west of Beverly, Iowa, and traffic destined for points west of Beverly because flooding has limited reroute options, said Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales Jack Koraleski in a customer letter dated June 13.

"Based on current conditions, the embargoes are anticipated to be in place for as long as a week, however, weather conditions will ultimately determine when an embargo can be lifted," he wrote.

Iowa short lines are reeling from the storms' aftermath, too. The Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway Co.'s bridge in Cedar Rapids collapsed into a river June 12. The short line had placed hopper cars loaded with ballast on the bridge in hopes of keeping the structure in place.

Floodwaters also overtook Keokuk Junction Railway's mainline in the Keokuk, Iowa, area. The short line shut down the line between Keokuk and LaHarpe, Ill.

Iowa Northern Railway Co.'s line in Clarksville, Iowa, sustained extensive damage and the short line is experiencing significant service disruptions. The railroad’s downtown Cedar Rapids headquarters is closed until further notice.

At the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad Corp., track washouts between Mason City and Nora Springs, and Charles City and Ossian, Iowa, promoted the railroad to close portions of its lines for seven to 14 days. Traffic between Mason City and Marquette, Iowa, is being rerouted.

Meanwhile, BNSF Railway Co. officials continue to monitor rising waters in Iowa, as well as Illinois, Missouri and Nebraska. The Class I anticipates non-intermodal traffic delays of 24 to 48 hours because trains will be rerouted at points between Chicago and Denver. BNSF also expects delays for non-intermodal traffic originating or terminating in Atlanta; Birmingham, Ala.; Memphis, Tenn.; and St Louis.

Norfolk Southern Railway has ceased operations through parts of Hannibal, Mo., due to Mississippi River flooding. Traffic is being rerouted around the area and the Class I anticipates traffic delays.

Flooding has impacted Amtrak, as well. A BNSF route in Iowa used by Amtrak for California Zephyr service has been temporarily closed because of flooding in Ottumwa. Amtrak is providing bus service from Chicago to Nebraska and Denver. The national intercity passenger railroad also is using buses instead of trains between K.C. and Jefferson City, Mo., on the Missouri Mules route because UP has detoured freight traffic on the line.

In addition, Amtrak is busing Empire Builder passengers from Chicago to St. Paul, Minn., until flooding subsides in parts of Wisconsin. Empire Builder service is suspended to Portage and Columbus, Wis.