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Hurricanes Katrina and Rita weren’t the only recent major storms to wreak havoc with North American railroads’ infrastructure. Earlier this month, Hurricane Stan damaged track and bridges owned by Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) subsidiary Ferrocarriles Chiapas-Mayab S.A. de C.V. (FCCM) in Mexico.

The 1,100-mile railroad suffered the most severe damage on a line between the town of Tonala and the Guatemalan border. After conducting an aerial survey of the area, FCCM officials determined 22 bridges were damaged and at least one mile of track was destroyed.

“We are working closely with our customers, employees and government authorities to respond to a natural disaster, which is complicated by the challenging nature of the region’s terrain and remoteness,” said GWI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mortimer Fuller in a prepared statement. “We are pleased to report that we have accounted for all of our 142 employees in the region.”

GWI officials estimate FCCM will lose 1,200 carloads per month through year end. During the fourth quarter, the railroad also will lose about $2.5 million in revenue and incur storm-related costs, GWI officials said.