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Count Norfolk Southern Corp.among the Class Is that are offering financial support to the Gulf Coast region and employees affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The railroad will contribute $500,000 directly to state and local emergency responders in communities along its lines in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. NS also will match employee donations to designated national relief organizations up to a maximum corporate donation of $500,000.

To help storm-affected employees, the Class I will grant up to $4,000 to eligible workers to help cover their un-reimbursed losses and temporary living expenses, and provide interest-free loans up to $15,000 to eligible employees to cover uninsured residential or property damages, or losses. The railroad also will provide temporary job relocation, and food and lodging assistance to employees that sustained hurricane-related losses.

In addition, NS will provide two weeks of paid leave for up to 20 employees who want to serve relief organizations and participate in on-site recovery efforts.

Meanwhile, the Class I continues to re-route freight that would have traveled through New Orleans. Operations are normal except in the city of New Orleans and on the railroad’s bridge over Lake Pontchartrain, which NS is continuing to repair.