Over the past couple of weeks, two large disasters have occurred in the Southern United States resulting in dozens of deaths and billions of dollars worth of damage: an oil spill in the Gulf Coast and devastating storms in Mississippi and Tennessee. Throughout the two occurrences, trucking professionals have been affected in two very different ways, and we’re dedicated to providing up-to-date coverage of the direct effects on our industry,

The Deep Water Oil Spill

We are now entering day 14 of a leaking oil well 5,000 feet below the Gulf Coast, and the flow of oil is now only 30 – 40 miles from the shores of Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama. With no previous success in sealing the leaks, Federal officials are currently relying on truckers to deliver the specialized equipment needed to stop the leak. On April 30, the FMCSA announced that an hours of service waiver would be granted through May 14 to the drivers and carriers bringing crucial supplies needed to fix the tragic crude spill.

Devastating Storms in Mississippi and Tennessee

Over the weekend, Mississippi and Tennessee experienced torrential downpours that dumped more than a foot of rain. On May 2, I experienced the flooding firsthand, while driving on I-40 through downtown Nashville. Though the eastbound lanes were clear, a pond had built up on the other side of the Jersey wall, stopping all oncoming traffic for miles. Trucks and cars were completely stuck with nowhere to go but into lanes resembling more of a lake than a highway. Ninety-one trucks were stranded between mile markers 192 and 196, and although they were offered help evacuating, all of the drivers opted to stay with their rigs. With closures on sections of interstates 24, 40 and 65, as well as many city and state roads, freight deliveries have been slowed or halted throughout the region.

Between devastating storms disrupting freight services and drivers pushing beyond typical service hours to help stop an oil spill, I wonder:

How do you prepare for disasters, both natural and manmade?

Have you been personally affected by the oil spill or flooding?

How often is your ability to deliver or get loads impacted by situations outside your control?