UPDATE | Flooding in Southern West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, and Eastern Ohio

Norfolk Southern continues to make progress toward restoring normal rail service across the Heartland Corridor. The route has experienced multiple service suspensions following the flooding in Southern West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, and Eastern Ohio that began on Friday, February 14.
 

Service Recovery Efforts:

• Train service between Portsmouth, OH and Bluefield, WV has been restored. The route previously returned to service on Tuesday, February 18, but was later closed due to residual washouts near Williamson, WV.
• Both mainlines were operational as of midday Thursday, February 20.
   

Customer Impact:

• An embargo (NS 000725) was issued on new shipments on February 16, 2025, and remains in effect. The embargo does not impact shipments moving in Intermodal, Coal/Coke, or Automotive service.
• While we have begun moving traffic across the Heartland Corridor, customers should expect residual transit delays over the next 72-96 hours due to the volume of backlogged traffic awaiting movement. 
• Norfolk Southern will work with impacted customers to manage contractual obligations regarding shipments on a case-by-case basis. 
  • If your shipments are affected, your Norfolk Southern account manager will contact you directly.

Thank you for your patience as we continue working to fully restore service through this area. We are committed to transparent communication and will provide further updates as needed.