Hurricane and Storm Updates - Advisory

Current as of September 13, 2018

Hurricane Florence is expected to make landfall later today and into Friday from the Carolinas to parts of both Virginia and Georgia. The National Hurricane Center is warning of life-threatening storm surge, flooding, and damaging winds at the coast and some distance inland. At this time, most of our C.H. Robinson offices in the area remain open, and are taking the necessary precautions. Our network of offices are ready and available to assist customers as the hurricane makes landfall.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected in the areas as they endure the situation.

Supporting our Customers and Carriers

While the storm will directly impact the Carolinas, Virginia, and parts of Georgia, this supply chain disruption will be felt across North America. We recognize that you may likely have questions about how this weather event may impact your supply chain in the coming days, weeks, and months.

As always, our team is ready to work together with you to prioritize shipments and find alternative solutions throughout this crisis. Additionally, our technology is helping our network make contingency plans for shipments in transit. Our global visibility platform, Navisphere® Vision, utilizes predictive analytics to provide real-time information and actionable insights and alerts that can help our customers be more proactive in mitigating disruptions.

Overall Market & Weather Update

According to the weather forecasts, the region expects to experience historic rainfall through the early part of this weekend. To better understand the size and scope of the storm, visit the National Weather Service’s map, which highlights high water areas.

Transportation Update by Mode

Across all modes, you can expect to start seeing delays for pick-up and delivery as well as possible rerouting beginning this week and into the weekend.

Less-than-Truckload (LTL)

• Wide-scale LTL terminal closures have begun in the Carolinas, and will impact the region at least through the weekend. Consolidation shipments are delayed or suspended going in to North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. For track and trace information, contact your local C.H. Robinson representative.

• Inland locations are experiencing limited service and are facing traffic congestion created by the evacuations.

Intermodal Operations

• Both CSX and Norfolk Southern have shut down operations in the area until further notice, which will impact freight heading north and south along the east coast. Any freight in before 6:00 p.m. eastern on Tuesday, September 11 will move, with the exception of freight in Jacksonville, FL.

• Norfolk Southern has issued an embargo on all shipments inbound to Charleston, Union Pacific has also stopped accepting freight headed towards the affected areas.

Truckload

• As the storm makes landfall, we anticipate that conditions will worsen; as shipments were enroute to destinations they have often had to divert to other areas for receiving and unloading.

• Truckload capacity is expected to be constrained as assets are being prioritized to support relief efforts.

Global Forwarding - Ocean and Air Shipping

• North Carolina State Port Authority and South Carolina State Port Authority have closed all marine terminals to truckload and vessel shipments for today and Friday (9/14/18).

• Port of Charleston is closed and will remain closed through the weekend, or until post storm evaluation is complete.

• Port of Virginia will remain closed until further notice, with no vessels entering or leaving.

You can rely on us to provide you up-to-date information about the storm and its impact on transportation and supply chains. We understand this situation continues to evolve. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your local C.H. Robinson team member or monitor our updates. .