(The Department of Transportation issued the following news release on September 17.)
Anticipating the threat from Hurricane Isabel and storm damage to transportation infrastructure, the U.S. Department of Transportation today activated special plans to support affected states and communities.
At 7:00 a.m. Thursday, September 18, the department will activate its Crisis Management Center (CMC). Drawing on expertise within the department by building on information from states and aviation, marine, rail, highway, pipeline and transit authorities, the Department of Transportation Crisis Management Center will assist the affected regions cope with Hurricane Isabel and its effects.
Hurricane preparations and responses include repair crews being dispatched and pre-positioned at critical aviation and rail sites to quickly restore service, coordinating with the military for rescue flights, assessing needs for emergency relief, and securing the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Ft Eustis, VA.
— On Monday, September 15, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) established a special hurricane position within the Air Traffic Control system to coordinate any necessary military and civil aircraft evacuations.
— Repair crews have been dispatched to the seven major affected airports and navigation sites to restore service after the storm passes.
— FAA will work with the Department of Defense to coordinate military flights in civil airspace for rescue purposes.
— The FAA’s Southern, Eastern and New England Regions have taken initial storm precautions such as ensuring that all backup generators in ATC facilities and all vehicles have been fueled and are ready for service in the event of electrical power outages.
— The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is aggressively assessing state needs for anticipated emergency relief.
— Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) inspectors have begun closely monitoring bridges and low areas for indications of high water, washouts, or track debris that could affect service.
— Railroads are pre-positioning work crews and materials to make emergency repairs.
— FRA headquarters is in direct contact with AMTRAK management. AMTRAK is reporting that due to the expected affect on the railroad, several operational changes are being implemented to the normal operation. These plans are based on the philosophy of keeping both passengers and equipment from being stranded in an area where their safety could be compromised.
— The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has installed a driven plate anchor system in the James River to provide a strong mooring for the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Ft. Eustis, VA. The driven plate anchor system has a much higher holding capacity than other types of anchors. Each plate anchor has a holding capacity of approximately a million pounds and this system provides a high safety factor, helps the ships withstand high winds and other forms of inclement weather.
— MARAD has oil spill response equipment and crews at Ft. Eustis to survey the fleet site immediately after the storm to determine the extent of damage.
— MARAD has hired tug boats to be on standby in the event the fleet encounters storm-related troubles.
— The Federal Transit Administration is in close contact with more than 50 transit agencies along the Eastern Seaboard to coordinate information, updates and strategies in response to Hurricane Isabel.