Pursuant to Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 211.45, Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Ronald L. Batory has determined that the imminent threat of Tropical Storm Cristobal with possible hurricane force winds, flooding rains, power outages, and coastal flooding conditions predicted to occur in the gulf region of the United States constitutes an “emergency event” as related to railroad operations. 

In making this determination, the Administrator notes that the National Weather Service has predicted strong winds, heavy rains, and life-threatening flooding will impact Louisiana and the gulf coast states. Louisiana has issued a State of Emergency in anticipation of the impending storm. Therefore, the Administrator has activated the Emergency Relief Docket (FRA-2020-0002) as of June 5, 2020, and the emergency relief provisions of 49 CFR § 211.45 are in effect.