Info Sources Spring Up Quickly in Wake of Hurricane
Annette E. Petrick

Industry sources have moved quickly to report news of how the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is affecting the trucking industry.

The American Trucking Associations is reporting road conditions, wash-outs, detours and closures. The National Association of Small Trucking Companies is reporting status of gasoline at various locations, and gas station and truckstop closings. Getloaded.com set up a Relief board where carriers willing to transport supplies to the Gulf Coast could post their name.

The corporate office of Cargo-Master is just blocks away from refugee centers set up at Reunion Arena and the Dallas Convention Center . Their employees have collected money, bedding, clothing and more and delivered them to the center. Trinity Transport is promoting a 50/50 drawing with proceeds to the Relief effort. Throughout the country, reports are pouring in of how transportation intermediaries are already helping.

For all the devastation and mayhem seen to date in Louisiana and Mississippi , it has quickly become obvious that we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg, and feeling only the beginning twinges of the changes this mammoth and cruel swipe of nature will cause.

As always, the trucking industry companies small and large will do their share to help those in need.

Send us an email and let us know what your firm is doing. Watch for updates on Relief efforts over the next few weeks and months.

Annette E. Petrick