Port Authority tracks damaged

Repairs are needed for Southeast Missouri Port Authority's railroad track.

The damage occurred a half-mile south of the Diversion Channel, according to Dan Overbey, the authority's director.

He said nearly 300 feet of the embankment washed away, just south of a timber trestle.

Overbey took several photos showing significant damage.

"We will certainly share those with FEMA, also for our own Port board to keep them advised and up-to-date and with some other elected officials," he said. "It's an unusual event for us. We've had flood damage before, but typically it's very minor -- a little rock falls away from the track or some banks will slough a little, but we push them back with a dozer."

This time, large holes are evident under the tracks; many ties are broken or missing; in some cases tree trunks have fallen across the tracks.

Overbey will meet with FEMA officials Monday; he said the tracks should be back in service by April 4.

"At first guess, I'd say it'll cost $70,000, but we hope it'll come in less," he said. "The track was in better shape than we hoped, but sometimes there are surprises."