CSX takes hurricane hit: presence along Gulf Coast left railroad vulnerable to storm surge, damaging 100-mile line of track.(Brief Article)

CSX estimates that damages caused by Hurricane Katrina will cost the company $250 million.

Much of the eastern carrier's 100-mile line along the coast between Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans sustained heavy damage. That has required the railroad to reroute traffic destined for New Orleans or interchanged with western carriers.

CSX estimates third-quarter losses associated with business interruption and other costs will negatively impact operating income by around $25 million.

"The flexibility of our network has enabled us to respond quickly to the needs of our customers whose freight normally travels across the affected area," said CSX Executive Vice …