Rail operator Union Pacific (UP) has advised customers of damage to rail tracks in Southern California and Texas after tropical storms bring heavy rainfall to the US states.

Storm Hilary made landfall in California over the weekend ushering record rainfall in the southern region of the state. The west coast ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach closed for part of Sunday but otherwise suffered no major impact. However, on Monday rail operator Union Pacific communicated damage to rail lines in the Mojave and Yuma subdivisions. 

Although the tracks in the Mojave subdivision have since been restored, the Yama subdivision, between Banning and Indio, California is still a work in progress. According to UP's latest advisory, repair efforts are being hampered by mudslides and the rail operator estimates the track will be out of service for two weeks.

Another tropical storm hit the United States this week, this time on the US Gulf Coast. Storm Harold made landfall in Padre Island Texas on Tuesday causing widespread power outages. Forecasters expect more heavy rain and strong winds in southern Texas and Mexico as Harold moves westward, triggering flash floods and tornado warnings.

Union Pacific advised a five-mile stretch of rail track in Corpus Christi, Texas is underwater and therefore out of service. Restoration of the track will only be possible once the water recedes and an inspection is carried out. No timeline for the reinstatement of the service has been given. 

Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the United States by rail, covering 32,534 route miles.