Brazilian steelmaker Gerdau has placed its Beaumont, Texas facility on a temporary outage amid flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey.
Flooded roads and highways to the facility rendered them impassible, keeping shipments and employees away. Water levels are estimated to be six to eight feet below the facility's elevation, which should prevent the mill from flooding.
The mill is expected to return to production within 24 hours of employees' return to the facility. A small crew is keeping the mill's ladles pre-heated.
The facility was able to ship material until Monday before the flooding ensued. Flooding was caused by rising water of nearby rivers caused by Hurricane Harvey. The city lost service from the main and secondary pump station today.
Gerdau's second Texas mill in Midlothian is navigating shipment issues in flooded routes but is otherwise producing according to schedule.
