You're absolutely correct. And in fact, here's an example:

Quote:

Federal Highway Administration
The railroad industry, including passenger rail, commuter trains, and freight railroads, were deployed to support emergency response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Trains were used to move some evacuees out of the region and to transport heavy equipment, supplies, and relief equipment into the area.

So yes, they did exactly that - they provided a lot of services and relief in the area. Now, here's something even more interesting, though...

Quote:

Federal Highway Administration
In the initial preparations for the landfall of Hurricane Katrina, Amtrak offered help but was turned down—so a train with 900 seats (7 locomotives and 20 cars) rolled away empty a day and a half before the storm.

I can tell you from having a background in emergency management that FEMA was in the "preliminary" stages of involvement at this point...meaning FEMA did not tell them no...that was done at the STATE level.

Anyway, for anyone interested, follow this link and scroll down to the FRA section - not a whole lot of info, but it does cast a little light on emergency response with railroads.

[www.fhwa.dot.gov]