FMCSA and Several States Issue Regional Emergency Declarations for Hurricane Ian

FMCSA

On September 28, FMCA issued an emergency declaration in response to Hurricane Ian. Affected states covered in this emergency declaration are as follows: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to the emergency are granted relief from hours of service regulations to facilitate delivery of immediate restoration of essential supplies. Direct assistance does not include transportation to long term rehabilitation or routine commercial deliveries, as well as other stipulations.

Additional restrictions and limitations apply. The emergency declaration is set to expire at the end of the emergency or the end of October 28, 2022, whichever is earlier. The full emergency declaration can be accessed by clicking here. It is recommended to print a copy of this document for drivers exercising this declaration.  

Florida

Florida has waived hours of service, size and weight restrictions for certain counties and commodities as outlined in Florida Executive Order 22-218, also as a response to Hurricane Ian. The size and weight restrictions do not apply to the interstate highway system unless the President declares an emergency. The nature of the hurricane will lead to an atypically large and violent storm surge. As such, the Florida Trucking Association is working closely with private companies to provide truck parking outside of areas that will receive the worst effects of the storms, but these instances are established on a case-by-case basis by specific location.

Alabama

Alabama DOT has authorized supply trucks responding to Hurricane Ian emergency to bypass weigh station facilities through October 24, although size and weight restrictions remain unchanged.

Kentucky

Kentucky has filed a separate state of emergency suspending hours of service and weigh station requirements for commercial vehicles responding to Hurricane Ian through October 20. Official Order 112992 can be accessed by clicking here. Statewide size and weight permit fees are waived for commercial vehicles responding to affected areas, with additional details and conditions can be found within the order.

NTTC staff will continue to monitor federal and state waivers and responses to Hurricane Ian, and will broadcast updates when available.