As Hurricane Dorian intensifies and nears the U.S., the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has expanded their emergency declaration to include 10 southeastern states.
On August 29, the FMSCA announced that they were expanding the emergency declaration issued for Florida to include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The emergency declaration suspends certain regulations including Hours of Service for drivers who are providing relief services or supplies in response to Hurricane Dorian.
The FMCSA notes that the emergency declaration applies to truckers who are providing “direct assistance for the immediate restoration of essential services (such as electrical, sewer, water, and telecommunications) or essential supplies (such as food, water, medical supplies, and fuel).”
Though HOS rules are suspended, the FMCSA says drivers may not operate if they are fatigued, ill, or in any way presenting a danger to others on the roadway.
Drivers are still required to comply with CDL, drug/alcohol, hazardous materials, size & weight, or State/Federal registration, and tax requirements.
Hurricane Dorian has strengthened into a Category 3 storm and is expected to reach Florida by Monday.
Gas has already become so difficult to find in Florida that state troopers are escorting tanker trucks to gas stations.
You can click here to learn more about the emergency declaration.