With the devastation and damage that occurred to Florida by Hurricane Ian the FMCSA has issued an emergency declaration for all commercial vehicles that are transporting goods and services to the Southeastern states.
This Regional Emergency Declaration was issued on September 28, 2022 and was because of Hurricane Ian’s landfall in Florida as well as the anticipated threats to citizens and property damage from heavy rainfall, high surf, flooding, and strong wind.
States of Emergency
Commercial vehicles and drivers that are aiding during this emergency to the seven states are given temporary relief from the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Section 395.3 for the maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles. These states include
- Florida
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
Commercial vehicles aiding in emergency relief by transporting goods, supplies, equipment, and fuel to these states are involved in the emergency declaration. The declaration specifies when a driver is transporting relief services to normal businesses transporting property, a 10-hour break that is required when the total time is 14 or more hours, the driver is engaged in emergency relief or combined emergency/normal work.
Emergency assistance ends when the truck driver is used in interstate commerce transport or to provide nonemergency services, or when a carrier dispatches the driver to another location to begin business operations.