Natural disasters are hitting the country from both sides. The West Coast is consumed by flame while the South East and Gulf Coast is dealing with Hurricane Sally. Both disasters have prompted emergency declarations, road closures, and HOS exemptions.
Out West, California, Oregon, and Washington have been trying to get a handle on the wildfires which are ripping through the region. More than 3 million acres have been consumed in the flames. Thousands of homes and businesses have been burned, and dozens of people have lost their lives.
High winds have allowed the fires to take people by surprise. People have been evacuated after abandoning vehicles on the sides of roadways. Roads are closed at various points along I-5, I-10, and I-80 as firefighters push back against the 30 major wildfires.
FMCSA has issued an emergency declaration for California, Oregon, and Washington that suspends HOS regulations for drivers providing direct assistance to emergency efforts in those states. The waiver will be effective until 11:59pm Eastern on October 19th, though it may be extended.
Hurricane Sally meanwhile made landfall as a Category 2 storm with heavy wind and rains. It dumped 30 inches of rain from the Florida Panhandle to Mobile, Alabama. Winds were so bad that a whole section of the Three Mile Bridge blew away.
An FMCSA Emergency declaration will allow drivers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi to operate outside HOS restrictions if they are providing emergency relief.
Stay safe out there, drivers! Head on a swivel and the shiny side up!
Source: overdrive, fleetowner, overdrive, idahostatesman, overdrive, freightwaves
Truckers are slaves of the system, they ( dot) suspended regulations when they need you and put it back when they don’t need you, guess what I do what ever I want to do, No entity can tell me when and how to drive my truck, any other way will won’t work for me, before you complain look at yourself, if you don’t like it just don’t do it, I quit OTR, let politicians drive the truck.