Hurricane Debby, initially a Category 1 storm, made landfall on Monday, August 5, causing Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to declare states of emergency.
Severe Weather Strikes Florida
Florida faced the brunt of Hurricane Debby, with the Orlando Sentinel reporting wind speeds reaching up to 95 mph. The storm triggered numerous tornado warnings and caused extensive flooding in the Gulf Coast and North Florida regions.
The state has issued two separate emergency declarations due to the storm. One is set to expire on Thursday, August 8, while the other will remain effective until August 15. These orders provide relief to motor carriers and drivers offering emergency services or supplies to the affected areas by waiving IFTA, IRP, and size and weight regulations for divisible loads.
According to an emergency order released, up to 12 inches of rain could fall within the week.
“These conditions could damage the operational capability of critical infrastructure to include major interstates and roadways, bridges, airports, schools, hospitals, power grids and other critical infrastructure,” the Hurricane Debby declaration stated.
Georgia’s Response to Hurricane Debby
Georgia’s emergency declaration offers regulatory relief from hours-of-service and size and weight restrictions for commercial vehicles distributing goods and services in response to the storm.
“This storm has the potential to produce severe impacts to citizens throughout south central and southeast coastal Georgia,” the emergency order emphasized. “Assistance from the state is necessary to provide for the public’s safety, protect public and private property, and maintain the social and economic welfare of the state.”
Commercial vehicles operating outside regular weight, height, and length limits will receive permits from the Georgia Department of Public Safety. The emergency also enforces the state’s prohibition on price gouging of motor fuel, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products.
South Carolina’s Emergency Measures
South Carolina’s executive order highlights the potential for significant property damage and disruption of essential services. Thus, regulations concerning registration, permits, length, width, weight, and load are suspended for commercial and utility vehicles traveling on non-interstate routes for up to 120 days, provided these vehicles do not exceed a gross weight of 90,000 pounds or a width of 12 feet.
Additionally, time-of-service suspensions for commercial and utility vehicles on both interstate and non-interstate routes are in effect for up to 30 days.
Source: Land line
