The FMCSA has suspended hours regs for relief haulers along the Gulf Coast, and a portion of Interstate 10 at the Alabama/Florida line is closed since Hurricane Sally made landfall and wreaked havoc.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a regional emergency declaration for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, allowing carriers providing emergency relief in the affected areas to waive the hours of service regulations.
The waiver applies to carriers providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts by transporting supplies, goods, equipment and fuel.
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has shut down Interstate 10 from the Alabama-Florida border to the Escambia Bay Bridge in Florida.
FDOT also announced Garcon Point Bridge in Santa Rosa County will remain closed until further notice to give inspectors the opportunity to assess damage to the structure caused by Hurricane Sally.
The closure is in addition to the Pensacola Bay Bridge, which will remain closed for at least the next 30 to 60 days to repair damage.
Sally was a Category 2 Hurricane when it made landfall and has weakened, but still brought catastrophic flooding to parts of NW Florida and southern Alabama. New flood threats in Georgia and South Carolina are expected.