Executive order, 2018 November 6

THE STATE OF GEORGIA
EXECUTIVE ORDER
BY THE GOVERNOR:

Whereas: On October 12, 2018, due to the impacts of Hurricane Michael, I declared a State of Emergency for 108 Georgia counties; and

Whereas :

Hurricane Michael produced excessive rainfall and damaging winds, causing fallen trees, loss of power, closure of state and local roads, devastation of commercial timber and agriculture, and the destruction of numerous properties in the affected Georgia counties; and

Whereas: President Trump declared a Federal Major Disaster exists in Georgia due to the damage resulting from Hurricane Michael; and

Whereas: Debris piles line nearly every road in Georgia's southwest counties and pose a danger to citizens via the closure of emergency lanes, typically reserved for first responder and stranded motorist use; and

Whereas: Debris piles also create blind spots on the roadways and force pedestrians to navigate more dangerous paths due to limited access to crosswalks and bus stops; and

Whereas: Significant timber damage exists in the affected areas which jeopardizes the long term health of timber operations in those areas; and

Whereas: The assistance of the government of the state of Georgia is necessary to protect the public health, preserve the safety of the public, keep property damage to a minimum and restore the social and economic welfare of impacted counties; and

Whereas:

The authority is vested in the Governor by virtue of O.C.G.A. 38-3-51 to issue reasonable orders, rules and regulations deemed necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare, and bring the emergency situation under control within the acknowledged limitations of the powers of the Governor.

NOW THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS Governor of the state of Georgia, it is hereby

Ordered: That the State of Emergency is hereby renewed in the following counties: Baker, Bleckley, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly,

Dougherty, Early, Grady, Laurens, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Pulaski, Randolph, Seminole, Sumter, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Wilcox, and Worth.

It is further

Ordered:

That a State of Emergency exists for the purpose of suspending the federal rules and regulations limiting hours operators of commercial vehicles may drive in order to ensure the uninterrupted supply of emergency or disaster related aid, materials, supplies, and goods and services (to include any agricultural or other food products), as well as to ensure debris removal in the affected areas. This emergency justifies a suspension of Part 395 (driver's hours of service) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations for commercial vehicles traveling to/from the 28 counties. The suspension will remain in effect for two (2) weeks or until the emergency condition ceases to exist, whichever is less. Nothing herein will be construed as an exemption from the Commercial Driver's License requirements in 49 C.F.R. 383 and the financial requirements in 49 C.F.R. 387.

It is further

Ordered:

That no motor carrier operating under the terms of this emergency declaration will require or allow an ill or fatigued driver to operate a motor vehicle. A driver who notifies a motor vehicle carrier that he or she needs immediate rest will be given at least ten (10) consecutive hours off-duty before being required to return to service.

It is further

Ordered:

That weight, height and length for any such vehicle traveling to or from the 28 counties included in this State of Emergency for the purposes of providing disaster relief and/or debris removal, which traverses roadways maintained by the State of Georgia, shall not exceed the following:

A. A maximum gross vehicle weight for vehicles equipped with five (5) weight bearing axles, with an outer bridge span of not less than fifty one (51) feet, shall not exceed a gross vehicle weight of ninety five (95) thousand pounds, a maximum width of ten (10) feet and an overall length of one hundred (100) feet. Continuous travel is authorized, with the proper escorts.

B. If the width of said vehicle exceeds eight (8) feet six (6) inches and is traveling after daylight, defined as thirty (30) minutes before sunset to thirty (30) minutes after sunrise, the transporter is required to have a vehicle front and a rear escort/amber light when traveling on a two lane roadway and a vehicle rear escort when traveling on a four lane highway. Transporters are responsible for ensuring they have proper oversize signs, markings, flags and escorts as defined in the Georgia Department of Transportation Rules and Regulations.

It is further

Ordered:

That commercial vehicles operating outside the normal weight, height and length restrictions under the authority of this Executive Order shall be issued permits by the Georgia Department of Public Safety. Said vehicles shall be subject to any special conditions the Georgia Department of Public Safety may list on applicable permits. Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to allow any vehicle to exceed weight limits posted for bridges and like structures, nor shall anything in this Executive Order be construed to relieve compliance with restrictions other than those specified in this Executive order or from any statute, rule, order or other legal requirement not specifically waived herein.

Oversize permits may be issued by the Georgia Department of Public Safety, Motor Carrier Compliance Division, during normal business hours, Monday through Friday by calling 404-624-7700 or through the Georgia Permitting and Routing Optimization System online portal at https://gapros.dot.ga.gov/.

It is further

Ordered: That this Executive Order does not suspend operation of any state or federal law or regulation, except as specifically described herein.

It is further

Ordered:

That all resources of the state of Georgia be made available to assist in ongoing response and recovery activities in the above mentioned counties, and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency continue executing the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan.

This Executive Order shall be valid for a period of two (2) weeks, beginning on November 7, 2018, and ending at 11:59pm on November 21, 2018.

This

day of November, 2018 at 0 ^* ^ AMVPM.

Governor