Hurricane Ian

When a storm like this is predicted, do trucking companies get their trucks and drivers out of the area? Never considered this before, but trailers and 100+ MPH winds are not a good combination.

Yes, they will monitor large weather events. However, a driver needs to be aware of weather, present and future. My current company attempted to send me up to NJ last winter, the day prior to a major snow event. I squashed that idea.

Will DOT generally waive or ease HOS for them to move trailers? ie moving them from Houston to Dallas or Atlanta or something like that with multiple drivers making multiple trips?

When a storm like this is predicted, do trucking companies get their trucks and drivers out of the area? Never considered this before, but trailers and 100+ MPH winds are not a good combination.

Yes, they will monitor large weather events. However, a driver needs to be aware of weather, present and future. My current company attempted to send me up to NJ last winter, the day prior to a major snow event. I squashed that idea.

Will DOT generally waive or ease HOS for them to move trailers? ie moving them from Houston to Dallas or Atlanta or something like that with multiple drivers making multiple trips?

When a storm like this is predicted, do trucking companies get their trucks and drivers out of the area? Never considered this before, but trailers and 100+ MPH winds are not a good combination.

Yes, they will monitor large weather events. However, a driver needs to be aware of weather, present and future. My current company attempted to send me up to NJ last winter, the day prior to a major snow event. I squashed that idea.

Yessir,

They already have. Had the wheels in motion yesterday, I believe. Florida HOS waiver ahead of Hurricane...

Where's Steve L. ?!?!?

~ Anne ~

Will DOT generally waive or ease HOS for them to move trailers? ie moving them from Houston to Dallas or Atlanta or something like that with multiple drivers making multiple trips?

No. Their trailers are their problem. HOS are typically only waived for relief loads. If you're hauling a load designated as disaster relief you're subject to normal HOS regulations UNLESS that state, or states you're travelling through have a declaration that states HOS are waived. Once you deliver that load you may need to take a 10 hour break before you can move the truck after delivering. If you're ever exempt from HOS your company will give you guidance on how to document it to avoid issues.

Will DOT generally waive or ease HOS for them to move trailers? ie moving them from Houston to Dallas or Atlanta or something like that with multiple drivers making multiple trips?

No. Their trailers are their problem. HOS are typically only waived for relief loads. If you're hauling a load designated as disaster relief you're subject to normal HOS regulations UNLESS that state, or states you're travelling through have a declaration that states HOS are waived. Once you deliver that load you may need to take a 10 hour break before you can move the truck after delivering. If you're ever exempt from HOS your company will give you guidance on how to document it to avoid issues.

Rob T., and others;

I totally agree with you , and see where you are coming from. However, addendum, per us: if I / we drove for a company that was more concerned with their 'trailer recovery' before driver safety, and/or disaster relief . . . I'd not bear that name on a door.

With the tolls being shut down, Florida is encouraging 'non essential' tractor trailers to exit, toll free, out of the state.

Florida is very vague, they always have been. It's really unclear . . . entirely. Here's another look, and the FDOT Secretary, Jared Perdue, is the first link down. Short PDF, within.

Tolls are shut down, as of current, ..... not sure when that began. FDOT updates, re: Tolls, HOS, etc . . .

I could be entirely out of line; I'm not a driver. Albeit, I'm pretty familiar with rules, regs, and laws. I've been on and off the communique with my family all day, ... and there are NO Tractor Trailers out and about, but the DOT/Gov. folks ... trying to keep power on.

Just south of my stomping grounds: Power Outages; Only FPL Trucks out & about.

Ironically, the FDOT wished they'd have epically, moved faster: Florida DOT; waivers, capacity, et al..

Prayers, drivers. Families. Mine, yours, theirs.

~ Anne & Fam ~

Latest update, The eye is projected to pass directly over Winter Haven/Dundee tonight with Cat 1 winds near 90 and up to 20" rain. All is good here at my brother in laws house. I will check back later.

Anyone else have folks in Florida?

Spoke to my family in Bradenton (Manatee County) at 0200 via DM on Fb .. last. Can't dial in; all circuits are busy. They're all congregating at my niece's house; highest elevation of the group.

Tom's family is in Ft. Myers; none of our peeps evacuated. Spoke to them around 2300 last night.

Looks awful. Prayers to all.

Where's Steve L. ?????

~ Anne ~

The latest from water soaked Fl. The eye turned further south last night and went closer to Sebring an will exit somewhere near Melbourne/Palm Bay at best glance. We stayed with my brother in law in his home in Kissimmee along Shingle Creek and 17-92. So far we've had just shy of 10" of rain and they say the winds overnight were about 70-80 mph. Shingle Creek has overflowed it's banks and will continue to rise for the day. It is still raining, windy and tornado watches are in effect. Our home in Winter Haven has survived any damage according to our local manager but is without power for now. We will stay here until the power is back on and return maybe this weekend. Thanks to everyone for their words and thoughts. We'll keep you posted.

So did everyone in Fla make it through relatively unscathed? I’m on the coast in NC and am waiting for our turn with Ian. Live on the coast long enough and you get good at dealing with hurricanes. At least good enough to know each one is different. Hard to prepare with some of these storms that walk up the coast. Will it go inland and dissipate into a rain event? Will it go back out over water and strengthen? With every one you prepare for the worst and hope for the best. One thing that makes me nervous is the Gulf Stream. All summer it’s been close to shore. We can tell by the size of the fish being caught from the beach. This is an issue because that stream is literally a super highway for storms. Once it gets in that and gains strength it can do a lot of damage all the way up the coast. So not that I’m wishing destruction on anybody, but I would prefer if this thing goes inland. It immediately weakens and breaks up when it gets far enough on land.

So did everyone in Fla make it through relatively unscathed? I’m on the coast in NC and am waiting for our turn with Ian. Live on the coast long enough and you get good at dealing with hurricanes. At least good enough to know each one is different. Hard to prepare with some of these storms that walk up the coast. Will it go inland and dissipate into a rain event? Will it go back out over water and strengthen? With every one you prepare for the worst and hope for the best. One thing that makes me nervous is the Gulf Stream. All summer it’s been close to shore. We can tell by the size of the fish being caught from the beach. This is an issue because that stream is literally a super highway for storms. Once it gets in that and gains strength it can do a lot of damage all the way up the coast. So not that I’m wishing destruction on anybody, but I would prefer if this thing goes inland. It immediately weakens and breaks up when it gets far enough on land.

Just have to hope that it doesn't stall out and become a Harvey or Sandy situation. But, better odds for going inland and dying.