Gov. Sanders declares state of emergency ahead of winter weather

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency ahead of severe winter weather expected to strike the state according to a release.

Sanders said in the release that the declaration is set to begin on Sunday due to the weather’s potential to cause dangers, hardships, and suffering throughout the state.

“The weather-related conditions could create the need for commercial vehicles to haul heavy equipment, oversized loads, transformers, necessary hardware and other transmission and distribution equipment for the purpose of restoring utility services to the citizens of the State of Arkansas,” the governor said.

In the declaration, the governor said that a motor carrier or driver operating a commercial motor vehicle will be exempt from federal regulations limiting the maximum driving time for property and passenger carrying vehicles for up to 14 days as long as the motor carrier or driver is providing direct assistance in response to the emergency.

Other vehicles the declaration applies to include commercial carriers transporting essential items of commerce to customers in Arkansas during the emergency, including but not limited to groceries, pharmacy items, medical equipment, goods, commodities, fuel, poultry, livestock and feed.

“A state of emergency exists in the State of Arkansas as applied to emergency response vehicles, such as, but not limited to, utility vehicles, bucket trucks, and electric utility supply trucks responding to the storms and related damage,” the governor said. “These emergency response vehicles are authorized to bypass all Arkansas Department of Transportation weigh station facilities through January 13, 2025. This authorization does not include vehicles that require permits to operate on Arkansas' roadways. This authorization does not relieve size and weight restrictions. This declaration only applies to weigh stations and to vehicles traveling in convoy.”

The state of emergency will remain in effect until Jan. 13 unless otherwise terminated. To read the full declaration, visit Governor.Arkansas.Gov.

from KARK https://ift.tt/7FR1OhL