DOTD Secretary's Emergency Order - Tropical Storm Francine
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 9:28:06 AM

SECRETARY'S EMERGENCY ORDER


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STATE OF EMERGENCY

TROPICAL STORM FRANCINE

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WHEREAS, pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721, et seq., the Governor declared a State of Emergency in Executive Order Number JML 24-142, whereby said provision of law confers upon the Governor of the State of Louisiana emergency powers to deal with emergencies and disasters, including those caused by fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural or manmade causes, in order to ensure that preparations of this State will be adequate to deal with such emergencies or disasters and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the State of Louisiana;

WHEREAS, when the Governor determines that a disaster or emergency has occurred, or the threat thereof is imminent, La. R.S. 29:724(8)(1) empowers him to declare a state of emergency by executive order or proclamation, or both;

WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has indicated that Tropical Storm Francine, which is currently located in the western Gulf of Mexico, will continue to move toward Louisiana and strengthen into a hurricane.

WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has also indicated that on its current forecast track, Tropical Storm Francine will bring at least moderate impacts to portions of the Louisiana coast;

WHEREAS, under the current National Weather Service Forecast, Tropical Storm Francine will place Louisiana at risk for hurricane force winds, torrential rain, and storm surge along the Louisiana coast beginning on Wednesday, September 11, 2024;

WHEREAS, there is a potential for storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding in all of Louisiana's coastal parishes, especially those parishes east of where Tropical Storm Francine makes landfall;

WHEREAS, the State anticipates that many parishes, including those along Louisiana's coast, will declare states of emergency and assistance may be needed to assist parishes in their response to the approaching tropical storm;

WHEREAS, the safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the state of Louisiana and surrounding states requires the movement of motorists traveling on Louisiana's public highways;

WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute 29:724 confers upon the Governor the authority to suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for the conduct of state business, or the orders, rules, or regulations of any state agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any statute, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency; and

WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute 32:387 authorizes the Governor to delegate to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development the authority to waive the requirements imposed by the department's rules and regulations relative to the issuance of special permits for purposes of disaster, emergency, or emergency preparedness.



NOW THEREFORE, I, TERRENCE J. DONAHUE, JR., Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION l: With respect to the collection of toll payments at facilities under the operation and control of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, specifically, the LA I toll bridge from Leeville to Port Fourchon and Grand Isle:

A. All tolls are waived.

SECTION 2: With respect to commercial motor carriers traveling on public highways of the State of Louisiana for the purpose of emergency preparedness and disaster relief efforts, the provisions of Louisiana Revised Statute 32:386(A) are hereby suspended and the size and weight restrictions for such vehicles shall be as follows:

A. The total gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not exceed eighty-eight thousand pounds.

SECTION 3: Nothing in this Order shall be construed to allow any vehicle transporting commodities or fuel for disaster preparedness and relief to exceed weight limits posted for bridges and like structures, or relieve any vehicle or carrier, owner, or driver thereof from compliance with any restrictions other than those specified in this emergency order, or from any statute, rule, order, or other legal requirement not specifically waived herein.

SECTION 4: Nothing in this Order shall be construed or interpreted as being applicable to travel on interstate highways, non-state-maintained highways, or to the transport of commodities that are not in support of rescue, recovery, or repair efforts associated with Tropical Storm Francine or any subsequent proclamations regarding the weather event.

SECTION 5: This Order is effective upon signature and shall continue in effect from Monday, September 9, 2024, at 10:00 PM until amended, modified, or rescinded.

Terrence J. Donahue, Jr., Secretary
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development