SECRETARY WAIVER ORDER

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HURRICANE IDA

FEMA HOUSING UNIT TRANSPORT

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WHEREAS, pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act,42 U.S.C. 5121, et seq., President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared a state of emergency in Louisiana via DR-4611-LA on EM-3568 on August 29, 2021; and

WHEREAS, the safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the affected areas of Louisiana require that the movements of operators of commercial motor carriers traveling on the public highways of the state of Louisiana for the purposes of emergency preparedness, disaster relief, and ongoing recovery efforts be expedited; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 32:387, the Governor has delegated the authority to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development to waive the requirements relative to the rules of permits for the purpose of disaster, emergency or emergency preparedness; and

WHEREAS, to deal with emergencies and disasters and 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 citizens of the state of Louisiana, including the authority to suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for 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, Hurricane Ida caused severe flooding and wind damage in parts of Louisiana that damaged homes, businesses and disrupted the nation’s fuel supply; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) intends to deliver housing units to affected areas of Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, to meet immediate housing needs for displaced Louisiana citizens and limit day time traffic congestion, FEMA has sought permit relief and authorization for night movement from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

NOW THEREFORE, I, TERRENCE J. DONAHUE, JR, Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development, State of Louisiana, 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 1: Specific to mobile housing units being transported in Louisiana on behalf of FEMA shall not be subject to applicable permit requirements for size, weight and are authorized to move at night. All loads over width or length traveling at night shall have an escort equipped with a dome, bar, or strobe light that is amber in color with 360 degree visibility. All other requirements for the movement of oversize loads with regards to time of travel during peak travel hours through urban/metropolitan areas are still in effect.

SECTION 2: Specific to mobile housing units being transported in Louisiana on behalf of FEMA during the day will not require an escort.

SECTION 3: Nothing in this Order shall be construed or interpreted as allowing any vehicle or carrier to exceed weight limits posted for bridges and like structures, or being applicable to travel on non-state maintained highways, or as being applicable to the transport of commodities or equipment that are not in support of rescue, recovery and repair efforts associated with the emergency as described above.

SECTION 4: This Order, effective as of August 30, 2021, was previously extended until July 1, 2022, then subsequently extended until November 30, 2022, then extended until May 31, 2023, then extended until May 31, 2024, unless, amended, modified, or rescinded, and it is hereby further extended until May 31, 2025.

Terrence J. Donahue, Jr., Secretary

Department of Transportation and Development