Winter weather continues to cause problems -

A second winter storm, Cora, in less than one week is creating more travel and safety concerns across the southern United States.

Heavy snowfall, ice, sleet and freezing temperatures left more than 30,000 customers without power in Texas and Arkansas, while 10,000-plus in Mississippi had no electricity as of Friday morning, Jan. 10.

The winter storm in the Lower Mississippi Valley will continue moving through the Mid-South and Southeast today and into the Mid-Atlantic overnight. Here are our latest Key Messages with updated snow/ice totals.
Find your local forecast at https://t.co/pGx1JRZLBI pic.twitter.com/RmS6vCD11F
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) January 10, 2025

State emergencies providing regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicles responding to the affected areas have been issued as a result.

Georgia

Hours of service along with size and weight exemptions are in place through Jan. 14 for commercial vehicles transporting goods and providing services.

Commercial vehicles operating outside the normal weight, height and length restrictions will be issued permits but still are not allowed to exceed weight limits posted for bridges and like structures.

Snow and ice accumulation as well as strong winds could result in fallen trees, downed powerlines and hazardous or impassable roadways, according to the Georgia emergency declaration.

“The Georgia Department of Transportation, along with the Department of Public Safety, began treating roads early this morning to prepare for the approaching winter storm, and I’m asking all Georgians to help them do their jobs by limiting travel as much as possible in the coming days,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a Thursday, Jan. 9 news release.

Texas

Relief of maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles providing direct assistance to the delivery of propane and home heating oils to storage facilities and homes in Texas is granted through Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Intrastate and interstate commerce are covered by this order.

Drivers are not required to carry a copy of the declaration.

Motor carriers that have an out-of-service order cannot take advantage of this relief.

South Carolina

Commercial vehicles and operators of commercial vehicles responding to events associated with winter weather conditions impacting the state are exempt from hours-of-service requirements through Jan. 20.

Size and weight exemptions are also in place until Jan. 21.

Any oversize vehicle must obtain a permit with defined routes from the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

“The maintenance and prompt restoration of utility services and the uninterrupted transportation of essential goods, equipment and products to or from the impacted areas are critical to the safety and welfare of the states and neighboring states,” the South Carolina emergency said.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin officials said the state is facing limited supplies of residential heating fuel, including heating oil and propane.

Long wait times at terminals in Wisconsin and neighboring states, combined with the need to truck petroleum products over long distances, are making it difficult for transporters to meet demand while complying with hours of service, the state’s declaration said.

Commercial motor vehicles in the process of obtaining and transporting residential heating fuels to and from a terminal are exempt from federal as well as state hours-of-service requirements through Feb. 7.

This applies to intrastate and interstate commerce. LL