SEVERE WEATHER AND FLOODING PROCLAMATION – MOTOR CARRIER SERVICES
This informational memo is to inform motor carriers, law enforcement, and staff about the Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued June 22, 2024. The proclamation provides relief from regulatory provisions for motor carriers moving loads related to disaster repairs for the duration of this declared disaster in the following counties: Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Fremont, Hancock, Harrison, Humboldt, Kossuth, Lyon, Mills, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Pottawattamie, Sioux, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth, Wright.
Additionally, due to the Clay County treasurer’s office being completely unable to operate for several days, the following extra relief is also available to Clay County vehicle registrants and applicants only: waiver of the expiration dates for vehicle registration, registration cards, and registration plates, waiver of the 30-day timeframe for a transferee of a new motor vehicle to apply for new registration and a certificate of title, and waiver of the 45-day timeframe to operate a vehicle with a temporary tag.
On June 21, 2024, a storm system caused severe weather, including damaging winds, straight-line winds, tornadoes, heavy rains, thunderstorms, and flash flooding which resulted in significant damages to public and private property, power outages from downed power lines and poles and large debris piles. The Governor’s proclamation provides relief from the following:
- Allows a vehicle to move overweight loads up to 90,000 pounds without needing to obtain a permit on non-interstate highways (Iowa Code § 321E and Iowa Administrative Code 761-511).
- Allows extended hours of service of motor carriers and drivers of commercial motor vehicles (Iowa Code 321.449).
This regulatory relief applies to disaster repair crews and drivers delivering goods and services while responding to disaster sites and movement of loads related to disaster repairs on all highways in Iowa.
The Governor’s Proclamation is set to expire on July 26, 2024.