Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Florida Braces for Hurricane Irma’s Impact

Hurricane Irma, already one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever develop in the Atlantic, will likely make landfall on the U.S. mainland by the end of the week. In preparation, state and federal agencies are already declaring an emergency on the ground.

by Staff
September 6, 2017
Florida Braces for Hurricane Irma’s Impact

 

2 min to read


Hurricane Irma's likely path will take it along Florida's southern tip. Graphic: National Hurricane Center

Hurricane Irma, already one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever develop in the Atlantic, will likely make landfall on the U.S. mainland by the end of the week. In preparation, state and federal agencies are already declaring an emergency on the ground.

Ad Loading...

Similar to a declaration made for Hurricane Harvey, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has temporarily suspended several trucking regulations in the states in and around the expected path of Irma. Carriers and drivers in direct support of relief efforts related to Hurricane Irma are granted emergency relief from Parts 390 through 399 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations. By lifting regulations, FMCSA aims to ease the flow of emergency goods, fuel, and aid to and from the region.

Ad Loading...

The suspended regulations include those concerned with hours of service, inspection, repair, and maintenance, hazardous materials transportation, driving, parking, and other health and safety standards.

States covered by the Irma temporary suspension currently include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. FMCSA has also set up page with all the latest transportation updates related to Hurricane Irma.

The same suspension of regulations was declared for 26 states during Hurricane Harvey and it is still in effect. FMCSA’s Hurricane Harvey page is available here.

On Sept. 5, President Trump declared an emergency in the state of Florida, Puerto Rico and in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Florida Governor Rick Scott also declared an emergency in the state and ordered the Florida National Guard to report for duty.

Irma is expected to make landfall on the southern tip of Florida. Mandatory evacuations began in Key West and more mandatory evacuations are likely as the storm nears. To help keep traffic moving, Gov. Scott suspended all tolls in the state for the duration of the storm’s impact on Florida.

Ad Loading...

Rated a Category 5 Hurricane, with sustained winds of over 185 miles per hour and considerable size, Irma is currently the strongest storm ever seen in the Atlantic basin. While it is still a few days away from hitting Florida, current models show a likely landfall of either late Saturday or early Sunday, hitting Southern Florida before possibly moving up the East Coast.

While Hurricane Harvey was known mostly for the incredible deluge of up to 50 inches of rain it brought down in some parts, Hurricane Irma is likely to be defined by its destructive winds and size, as it is only projected to produce 15 inches of rain at most.

More Operations

Amalgamation of fleet operating costs for 2026
Operations•by Chris Brown•November 1, 2026

Managing Fleet Costs in an Era of Permanent Volatility

Fleet operating costs have risen more than 20% since 2020, raising a key question: When does extending a vehicle's service life stop making financial sense?

Read More →
An Automotive Fleet podcast thumbnail
Operations•October 29, 2026

The Next Evolution of Fleet Management: Autonomous Operations

This opening keynote session at the Fleet Forward Conference highlights the future of autonomous driving for fleets.

Read More →
A picture of a transparent catalytic converter with blue text and the Automotive Fleet logo on the top.
Operations•October 29, 2026

How to Reduce the Total Cost of Risk From Catalytic Converter Theft

A stolen catalytic converter can cost fleets far more in downtime and lost productivity than in repairs. A total-cost-of-risk approach can help fleet managers quantify their exposure and prioritize theft prevention.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
AF news recap thumbnail
Operations•by Faith Howell•October 26, 2026

Personal-Use Charges Rise as Vehicle Values Fall | AF News Recap

Personal-use charges are climbing, wholesale used-vehicle values are declining, and commercial fleet sales growth is slowing. This week, we're breaking down the latest fleet data, plus how Element Fleet Management is helping Waymo prepare for its first Canadian robotaxi market.

Read More →
A transparent blue background of a hand stamping a paper is the background of text that says "What about fleet policy exceptions?" with the Automotive Fleet logo in the bottom right corner.
Operations•by Faith Howell•October 20, 2026

Here's When You Should Make an Exception to Fleet Policy

Fleet policies are designed to create consistency, but not every driver or situation fits neatly within standard rules.

Read More →
A hand writing on an ipad with a transparent AI graphic over it
Operations•October 20, 2026

AI-Native or AI-Acquired: What Should Fleet Managers Look for in an AI Platform?

Six questions can help fleet managers look beyond AI marketing claims to evaluate integration, data access, and real-world operational performance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Chevin 2026 Buyes Guide cover
Sponsored•October 14, 2026

A buyer's guide to fleet management software in 2027

Buying fleet management software in 2027 means looking beyond features and price. As fleet operations, technology and expectations evolve, this guide explores what today’s fleet professionals should consider when choosing a system that can deliver value now and adapt to what comes next.

Read More →
An overhead image of a freeway system with no vehicles
Sponsored•by Shelley Mika•October 13, 2026

What Will Shape the Next Era of Fleet Management?

EVs, AI, and autonomous vehicles are reshaping fleet management. Discover what’s ahead—and how fleet leaders can prepare for the next era.

Read More →
A Cox Fleet technician working on the left with the rear view of a military man saluting a flag on the right
Operations•October 8, 2026

How Fleets Can Recruit and Train Veterans for Technician Roles

Here's how the technician shortage has affected uptime for fleets, and what to do about it.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A transparent toll background with the Automotive Fleet logo and Neology logo on top.
Operations•October 5, 2026

Avis Budget Group Deploys Neology Toll Management Technology Across Major Brands

Neology’s neoFleet platform will manage toll transactions and toll-authority operations for vehicles across Avis, Budget, Payless, Budget Truck and Zipcar.

Read More →