[ST. PAUL, MN] - Minnesota Governor Tim Walz today signed Emergency Executive Order 19-08, providing relief to motor carriers and drivers operating in Minnesota. Extreme winter weather conditions, record snowfall in the months of January and February, a late thaw, and recent precipitation are all contributing to a higher than normal risk of widespread flooding throughout Minnesota. Nearly a third of Minnesota’s eighty-seven counties are currently impacted by flooding or ice jams, and the following counties have each declared a local emergency: Big Stone, Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Nobles, Norman, Rock, Traverse, Wilkin, and Yellow Medicine.

The Executive Order exempts vehicles providing direct assistance for emergency flooding preparations, transporting sand, clay, or other materials used to construct protective measures to prevent flooding from the seasonal load restrictions on local and state highways and streets imposed by Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 169.87, subdivisions 1 and 2. The exemption will allow motor carriers to provide assistance by transporting supplies and materials to affected areas around the state.

The Emergency Executive Order goes into effect today, March 22, 2019 and remains in effect until the conclusion of the emergency conditions or until the commercial motor carrier or driver ceases direct assistance in providing emergency relief, whichever occurs first.