Gov. Robert Bentley lifted the state of emergency related to this week’s winter storm at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14.
Alabama began its third state of emergency in a month at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11.
When Alabama experiences a state of emergency, Alabama’s price gouging law is in effect.
ALABAMA’S PRICE GOUGING LAW: Makes it unlawful for anyone to raise prices on commodities or lodging by more than 25 percent during the declared state of emergency. To avoid violating Alabama’s price gouging law, figure the price charged for each of the previous 30 days. Add the 30 daily prices, divide by 30, and multiply the price by .25, or 25 percent, to figure the maximum price increase allowed for any one day. The exception is if a wholesale price increases by more than 25 percent and merchants have no choice but to pass along the price increase.
The fine for violating Alabama’s price gouging law can be up to $1,000 per incident. Those who willfully and continually violate the law can be banned from doing business in Alabama.
The emergency proclamation allowed truck drivers delivering disaster-related supplies and goods to exceed the hours of service or spend less time off duty than required by federal law. The waiver only applied to the time a driver was delivering the disaster supplies for up to five days after the emergency declaration, or until the declaration ended. Under federal law, a driver may drive only during a period of 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty. The proclamation loosens that regulation only as it relates to the timely delivery of disaster supplies for the five days after the emergency declaration.
ROAD CLOSURES
The main site for the latest road and bridge closures and openings can be found at Alabama Department of Transportation Road Conditions. You can print off reports for counties where you operate from that site and it is updated regularly. Because of the volume of usage, the site may be slow to respond.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
- For medical and life-threatening emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
- Drivers can report an accident or other emergencies to state troopers by dialing *HP on their cellular devices.
- Businesses that want to know how to help or donate to relief efforts, call 2-1-1.
Visit Alabama Retail’s Emergency Preparedness page for other links to the state’s emergency management resources.
Governor’s news release on the latest emergency declaration
6 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014: For the second time in less than a week, Gov. Robert Bentley declared a state of emergency in Alabama related to winter weather on Monday, Jan. 27, 2014. The statewide emergency officially began at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Governor’s Jan. 27 Emergency Proclamation
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014: Gov. Robert Bentley declared a state of emergency in Alabama because of the threat of a propane gas shortage related to extreme winter weather.
Governor’s Jan. 23 Emergency Proclamation
According to a news release from the governor’s office, the state of emergency:
- suspends “the rules and regulations regarding the purchase and sale of propane gas directed by the propane gas industry, and allows propane tank owners to purchase propane from any company that sells it.”
- Lifts federal transportation motor carrier laws and allows more flexibility in the delivery to homes, schools and businesses; and
- activates Alabama’s price gouging law (see above).