Emergency Order Covers 25 Counties
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order placing 25 counties under a state of emergency in preparation for Tropical Depression Nine. The counties are Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla and Washington. Baker and Columbia are in Northeast Florida. The storm is expected to strengthen in the coming days.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S7]
DeSantis said the order would let the Florida Division of Emergency Management stage critical preparedness resources and ensure the state is ready to respond. He also urged Floridians to use the time to put disaster plans in place and make sure their hurricane supply kits are stocked.[S1]
Resources Staged for Rapid Deployment
Florida's State Emergency Response Team, or SERT, is gathering supplies and personnel to assist with preparing for and answering the storm. Equipment and materials are being positioned in Tallahassee as well as the Santa Rosa region so they can be moved quickly where needed. Among the pre-positioned items are generators, fuel, flood barriers, pallets of boxed water, shelf-stable meals, flood buckets, tarps, Tiger Dams and sandbags.[S1]
Forecast and Potential Impacts
The Governor's Office reports that, based on current forecasts, a tropical storm or hurricane may come ashore somewhere along the central Gulf Coast later in the week. Effects are likely to reach areas beyond where landfall occurs, with the possibility of heavy rain, powerful winds, coastal flooding and isolated tornadoes across North Florida. Because the state has already seen substantial rainfall recently, more rain could saturate the ground further and raise the risk of flash flooding.[S1]
People living in the affected areas are urged to check FloridaDisaster.org for guidance on getting ready before the storm arrives. Up-to-the-minute information can also be found by following @FLSERT on X.[S1]
