TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency Friday across 24 counties that could potentially fall in the path of Tropical Depression 9, which is projected to become a Category 3 hurricane next week.
DeSantis urged all Floridians to prepare for the storm’s impact after the tropical wave traveling across the Caribbean Sea organized Friday morning.
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“Today, I signed an Executive Order issuing a State of Emergency due to the threat of Tropical Depression 9,” DeSantis said in a statement. “This storm has the potential to strengthen into a major hurricane and we encourage all Floridians to make their preparations. We are coordinating with all state and local government partners to track potential impacts of this storm.”
The governor further requested a federal pre-landfall emergency declaration, which would make important resources and support available as well as free up funding sources for emergency protective measures. Under the declaration, the Florida National Guard will be activated while awaiting orders.
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Floridians and their families should begin preparing their hurricane kits and ensuring they are stocked with food, water and medicine should a storm impact their area.
The state of emergency affects the following counties:
- Brevard
- Broward
- Charlotte
- Collier
- DeSoto
- Glades
- Hardee
- Hendry
- Highlands
- Hillsborough
- Indian River
- Lee
- Manatee
- Martin
- Miami-Dade
- Monroe
- Okeechobee
- Osceola
- Palm Beach
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Sarasota
- St. Lucie
Central Florida counties are also offering sandbag locations as Tropical Depression 9 makes its way across the Caribbean Sea. You can find those here.
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