Gov. Ron DeSantis expands State of Emergency to 61 counties ahead of possible Major Hurricane Helene

With a potential major hurricane inching ever closer to Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has given an update, including an expanded state of emergency declaration, up from 41 to 61 counties

Gov DeSantis declares State of Emergency for 41 counties as potential Hurricane Helene targets Florida

As the chances of a major hurricane bearing down on Florida in the coming days significantly increase by the hour, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has expanded a declared state of emergency to 61 of the state's 67 counties.

During an update on the possible hurricane on Tuesday morning, the governor commented that the updated state of emergency now covers “every county in Florida outside Southeast Florida.”

As the storm heads toward Florida, it is expected to rapidly grow into a powerful hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.

DeSantis' order placed Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie in charge of the state's response, including coordinating efforts with utility companies, neighboring states and the federal government.

The State of Emergency allows state officials to make resources available to communities ahead of any potential storm impacts.

DeSantis' has also activated the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard, ahead of posible severe impacts throughout the state.

The State of Emergency now includes:

Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington Counties.

The goveor urged residents to prepare now, "Prepare. You have time to do it. There's a lot of uncertainty with this storm. But the one thing that is certain is we are gonna see some impacts."

The National Weather Service is warning that it's increasingly likely that if Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine strengthens into Hurricane Helene, it's going to be primarily a Florida impact and potentially a significant one at that.

The NHC is now predicting that Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is expected to intensify to near-hurricane strength when it reaches the far northwestern Caribbean Sea on Wednesday, and will likely intensify into a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) as it approaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday.

The NHC is warning Floridians to take the potential for severe weather seriously, commenting, "The potential for life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds along the coast of the Florida Panhandle and the Florida west coast is increasing,"

Residents are being urged to have their hurricane plan in place, and also follow advice given by local officials.

Ahead of possible severe weather, the National Weather Service (NWS) has began to issue watches and warning across the state.

Here in Central Florida a Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for Orange, Seminole, Lake, & Osceola Counties, which includes Greater Orlando, and all the major tourism areas including Walt Dinsey World and Universal Orlando Resort.

Impacts across Central Florida in the next 48 hours could include tropical storm-force winds, heavy rain, and possible tornadoes.

On the west coast, a hurricane watch and storm surge watch is in effect for along the Gulf Coast from Sarasota County to the Florida Panhandle, including Tampa. That means hurricane force winds are possible within 48 hours.

A storm surge watch is also in effect along much of the Florida coast, along with a tropical storm watch for parts of southwest and northwest Florida, beyond the hurricane watch area.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the watches early Tuesday morning, September 24, 2024.

As the storm progresses we will keep you updated with the latest information.

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