Florida Governor DeSantis Expands State of Emergency For Hurricane Helene
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| Florida Governor Ron DeSantis |
TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Governor Ron DeSantis amended Executive Order 24-208, which expands a state of emergency from 41 to 61 counties in Florida as Tropical Storm Helene poses a significant threat.
The order, effective immediately, aims to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of the storm, which is forecast to become Hurricane Helene.
The counties under the state of emergency include 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.
The State of Emergency makes funding available to assist local and state agencies responding to the disaster area, activates the Florida National Guard, as needed, and gives agencies the discretion to modify rules, deadlines, and licensing requirements where appropriate.
"Now is the time to make an emergency plan, know your evacuation zone, and be as prepared as possible for the storm," said DeSantis.
We are tracking Potential Tropical Cyclone #9, which is likely to strengthen this week as the system enters the Gulf of Mexico. I have issued Executive Order 24-208, declaring a state of emergency in 41 counties in Florida that could see potential impacts from the storm and…
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 23, 2024
