TALLAHASSEE, FL (352today.com) – On Saturday, Aug. 26, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 33 counties in preparation for Invest 93L. Forecasters expect the disturbance to strengthen into a tropical storm in the next few days.
The Governor and the Florida Division of Emergency Management are taking timely precautions to ensure Florida’s communities, infrastructure and resources are prepared, including those communities that are still recovering following Hurricane Ian.
“I signed an Executive Order issuing a state of emergency out of an abundance of caution to ensure that the Florida Division of Emergency Management can begin staging resources and Floridians have plenty of time to prepare their families for a storm next week,” said DeSantis. “I encourage Floridians to have a plan in place and ensure that their hurricane supply kit is stocked.”
If you need to stock up on any supplies, Florida’s hurricane preparedness tax-free holiday starts today and ends September 8.
RELATED: Potential Gulf storm brewing. Florida impact uncertain.
The forecast currently places a tropical storm or hurricane making landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast early – mid next week, with the potential for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and for isolated tornadic activity. Governor DeSantis issued the State of Emergency for the following 33 counties:
- Alachua
- Bay
- Calhoun
- Charlotte
- Citrus
- Columbia
- DeSoto
- Dixie
- Franklin
- Gadsden
- Gilchrist
- Gulf
- Hamilton
- Hardee
- Hernando
- Hillsborough
- Jefferson
- Lafayette
- Lee
- Leon
- Levy
- Liberty
- Madison
- Manatee
- Marion
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Sarasota
- Sumter
- Suwannee
- Taylor
- Wakulla
To read the Executive Order, click here.
To find resources to help you and your family prepare for this storm, you can visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management.