DeSantis declares state of emergency in 27 Florida counties ahead of Hurricane Isaias
Key Points(5)
- Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 27 counties as Hurricane Isaias approaches the state's western Panhandle, with more than 6,000 utility workers and restoration personnel on standby ahead of the storm's expected landfall.
- DeSantis issued Executive Order 26-202, amending a previous executive order, and provided an update on the state's preparations Thursday alongside Jared Perdue, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
- EDT Thursday, Isaias was over the south-central Gulf of America, moving northeast at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph.
- Forecasters expected the storm to strengthen into a strong Category 2 hurricane overnight, with winds reaching 110 mph, before making landfall in the western Panhandle Friday night or early Saturday.
- Tropical storm-force winds could begin affecting the western Panhandle as early as midday Friday.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 27 counties as Hurricane Isaias approaches the state's western Panhandle, with more than 6,000 utility workers and restoration personnel on standby ahead of the storm's expected landfall.
The counties include Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla and Washington.
DeSantis issued Executive Order 26-202, amending a previous executive order, and provided an update on the state's preparations Thursday alongside Jared Perdue, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
As of 5 p.m. EDT Thursday, Isaias was over the south-central Gulf of America, moving northeast at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. Forecasters expected the storm to strengthen into a strong Category 2 hurricane overnight, with winds reaching 110 mph, before making landfall in the western Panhandle Friday night or early Saturday.
Tropical storm-force winds could begin affecting the western Panhandle as early as midday Friday.
The state has mobilized personnel and equipment to support search and rescue operations, emergency communications, debris removal and post-storm recovery.
The Florida State Guard has deployed nearly 400 soldiers for pre-landfall and post-landfall operations, including preliminary damage assessments, route clearance, supply distribution and air, ground and maritime search and rescue.
Its resources include aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, 20 maritime vessels and heavy equipment for clearing debris and accessing affected areas. Four amphibious rescue teams are prepared to assist in flooded or difficult-to-reach terrain.
The State Guard has also prepared teams for debris removal, transportation and logistics support, aerial reconnaissance and shallow-water rescue operations.
Escambia County has requested vehicles, boats and personnel for water and land rescues, along with an unmanned aircraft team to assess damage to critical infrastructure and support search and rescue. Washington County has requested help transporting equipment to establish a special needs shelter.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is coordinating the state's law enforcement response and preparing equipment, mobile command posts, backup communications systems and aviation assets for deployment.
Its resources include command buses and trailers, portable command buildings, utility vehicles and heavy equipment. Aviation teams are ready to assist with damage assessments after the storm.
Residents can find hurricane preparedness guidance at FloridaDisaster.org/Guide. Information on county emergency management resources and contacts is available at FloridaDisaster.org/Counties.
