TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Tuesday night declaring a state of emergency for 25 counties to ensure the state is prepared for potential impacts from Tropical Storm Isaias.
If the current forecast holds, Isaias could strengthen into a hurricane.
As of Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center forecast points to landfall between Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle late Friday or early Saturday.
The Panhandle and Big Bend counties included in the state of emergency are: Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla and Washington.
DeSantis also urged Floridians to have a disaster plan in place and ensure that their hurricane supply kit is stocked.
Declaring a state of emergency gives state and local leaders the authority to coordinate emergency agencies, relax restrictions and provide the funding and resources necessary to help as needed in affected areas.