TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida emergency officials are staging generators, fuel, drinking water and flood-control equipment across North Florida as Tropical Storm Isaias strengthens in the Gulf and could become the Atlantic season’s first hurricane.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Tuesday declaring a state of emergency for 25 counties in the Panhandle and Big Bend before the system was named. The order allows the state to mobilize personnel and resources ahead of possible impacts.

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The state said the Florida State Emergency Response Team is positioning generators, fuel, flood barriers, boxed water, shelf-stable meals, flood buckets, tarps, Tiger Dams and sandbags in Tallahassee and the Santa Rosa area for rapid deployment.

The emergency declaration covers 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 counties.

See also: Tropical Storm Isaias forms in the southwestern Gulf, forecast to become a hurricane

Tropical Storm Isaias formed Wednesday morning over the Gulf, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. Forecasters said the storm was expected to strengthen and could make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late this week, with heavy rain, damaging winds, coastal flooding and isolated tornadoes possible across North Florida.

The state’s emergency order noted that parts of North Florida were already dealing with saturated ground and elevated water levels after recent heavy rain, increasing the threat of flash, river and urban flooding.

In Escambia County, emergency management staff are monitoring the system around the clock. Officials have opened several public sand locations, while county crews inspect stormwater ponds, lower water levels where needed and watch problem creeks and rivers.

Pensacola city crews also began re-inspecting storm drains, clearing debris, lowering pond levels, securing construction sites and removing roadside debris, according to a joint city-county update.

Dangerous rip currents are already a concern along Panhandle beaches. The National Weather Service issued high-rip-current warnings or statements for beaches from Escambia County east through Franklin County, with some in effect through the weekend.

See also: Hurricane supplies checklist: What to have before a storm

DeSantis urged Floridians in the potential impact area to review their disaster plans, stock hurricane supplies and follow updates from state and local emergency managers.

Residents should monitor the latest forecast, know their evacuation zone and avoid driving through flooded roads.