Following severe weather that impacted North Florida on May 10, 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order (EO) 24-94. Today, Governor DeSantis expanded the state of emergency to include additional counties through Executive Order 24-95. The order now encompasses a total of 15 counties: Baker, Columbia, Escambia, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla.
The executive order states: "On May 10, 2024, I issued Executive Order 24-94 declaring a state of emergency for several counties across North Florida due to the dangers presented by an intense thunderstorm that caused numerous tornadoes and strong wind gusts across North Florida."
It continues: "Thousands of Floridians in North Florida have lost power and are further impacted due to the widespread debris caused by the tornadoes, strong winds and heavy rain."
Governor DeSantis emphasized his responsibility to address the dangers posed by this emergency: "As the Governor of Florida," he stated. "I am responsible to meet the dangers presented to the State of Florida and its people by this emergency."
The amended sections of EO 24-94 declare a state of emergency in the specified counties and reaffirm all other aspects of the original order. The new executive order takes immediate effect and will expire upon the expiration of EO 24-94.