TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) continues to monitor and prepare for potential impacts from Tropical Depression Four. Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-157 on August 2, amending EO 24-156 and declaring a state of emergency for 61 counties. This allows state officials to make critical resources available to communities ahead of any potential areas that the storm may impact.
As of 2 PM EDT, Tropical Depression Four is located about 115 miles southwest of Key West. On the forecast track, the center of the depression will move across western Cuba this morning and then over the eastern Gulf of Mexico later today and Sunday, reaching the Florida Gulf coast late Sunday or Monday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts, and slow strengthening is expected today and tonight. The depression is expected to become a tropical storm tonight. A faster rate of strengthening is anticipated Sunday through Monday, potentially reaching hurricane strength when it approaches the Florida Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Watches have been issued for Coastal Taylor, Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Wakulla, Coastal Jefferson, and Levy counties. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Mainland Monroe; Coastal Collier; Coastal Lee; Coastal Charlotte; Sarasota; Manatee; Hillsborough; Pasco; Pinellas; Hernando; Citrus; and Sumter counties. Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for the Florida Keys including Dry Tortugas (Coastal Monroe); Inland Lee; Inland Charlotte; DeSoto; Hardee; Polk; Lake; Inland Dixie; Inland Taylor; Inland Jefferson; Inland Wakulla; Inland Franklin Liberty Gadsden Leon Madison Lafayette counties.
Storm Surge Warnings are in effect for: Coastal Hernando Citrus Levy Dixie Taylor Counties.
Storm Surge Watches are in effect for: Coastal Lee Charlotte counties including Charlotte Harbor Sarasota Manatee Hillsborough (including Tampa Bay) Pinellas Pasco counties.
A Coastal Flood Watch has been issued for the Florida Keys.
FDEM is hosting daily calls with all 67 counties to identify needs and ensure rapid response capabilities. Additionally, FDEM coordinates with state agencies non-governmental organizations private sector partners for any potential resource requests.
Floridians are encouraged to understand their area's flood risks and prepare accordingly. For more information residents can visit FloridaDisaster.org/Guide.
State Preparedness Efforts
FDEM has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1 leading coordination efforts for the State Emergency Response Team deploying community-requested resources personnel ensuring critical infrastructure protection:
-170 pallets water
-30 pallets shelf-stable meals
-Seven pallets tarps
-3,000 sandbags
-Staff supporting county shelter operations
FDEM mobilizes four logistical staging areas statewide ensuring food water tarps shower trailers pumps flood protection devices staff deploy as requested.
Following Governor DeSantis' authorization FLNG activates service members providing staffing support local armories logistics supply areas aviation support as needed mobilizing up to 3,000 Guardsmen postured supporting humanitarian assistance security missions well-equipped high-wheeled vehicles helicopters boats generators more.
The FSG activates:
70 members supporting response recovery operations;
Nine shallow water vessels staged deployment;
10 UTV's staged deployment;
Two amphibious rescue vehicles staged deployment;
Seven search rescue crews prepared deployed Camp Blanding
FWC readies high-water vehicles other storm response resources statewide rapidly deploying assisting Floridians damage flooding contingency plans developed flexible based storm's projected path fully integrated into State EOC local law enforcement representatives coordinating closely county city emergency operations centers officers ready deploy respond specialized equipment necessary such as airboats shallow draft boats ATVs Side by Sides larger platform vessels four-wheel vehicles these officers assets addition local FWC officers already assigned affected areas training capacity equipment experience effective following extreme weather events Special Operations Group teams serve reconnaissance units State EOC reporting back damage after storm landfall Aviation Section standby readied appropriate aircraft potential deployment aerial assistance reconnaissance post-storm damage assessments needed FDLE’s Emergency Preparedness Unit activated deployed State EOC Regional Law Enforcement Coordination Teams monitoring contact local partners prepared two mobile command buses three sleeper trailers ready use impacted areas necessary agents analysts ready respond law enforcement community needs DJJ offices facilities finalized preparations ensuring safety security staff youth actions include fueling vehicles moving low-lying flood-prone areas higher ground testing adequate fuel supplies generators event loss power ensuring food medicine emergency supplies stocked ready FDC prepares evacuation plans relocate inmates smaller satellite facilities larger parent facilities evaluating major institutions risk flash flooding Community Corrections precautionary measures safety well-being probation officers continuing monitor offenders supervision during upcoming weather event DMS ensures SLERS generators prepared respond wireless partners assets pre-staged post-landfall assistance Starlink units pre-staged immediate deployment should need arise activated thus far volunteer organizations Midwest Foodbank Feeding Florida Farm Share Meet Need begun coordination resources readying inventory meeting feeding needs American Red Cross mobilizing Tallahassee Jacksonville teams contacting committed counties sheltering plans Disaster Volunteer Leave Act salaried state employees request administrative leave volunteering disaster salaried employees request up hours leave volunteer nonprofit providing nonpaid services disaster response recovery declared area covered under emergency DOH stages ambulances ambulance buses paratransit vehicles supporting evacuations OIR sent information early prescription refills permitted under EO notice public health insurers managed care organizations pharmacy benefit managers chains providers Surgeon General signed EO waiving competitive procurement requirements procuring commodities goods services expeditiously response permits medical transportation services operate across county lines paramedics EMTs licensed other states territories districts practice without penalty AHCA activates Emergency Patient Look-up System initiated event Health Facility Reporting System reached out healthcare associations precautions facilities likely path evacuating needed FDOT coordinates closely EOC partners Districts Central Office Turnpike Enterprise initiated preparedness conference calls continuing daily clearing shoulders preparation ESU analyzing vulnerabilities roadways bridges inspecting clearing drainage systems monitoring flood-prone saturated areas pre-positioning pumps securing maintenance yards active construction projects high mast lighting rest areas welcome centers service plazas weigh stations barges Howard Frankland Bridge construction site secured replenishing fuel reserves checking generator readiness pre-positioning assets completing repairs malfunctioning vehicles equipment preparation deployment communication modal partners seaports airports railroads transit spaceports monitoring posture staging ITS trailers drone teams equipment prepped ready deploy encourages drivers download app visit closures detours follow direction law enforcement emergency personnel FLHSMV issues EO waives requirements commercial motor vehicles providing relief replacement fees driver’s license identification credentials vehicle registrations titles vessel temporary parking permits impacted individuals Highway Patrol communication law enforcement transportation partners stands assist potential impacts prepared implement shifts preparation Invest Department Children Families prepping taking inventory needs supplies prepared deploy Hope Bus connecting Floridians assistance Education contact school districts colleges latest information regarding closures early learning providers visit Agriculture Consumer Services coordinating ports fuel industry ensuring adequate supplies Forest Service activated incident management team supports staging equipment high-water vehicles recovery operations coordinating agricultural partners producers adequate resources support DEP following issuance Governor’s EO issued allowing activation debris management sites storing processing solid waste debris removes barriers expediting repair replacement restoration structures coastal surface water management works damaged working Water Wastewater Agency Response Network Rural Water Association response agencies preparations underway drinking wastewater facilities ahead anticipated heavy rains significant hazardous waste notified preparations completed surveys shoreline engaging governments drainage operators providing technical support deploying temporary pumps alleviating localized flooding standard operations monitors river levels develops published updates webpage keeping park visitors updated closures camping cabin reservations closed parks notified reservation status Attorney General’s Office activated price gouging hotline accepting reports extreme increases essential commodities hotline number Business Professional Regulation organized Response Teams offices ready deploy safe complete assessments inspections licensed establishments encourages contractors register Disaster Contractors Network proactive communicated restaurant lodging licensees providing preparation safety Commerce activated private sector hotline open inquiries emailed VISIT FLORIDA activated Accommodation Modules Expedia Priceline real-time availability lodging CareerSource hosted call Workforce Development Boards coordinating preparing assisting employees employers find career center Directory communicating encouraging reviewing plans preparing employees advance business closures consistently updated OFR proclamation financial institutions securities professionals regarding follow X Instagram Facebook visit Updates information relating ###