Today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-209, amending a previous order to expand the state of emergency in Florida to 61 counties ahead of Hurricane Helene.
The initial executive order, EO 24-208, was declared on September 23, 2024, for forty-one counties due to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine. As of September 24, the cyclone was located 120 miles west-southwest of Grand Cayman and moving northwest at 8 mph. The system is expected to develop into a tropical storm over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and become a hurricane over the eastern Gulf of Mexico by Wednesday.
Forecast models indicate rapid intensification into a major hurricane before approaching the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday. This system poses significant threats including life-threatening storm surge and damaging wind gusts along the Florida Gulf Coast. Due to its size, impacts will extend far from its center with strong winds penetrating inland after landfall.
Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for eighteen Florida counties, with Hurricane Watches and Storm Surge Watches also in place across various regions. Recent heavy rainfall from Hurricane Debby has left water tables and riverine levels above normal in much of north and west-central Florida, increasing the risk of flooding.
Governor DeSantis emphasized the need for continued support from the state: "Recovery efforts and those affected by this disaster require the continued support of the State of Florida."
Executive Order 24-209 takes immediate effect and amends Section I of EO 24-208 to include additional counties under the state of emergency. The amended list now includes Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee,
Hendry,
Hernando,
Highlands,
Hillsborough,
Holmes,
Jackson,
Jefferson,
Lafayette,
Lake,
Lee,
Leon,
Levy,
Liberty,
Madison,
Manatee,
Marion,
Monroe,
Nassau,
Okaloosa,
Okeechobee,
Orange,
Osceola,
Pasco,
Pinellas,
Polk,
Putnam,
Santa Rosa,
Sarasota,
Seminole,
St. Johns,
Sumter,
Suwannee,
Taylor,
Union,
Volusia,
Wakulla,
Walton
and Washington counties.
Except as amended herein EO 24-208 is ratified and reaffirmed. This new executive order will expire upon the expiration of EO 24-208.
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