Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in Marion County and 34 additional counties in Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton, which may intensify to a Category 3 hurricane. Residents are urged to prepare as areas previously affected by Hurricanes Helene and Ian remain at risk for severe weather.
Governor Ron DeSantis has officially proclaimed a state of emergency in Marion County and 34 additional counties across Florida in preparation for Hurricane Milton, which is projected to bring potentially devastating Category 3 winds and storm surge to the state’s peninsula. The affected regions, particularly those already impacted by the recent Hurricane Helene and the remnants of Hurricane Ian from 2022, are deemed at significant risk. The counties included in this emergency declaration encompass: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia. Hurricane Milton is anticipated to rapidly develop within the next 36 hours, possibly reaching the major hurricane status of Category 3 by mid-week as it approaches the western coastline of Florida. The National Hurricane Center has indicated that this could result in life-threatening conditions for various locales along the state’s western shore. In readiness for the impending storm, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management urged residents to commence preparations as Milton evolves from a tropical storm. A statement shared via Facebook highlighted, “The Marion County Emergency Management division at the MCSO has been meeting already this weekend and making preparations ahead of the storm.” Further, it noted that many deputies and civilian staff had just returned from contributing to disaster relief efforts in North Florida and are actively gearing up for the challenges posed by this upcoming storm.
The announcement of a state of emergency by Governor DeSantis comes in the wake of increasing storm activity in Florida, a state that frequently faces significant weather threats from hurricanes. With communities still struggling to recover from previous storms, the declaration serves to mobilize resources and prepare for potential emergencies as Hurricane Milton approaches. The National Hurricane Center’s warning regarding Milton highlights the critical need for residents in the state to take preventive measures, especially those in areas already vulnerable due to past natural disasters.
In summary, Governor Ron DeSantis has enacted a state of emergency across Marion County and 34 other counties in response to Hurricane Milton, which poses serious threats of high winds and flooding. The urgent preparations by local authorities reflect the state’s proactive stance to safeguard its residents ahead of the storm, as communities continue to recover from earlier hurricanes. Timely action and public awareness are vital to mitigate risks associated with Milton’s anticipated impact.
Original Source: www.ocala.com
