DeSantis issues state of emergency for 33 counties ahead of storm moving toward Florida -

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency Saturday for 33 counties ahead of a potential tropical storm headed for Florida.

Earlier on Saturday, the National Hurricane Center reported a broad area of low pressure, which originated off the west coast of Central America, was projected to gradually develop into an organized storm as it moves northward over the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Forecasters predict Invest 93L will intensify into a tropical depression over the weekend and continue to strengthen as it moves northward into the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and could affect portions of Florida’s Gulf Coast, as well as previously impacted areas still recovering from Hurricane lan and Hurricane Nicole, as early as Tuesday.

The 8 a.m. weather advisory from the National Hurricane Center in Miami had said there was a risk of dangerous storm surge, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, strong winds, hazardous seas, and the potential for isolated tornadic activity for the Florida Big Bend and portions of Florida’s Gulf Coast. The threat posed by Invest 93L requires that timely precautions are taken to protect communities from the potential threat. This includes relocating individuals, equipment and supplies in areas still recovering from Hurricane lan and Hurricane Nicole.

Which Florida counties could be affected by the potential storm?

The order from DeSantis mentions 33 counties − Florida has 67 counties. “Because of the foregoing conditions, which are projected to constitute a major disaster, I declare that a state of emergency exists,” DeSantis said in his order. These are the counties under a state of emergency: