As a threatening low-pressure storm system batters much of Florida on Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency for 49 counties, including the Tampa Bay and Miami regions.
Early Tuesday morning, the storm was traveling out of the Florida Panhandle and into north and central Florida, as well as the west coast.
“I urge all Floridians to heed warnings from local officials as this storm continues across the state,” DeSantis said on X, formerly twitter.
The state of emergency was issued for the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler; Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa; Seminole; Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton and Washington.
The storm system is expected to bring isolated tornadoes, heavy downpours, flooding, hail and strong wind gusts to the Sunshine State.
DeSantis’ order is in addition to the activation of the Florida State Guard for storm response.
The state of emergency allows for other states to send resources to Florida, enter into agreements with federal agencies for emergency needs and satisfy other recovery efforts.
At least four tornadoes hit Walton County in the Panhandle Tuesday morning with another coming ashore in Panama City Beach, WMBB reported. Serious storm damage was also reported across Bay County.
As the storm moves across the state, a tornado watch is in effect for parts of north Florida through 2 p.m., the National Weather Service said.
A wind advisory is in effect in the Tampa Bay area until 7 p.m., NWS forecasters posted to X. The region could see sustained winds of 25 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 40 and 50 mph at times.