Fla. Issues State of Emergency, Evacuations Ahead of Storm

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(TNS) — Several Florida counties are already under mandatory evacuation orders and most of the state is under a state of emergency as a storm brewing in the Caribbean Sea is expected to develop into Tropical Storm Helene by Tuesday afternoon — with the “likely possibility” of becoming a major hurricane (possibly a Category 3 or higher) over the northeastern Gulf Coast by Thursday.

Hurricane watches and storm surge warnings have been issued along most of Florida’s western coastline. And while forecasters emphasize the track could change — computer models currently suggest the most likely location for landfall is in Florida’s Big Bend region, which includes Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie and Levy counties.

Mandatory evacuations in effect

Franklin County: Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for all barrier islands in Franklin County, including St. George Island, Dog Island, Bald Point and Alligator Point, as well as for low lying and flood prone areas — especially along the coast and rivers, as well as for those living in mobile homes and RV parks.

Gulf County: All nonresidents and all recreational vehicles in Indian Pass, Cape San Blas and Simmons Bayou are ordered to evacuate by 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Charlotte County: Evacuations have been ordered for barrier islands, low lying and flood prone areas, manufactured homes and homes that don’t meet 1995 building codes.

State of emergency issued

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency for 61 or the state’s 67 counties, including 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.

During a news conference Tuesday morning, DeSantis said there’s still a lot of uncertainty, but Florida is “going to see significant impacts no matter what happens.”

“You still have time to prepare, review your hurricane plan and make sure that you are executing your hurricane preparedness plan — you have gas tanks filled, water, nonperishable food that will last you, particularly when you have power outages,” DeSantis said. “Clear up any loose objects in your yard that could become a flying object in strong winds. Know your evacuation zone. We always say that you hide from the wind, but you run from the water.”