State of Emergency Declared as Hurricane Milton Approaches Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in Marion and 34 other Florida counties due to Hurricane Milton, which may bring dangerous winds and storm surges. Communities previously impacted by hurricanes are at high risk. Preparations by local authorities have commenced to ensure public safety before the storm makes landfall.

Governor Ron DeSantis has officially declared a state of emergency across Marion County and 34 additional counties in Florida in anticipation of Hurricane Milton. This storm is expected to potentially bring along Category 3 winds and significant storm surges to the Florida peninsula. Several communities, particularly those that are still recovering from the repercussions of Hurricane Helene last month and Hurricane Ian in 2022, are identified as being at heightened risk. The emergency declaration encompasses the following counties: 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. Forecasts indicate that Hurricane Milton is expected to rapidly gain strength over the next 36 hours, potentially reaching the west coast of Florida as a major Category 3 hurricane mid-week. This storm poses serious risks to life and property along Florida’s west coast, as detailed by the National Hurricane Center. In response, the Division of Emergency Management of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has begun preparations. They published a Facebook post at approximately 6:30 PM Saturday, urging residents of Marion County to commence their preparations for what has been categorized as Tropical Storm Milton at this point. The post noted that numerous deputies and civilian personnel had recently returned from assisting in northern Florida and are now gearing up for this impending storm.

As hurricane season progresses, Florida has already faced the impacts of previous storms, prompting significant preparedness efforts for any new threats. Governor Ron DeSantis’s state of emergency declaration highlights the state’s proactive measures to mitigate the effects of Hurricane Milton, particularly in areas that are still recovering from earlier hurricanes. Recognizing the vulnerability of these communities is essential in understanding the urgency behind this emergency declaration. Furthermore, the rapid intensification of Hurricane Milton and its projected landfall presents severe risks, necessitating immediate action at the local and state levels in terms of emergency management and public safety initiatives.

In summary, the state of emergency declared by Governor Ron DeSantis serves as a critical response to the anticipated impacts of Hurricane Milton across 35 counties in Florida. With forecasts predicting significant intensification and threatening conditions, local authorities are mobilizing resources to prepare communities, especially those still recovering from previous hurricanes. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and begin their preparation procedures to ensure safety as the storm approaches.

Original Source: www.ocala.com