Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for several counties in the state this Saturday due to the arrival of Tropical Storm Milton, which could make landfall as a hurricane on the West Coast.
Executive Order (EO) 24-214, emergency management covers 35 Florida counties, “Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardy, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee River, Indian River, Manatee , Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter and Volusia.
Forecasters warned that Tropical Storm Milton could strengthen to hurricane strength as it heads toward Florida next week.
Tropical Storm Milton was about 220 miles north-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico this Saturday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said Saturday afternoon.
Although no coastal warnings or warnings were issued, the NHC said the Florida peninsula and the Keys, Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and the northeastern Bahamas should monitor the system's progress, according to the AP cable.
The storm is forecast to strengthen and have life-threatening impacts along much of Florida's west coast next week, and storm surge warnings could be issued Sunday.
Much of Florida will experience heavy rain beginning Sunday. Rainfall may overflow some rivers and pose a risk of flash flooding.
“Storm and wind impacts will be dangerous for many parts of the west coast of the Florida Panhandle beginning Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning.
Residents of these areas should have a hurricane plan, follow the guidance of local authorities and monitor updated weather forecasts,” the NHC said.
