DeSantis declares emergency in 25 counties ahead of Isaias

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(The Center Square) – Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before it makes landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or this weekend after the governor issued a state of emergency for 25 counties.

Tropical Depression Nine, now named Isaias, organized Wednesday morning and is expected to move fast in its approach to the Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is warning of increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge, damaging hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall.

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon and said the Florida State Emergency Response Team is taking precautions.

“This order will allow the Florida Division of Emergency Management to stage critical preparedness resources and ensure Florida is ready to respond,” DeSantis said. “Floridians should take this time to get disaster plans in place and ensure their hurricane supply kit is stocked.”

In the wake of the governor’s state of emergency declaration, Attorney General James Uthmeier said any suspected “unconscionable” increases in the price of essential commodities should be reported to his office as suspected price gouging.

State Emergency Response Team personnel are staging resources in Tallahassee and Santa Rosa with generators, fuel, flood barriers, boxed water pallets, shelf-stable meals, flood buckets, tarps, tiger dams and sandbags.

“Under the leadership of FDEM Executive Director Jared Perdue, the State of Florida is prepared and ready to respond. Our partners are working around the clock to support communities and ensure resources are positioned where they are needed most. Florida is ready. Stay prepared, stay informed,” the Florida Division of Emergency Management said Wednesday.

The state of emergency covers Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla and Washington counties.

A hurricane watch is in effect stretching from Indian Pass, Florida, to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Peak storm surge could be as high as 5 to 7 feet from Indian Pass through Alabama to Mississippi. To the east, peak storm surge is anticipated to reach 3 to 5 feet from Indian Pass to Aucilla River and 2 to 4 feet from Aucilla River to Yankeetown, according to NOAA.

The division said Floridians should know whether their homes can withstand severe weather, ensure a fully stocked disaster supply kit, keep their vehicles’ fuel tanks at least half full or their batteries charged and go ahead and secure loose outdoor items around their homes.