[Video courtesy of our partners at Accuweather.com]
Today, Governor Rick Scott issued an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency in 31 counties within the State of Florida in response to Tropical Storm Emily.
Tropical storm warnings are currently in effect for Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee Counties. At this time, no evacuation orders have been issued.
The Florida National Guard is on standby.
Governor Scott said, “Earlier this morning, Tropical Depression Six was upgraded to Tropical Storm Emily and tropical storm warnings are currently in effect along Florida’s west coast. Upon learning of this tropical system from the National Hurricane Center, the State of Florida immediately engaged to prepare for any potential storm impacts. I have declared a state of emergency across 31 counties to ensure that every community has the resources they need, and that state, regional and local agencies can easily work together to keep people prepared during Tropical Storm Emily.”
“While this storm developed quickly overnight and will swiftly move across our state, storms can always develop rapidly and that is why is it so important to be prepared at the start of hurricane season. For helpful preparation resources, please visit FLGetAPlan.com. We will keep monitoring and issuing updates on Tropical Storm Emily as it moves across Florida today,” Scott said.
Tropical Storm Emily formed early Monday in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 45 miles west-southwest of Tampa, and made landfall hours later in southwest Florida.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Emily developed into a tropical storm at 8 a.m., just hours after forming as a tropical depression.
While Marion County is not included in the state of emergency, heavy rainfall and gusty winds are expected.
State of Emergency list:
