Much of Florida under state of emergency as possible tropical storm forms in Gulf of Mexico
Aug 26, 2023, 6:00 PM
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference, May 9, 2023, in Miami. On Saturday, Aug. 26, DeSantis declared a state of emergency for most of Florida's Gulf coast as forecasters say a weather system off the coast of Mexico could soon become a tropical storm and start moving toward the area. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Forecasters are warning of possible flash flooding and landslides across the eastern Yucatan peninsula and western Cuba. The weather system is strengthening as it moves northward across the Gulf of Mexico, according to officials. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency Saturday for most of the state’s Gulf coast.
The National Hurricane Center warned Saturday that the system could produce dangerous storm surge, heavy rain and strong winds to Florida’s Gulf coast and Panhandle by midweek.
DeSantis’ declaration covers the Gulf coast from the southwestern city of Fort Myers north through Panama City in the Panhandle. Thirty-three of the state’s 67 counties are covered in the declaration.
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The hurricane center says there’s a 70% chance the system will become a tropical storm by Monday and a 90% chance overall. Officials say they may name it “Idalia.” Forecast models do not show the storm’s center approaching the areas of southwest Florida where deadly Hurricane Ian struck last year.
Gulf of Mexico storm puts Florida under state of emergency
DeSantis said in a statement that he issued his executive order “out of an abundance of caution to ensure that the Florida Division of Emergency Management can begin staging resources and Floridians have plenty of time to prepare their families for a storm next week.”
“I encourage Floridians to have a plan in place and ensure that their hurricane supply kit is stocked,” he said.
Forecast models have the storm curving to the northeast toward Florida, coming ashore along the Gulf coast north of Tampa near the Big Bend area and then heading diagonally across the state to emerge again in the Atlantic Ocean near southeast Georgia.
So far this year, cyclones spared the U.S. East Coast. But out west, Tropical Storm Hilary caused widespread flooding, mudslides and road closures earlier this month in Mexico, California, Nevada and points to the north.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently said the 2023 hurricane season would be far busier than initially forecast, partly because of extremely warm ocean temperatures. The season runs through Nov. 30, with August and September typically the peak.
