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Gov. DeSantis expands state of emergency for Tropical Storm Ian

Gov. DeSantis expands state of emergency for Tropical Storm Ian

ORLANDO, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Saturday afternoon that expands the state of emergency to include all of Florida.

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DeSantis issued an executive order on Friday declaring a state of emergency for 24 counties in the potential path of Tropical Depression 9, now named Tropical Storm Ian.

Read: Tropical Storm Ian gains strength as it heads towards Central Florida, track moves slighty west

DeSantis also requested a federal pre-landfall emergency declaration in anticipation of impacts from the storm. His office said that declaration will make resources and support available as well as free up funding for emergency protective measures. Under the emergency order, members of the Florida National Guard will be activated and on standby awaiting orders.

Because Tropical Depression 9 strengthened into Tropical Storm Ian, he said the conditions have increased safety precautions for all communities and infrastructure in Florida.

Read: Eye on the tropics: Here’s where you can get sandbags in Central Florida

DeSantis said the Florida Division of Emergency Management has been working closely with the National Hurricane Center to monitor the tropics and said there is still a risk of storm surge and heavy flooding.

The state of emergency previously applied to: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and St. Lucie.

Read: NASA delays launch of Artemis I due to Tropical Storm Ian

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