Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency across multiple counties in the Florida panhandle following a series of severe thunderstorms on Friday morning. These storms, characterized by strong winds exceeding 70 miles per hour and multiple tornadoes, caused significant damage along the I-10 corridor, particularly in Tallahassee.
Areas Affected
The declaration includes Baker, Columbia, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, and Wakulla counties. This action comes as these areas experienced substantial disruptions, including downed trees and widespread power outages affecting over 60,000 residents.
Emergency Measures and Funding
In response to the extensive damage, the state will mobilize additional resources and financial support for recovery efforts. The executive order issued by Governor DeSantis directs the transfer and expenditure of necessary funds from the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund to assist the affected counties.
Duration and Further Information
The state of emergency is effective immediately and will remain in place for 60 days unless extended. Further details and updates can be found in the full memorandum released by the governor’s office.
Broader Impact
The weather system responsible for the damage in Florida has been active across the southeastern United States, spawning tornadoes earlier in the week in North Alabama and Southern Tennessee, and affecting states from Michigan to Texas with similar severe weather conditions.
Residents in the impacted areas are urged to stay informed and follow any directives issued by local emergency management officials as cleanup and recovery efforts continue.
