SOUTHWEST FLORIDA -- 31 Florida counties, including Charlotte, Lee, and Collier, have been placed under a state of emergency by Governor Rick Scott due to Tropical Storm Emily.
A state of emergency gives the state the flexibility to work with local governments to ensure they have all the resources they may need.
Tropical storm warnings are currently in effect for Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee Counties. At this time, there are no evacuation orders in effect.
The Florida National Guard stands ready to assist with any storm related impacts.
“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," says Governor Scott. "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."
For helpful preparation resources, visit FLGetAPlan.com.
Counties included in the declaration include:
- Brevard
- Broward
- Charlotte
- Citrus
- Collier
- DeSoto
- Glades
- Hardee
- Hendry
- Hernando
- Highlands
- Indian River
- Lake
- Lee
- Manatee
- Martin
- Miami-Dade
- Monroe
- Okeechobee
- Orange
- Osceola
- Palm Beach
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Sarasota
- Seminole
- St. Lucie
- Sumter
- Volusia
