Governor Ron DeSantis held a Thursday press conference at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, urging North Florida residents to prepare for flooding, strong winds, and possible tornadoes as a hurricane approaches the Panhandle. The storm is currently forecast as a Category 2, with possible strengthening, and could push 5 to 7 feet of surge along the coast. A state of emergency is now in effect for 25 counties, and evacuation orders cover low-lying areas, barrier islands, and zones A and B.
Officials stressed that this is not just a coastal event. Saturated ground from recent rainfall means interior communities face major flood impacts, and tornadoes may form well away from the storm’s center. “Please, please heed those evacuation orders,” DeSantis said, standing alongside Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Jared Perdue. The state has activated 5,000 National Guard members and staged fuel, generators, power crews, and search-and-rescue resources while coordinating with all 67 counties.
For those of us here on the Suncoast, this is a timely reminder that hurricane season runs through November. Whether you’re staying put or have loved ones in the Panhandle, the basics still matter: know your evacuation zone, keep a three-day supply of water and essentials, and stay weather-aware even far from the coast. Are you fully stocked for storm season yet, or is there one item you keep putting off?
