Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Tuesday declaring a state of emergency for 25 Florida counties as Tropical Depression Nine tracks toward the Gulf Coast. Forecasters expect the system to strengthen later this week, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall, strong winds, coastal flooding and isolated tornadoes across North Florida. The order puts the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the State Emergency Response Team on active footing so resources can move before the storm arrives.
That prep work is already visible. Generators, fuel, flood barriers, boxed water, shelf-stable meals, tarps, Tiger Dams and sandbags are being staged in the Tallahassee and Santa Rosa areas for rapid deployment. One detail worth noting: parts of North Florida have already absorbed significant rainfall, so the ground there is saturated. Additional rain on already-full ground can turn a moderate storm into a flooding problem quickly, even if the system never reaches hurricane strength.
For those of us here on the Suncoast, this particular threat is aimed north, but the reminder applies to everyone. The governor’s message was straightforward: use this time to get your disaster plan in place and make sure your hurricane supply kit is fully stocked. It’s October, we live on the Gulf, and the season isn’t over yet. If you have family or friends in the affected counties, this is a good week to check in with them. Are you confident your hurricane kit is actually complete this year?
