Governor declares state of emergency, spends day visiting Emergency Operations Centers in path of Dorian

by | Aug 29, 2019


With Hurricane Dorian now projected to become a Category 4 Hurricane when it makes landfall and with Central Florida squarely in the storm’s path, Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for Florida that now includes 26 of Florida’s 67 counties. He’s taking no chances that it might miss. The governor’s day began with a 15-minute briefing at 7:45am with Chief of Staff Shane Strum, immediately followed by a briefing from Florida’s Director of Emergency Management Jared Moskowitz and State Meteorologist Amy Godsey.

Dorian’s projected path (click to enlarge)

The news there wasn’t good. The storm’s path shifted slightly southward, but is still projected to remain out to sea long enough for it to gather strength before slamming into Florida’s east coast somewhere between Melbourne and Palm Beach.

“Today, I am declaring a state of emergency to ensure Florida is fully prepared for Hurricane Dorian,” said DeSantis. “It’s important for Floridians on the East Coast to monitor this storm closely. Every Florida resident should have seven days of supplies, including food, water and medicine, and should have a plan in case of disaster. I will continue to monitor Hurricane Dorian closely with emergency management officials. The state stands ready to support all counties along the coast as they prepare.”

Declaring a state of emergency ensures that state and local governments have ample time, resources and flexibility to prepare. The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated, enhancing the coordination between federal, state and local emergency management agencies.

After his briefing with state emergency experts, DeSantis had a conference call with Federal Emergency Management Director Pete Gaynor before he was scheduled to visit the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida for the latest updates.

After that, he is slated to get a hurricane readiness update from Florida National Guard Adjutant General James Eifert before paying a visit to the Brevard County Emergency Operations Center and then ending the day at the Duval County Emergency Operations Center.

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez is also slated to visit the Clay County Emergency Operations Center before joining DeSantis in Jacksonville.

According to the emergency declaration issued by DeSantis, the following counties are included:

Baker
Bradford
Brevard
Broward
Clay
Duval
Flagler
Glades
Hendry
Highlands
Indian River
Lake
Martin
Miami-Dade
Monroe
Nassau
Okeechobee
Orange
Osceola
Palm Beach
Putnam
Seminole
St. Johns
St. Lucie
Volusia
Union

 

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