Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 41 Florida counties as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine threatens to bring severe weather, including storm surge, heavy rainfall, and damaging winds, to the Gulf Coast.

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 41 Florida counties on Monday in response to the development of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, which threatens to bring severe weather to the Gulf Coast.

The storm, located over the northwestern Caribbean Sea, is forecasted to strengthen into a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next 48 hours, potentially impacting much of Florida with storm surge, heavy rainfall, flooding, and damaging winds.

In issuing the order, DeSantis cited risks associated with the system’s development, including concerns about coastal erosion, widespread power outages, and damage to infrastructure such as roadways, hospitals, and schools. The counties under the emergency order include Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, Lee, Monroe, and many others stretching from North to West-Central Florida. Officials are particularly concerned about riverine flooding, as water levels remain elevated in several areas following Hurricane Debby.

“The incoming heavy rainfall, flooding, and gusty winds will cause widespread power outages due to fallen trees and power lines,” the executive order reads. “there is a significant threat of storm surge, coastal flooding and erosion, heavy rainfall and flash flooding, and damaging winds to the Florida Gulf Coast.”

DeSantis also granted Kevin Guthrie, the Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, as the State Coordinating Officer giving him the authority to implement emergency plans, coordinate with federal and state agencies, and manage logistics. The order also activates the Florida National Guard and authorizes state agencies to waive certain regulatory requirements that could hinder emergency response efforts, such as rules related to procurement and contracting.

The Executive Order also permits state and local agencies to close public facilities, including schools and government buildings, if necessary.

Florida State University stated on Monday that it is “actively monitoring the development and forecast track of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine.”

The storm, expected to make landfall over Florida on Thursday, is forecasted to drop 4 to 8 inches of rain across much of the region, with localized amounts of up to 12 inches near the landfall zone. AccuWeather’s StormMax estimate predicts some areas could see as much as 24 inches of rain. In addition to heavy rainfall, wind gusts of up to 120 miles per hour are expected in the hardest-hit areas, with isolated gusts potentially reaching 140 miles per hour.

The storm could become the first major hurricane—Category 3 or higher—to make landfall in the U.S. this year, and experts warn that it could hit areas still recovering from Hurricane Idalia, which battered Florida’s Big Bend region in August 2023. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody took to X on Monday morning, urging Floridians to adequately prepare for the storm.

“A tropical disturbance is expected to strengthen in the Gulf and impact Florida near the end of this week,” she said. “Floridians on the Gulf Coast should make preparations now.”