TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida is facing the threat of yet another tropical system as Milton takes aim at the state, prompting Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday to issue a state of emergency for 35 counties.
The state of emergency is in effect for all of the counties in the WPTV viewing area: Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee.
All of South Florida and the Treasure Coast is under a flood watch until Thursday at 8 a.m. Areas could see 6-10 inches of rain this week.
Milton quickly grew to tropical storm strength on Saturday and is forecast to become a major hurricane as it takes aim at Florida's west coast.
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide
As Tropical Storm Milton continues to strengthen in the Gulf, I have issued EO 24-214 ahead of potential landfall on Florida’s west coast this week. This EO declares a state of emergency in 35 Florida counties.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 5, 2024
As many continue to recover from Hurricane Helene, I have directed…
Below are the 35 Florida counties under a state of emergency:
- Palm Beach
- Martin
- St. Lucie
- Indian River
- Okeechobee
- Broward
- Miami-Dade
- Brevard
- Broward
- Charlotte
- Citrus
- Collier
- DeSoto
- Flagler
- Glades
- Hardee
- Hendry
- Hernando
- Highlands
- Hillsborough
- Lake
- Lee
- Manatee
- Marion
- Monroe
- Orange
- Osceola
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Putnam
- Sarasota
- Seminole
- St. Johns
- Sumter
- Volusia
"There is an increasing risk of life-threatening storm surge and wind impacts for portions of the western Florida Peninsula beginning as soon as later Tuesday and Wednesday," the executive order said.
The approach of Milton comes a little over a week after the state's Big Bend region was slammed by Category 4 Hurricane Helene.
Read the full executive order below:
