UPDATE 09.25.2024 - NOW A HURRICANE - Florida: State of Emergency for 61 counties due to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, Sept. 24, 2024

UPDATE 11:00 AM, 09/25/2024: NOW HURRICANE HELENE

Executive Order 24-209 by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
61 Florida Counties Under State of Emergency
due to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine
10:32 am, September 24, 2024

On September 24, 2024. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a second Executive Order 24-209, amending Executive Order 24-208 issued on September 23, that increased the number of counties in Florida under a state of emergency - due to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine - from 41 to 61 of Florida's 67 counties. The counties under a state of emergency now include:
Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.

On September 24, 2024, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine was located 120 miles west-southwest of Grand Cayman, or 395 miles south-southwest of Key West, Florida, and was moving northwest at 8 mph.

At that time, atmospheric and oceanic conditions were highly conducive for Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine to develop into a tropical storm on Tuesday afternoon, September 24, 2024, over the northwestern Caribbean Sea, and become a hurricane over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

Computer forecast models indicate a likely possibility of significant and rapid intensification of this system to form a major hurricane before it approaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

The forecast indicates that this system will become large and powerful before landfall, and there is a significant threat of life-threatening storm surge and damaging wind gusts for the Florida Gulf Coast. Due to the system's size, the accompanying storm surge, wind, and rainfall impacts will extend well away from its center, and the faster forward approach of this system will likely result in farther inland penetration of strong winds even after landfall.

There are Tropical Storm Watches in effect for eighteen Florida counties, Hurricane Watches in effect for eighteen Florida counties, and Storm Surge Watches extending from the Southwest Florida Coast to the central Florida Panhandle.

The water tables and river inelevels across much of north and west-central Florida remain in above normal stage due to recent Hurricane Debby, and additional heavy rainfall could cause significant riverine flooding that may prolong impacts for an extended period of time. These impacts could damage the operational capability of critical infrastructure including major interstates, roadways, bridges, airports, schools, hospitals, and power grids; and

Florida Department of Health
Early Prescription Refills Permitted Under State of Emergency
September 24, 2024

The Florida Department of Health is working with emergency managers statewide to prepare for any impacts to communities and reminds Floridians to have enough of their prescriptions on hand in the event pharmacies are temporarily unavailable. Under a state of emergency, Floridians are permitted to receive early prescription refills. An early refill may include controlled substances as long as the medical drug is not listed in Schedule II appearing in Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, of the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act. All health insurers, managed care organizations, and other health entities must comply with provisions of section 252.358, Florida Statutes, which allows for early prescription refills in the event the governor issues an executive order declaring a state of emergency or the emergency operations center has been activated. Contact your pharmacy if you have questions.

Florida Department of Health
Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine: Special Needs Shelters
September 24, 2024

Tallahassee, Fla. — In response to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, the Florida Department of Health has prepared for special needs shelter operations to begin in areas of anticipated landfall.

In an emergency, such as an evacuation for a hurricane, you may need to go to a special needs shelter. If you know or care for an individual with a disability or a special need, such as a medical condition that requires assistance but not hospitalization, it is important that you pre-register with the Florida Special Needs Shelter Registry at
https://snr.flhealthresponse.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. You will need to log in with an existing account or create a new account.

Registering through the Florida Special Needs Registry allows local emergency management officials to provide important information and quickly assist you during an emergency. For more information, contact your county’s emergency management office or visit the Florida Special Needs Registry.

If you are eligible for a special needs shelter, your kit should include:
• List of medications and dosage.
• A 30-day supply of medications.
• Vital medical equipment for those who may be electrically or oxygen dependent.
• Backup energy sources for essential medical equipment.
• Any special dietary needs or food.
• Personal information including:
           • Photo ID.
           • Insurance card.
           • List of emergency contacts.
           • Your primary care provider’s contact information.
After completing the Florida Special Needs Registry, additional information will be provided to you by your local emergency management agency regarding evacuation and sheltering options available.

For more information on your local shelter status, please visit FloridaDisaster.org.