West News Wire: A new tropical cyclone that is growing off the coast of Mexico prompted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to issue a state of emergency for 33 counties along the Gulf Coast on Saturday.
DeSantis claimed in a statement that he “signed an Executive Order issuing a state of emergency out of an abundance of caution,” leaving over half of the state under a state of emergency.
According to the National Hurricane Centre, the system became Tropical Depression Ten late Saturday afternoon off the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
Over the next 48 hours, Tropical Depression Ten is expected to steadily gain power, and by Sunday, it is likely to become Tropical Storm Idalia. The storm is expected to approach Florida’s Gulf Coast later on Tuesday, according to the prediction.
To ensure that the Florida Division of Emergency Management can start staging resources and Floridians have the time to get their families ready for a storm next week, DeSantis added in his statement.
DeSantis stated, “I urge Floridians to make preparations and make sure their hurricane supply pack is stocked.
According to the presidential order, a tropical storm or hurricane is expected to make landfall in Florida’s Gulf Coast early to midweek, with the possibility of significant rainfall, powerful gusts, and sporadic tornadic activity.
According to his campaign website, DeSantis, who is running for president, will be attending an event in Kershaw, South Carolina, on Monday.
Hurricane Ian, which slammed into Florida’s southwest coast as a strong Category 4 storm before sluggishly moving across the peninsula and wreaking havoc, shook the state less than a year ago.
Ian first made ashore with winds of 150 mph then 90 minutes later, still a Category 4 storm with 145 mph winds, it made a second landfall just south of Punta Gorda, close to Pirate Harbour.
Locals said that homes and cars were floating in the flood of water, and storm surge records were set in Fort Myers and Naples, respectively, at 7.25 feet and 6.28 feet.
Rainfall in Orlando broke its 24-hour rainfall record with 12.49 inches. By Friday, New Smyrna Beach was swamped with 28.60 inches of rain in just 27 hours.
According to Florida’s medical examiners commision, Hurricane Ian was responsible for 144 deaths throughout the state.
With extreme weather happening all over the country, roughly 250,000 customers remain without power in the Midwest after deadly thunderstorms ripped through Michigan and over 90 million Americans are under heat alerts on Saturday.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana hit triple digits for the 30th day this year which breaks the record for the most 100-degree or greater days in a single year.
