- Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for the counties in the path of Hurricane Dorian.

DeSantis said that all Floridians on the East Coast should prepare for impact, as the National Hurricane Center (NHC) projects that Dorian could reach Category 3 hurricane status before making landfall in Florida. It is expected to be a Category 2 by the time it passes over Orlando.

“Today, I am declaring a state of emergency to ensure Florida is fully prepared for Hurricane Dorian,” said Governor 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.”

By declaring a state of emergency, DeSantis ensures that state and local governments have ample time, resources, and flexibility to prepare. DeSantis said that the State Emergency Operations Center will activate to a Level 2 on Thursday morning, enhancing the coordination between federal, state and local emergency management agencies.

RELATED: Central Florida residents stock up on supplies ahead of Hurricane Dorian

“Because of the uncertainty in the track of this storm, every resident along the East Coast needs to be ready,” said Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz. “By having an Executive Order in place and by activating the State Emergency Operations Center to a Level 2, we are fully prepared to support any community that might be impacted.”

Fox 35 meteorologist Glenn Richards said if Dorian hits Florida as a Category 3 hurricane, it could be the "largest and most powerful hurricane to hit Central Florida in over 30 years."

For the latest on Dorian, visit ORLANDOHURRICANE.com.

You can also monitor the tropics with the Fox 35 Weather App. </s> Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency on Saturday ahead of Subtropical Storm Alberto's predicted path near Florida.

A press release from the governor's office said the state of emergency affects the entire state of Florida.

Scott said he declared the state of emergency to help Floridians best prepare for the coming days.

"Remember, the track of these storms can change without notice. Do not think that only areas in the cone will be impacted -- everyone in our state must be prepared," Scott said.

Central Florida is expected to start experiencing heavy rain from the storm on Sunday morning. News 6 meteorologist Troy Bridges also predicted heavy gusts of wind with the possibility of tornadoes.

A flood watch is in place Saturday afternoon through Monday. </s> Florida has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of Tropical Storm Michael which is due to hit the US coast next week. The cyclone has already affected some of the campaign trails of the 2018 midterm election hopefuls.

On Sunday, Republican Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in 26 counties in the Florida Panhandle and in Big Bend, ahead of Tropical Storm Michael, which is now making its way through the Gulf of Mexico. Fearing that the natural calamity could become a Category 2 hurricane with winds up to 100 mph by the time it makes landfall next Wednesday, Scott has mobilized some 500 National Guard troops to assist with planning and logistics. An additional 5,500 guard members could be available for deployment if needed.

“Our state understands how serious tropical weather is and how devastating any hurricane or tropical storm can be,” Scott said. “As we continue to monitor this storm’s northward path toward Florida, it is critically important that our communities have every available resource to keep everyone safe and prepared.”

As of Sunday evening, Storm Michael, packing winds of 60 mph, was moving north at 5 mph just east of Cozumel, a Mexican island in the Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center reported. Wind speeds are expected to gain momentum over the next two days with the cyclone expected to "become a hurricane Monday night or Tuesday,” the center noted in its advisory.

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The Democratic nominee for governor, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, was forced to cancel his planned campaign stops in South Florida on Monday and Tuesday, deciding to stay in the city instead to help with storm preparations. GOP nominee Ron DeSantis, who hopes to replace term-limited Gov. Scott, has yet to follow suit but did announce that he will be "redirecting" Panhandle campaign staff to help "prepare their communities ahead of the storm."

Gov. Scott, who will be running for a Senate seat, also suspended his campaign activity for the "next few days," his spokesperson told CNN. His Democratic rival, Sen. Bill Nelson has not yet announced any alteration to his campaign plans.

Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! </s> Florida's Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties ahead of Subtropical Storm Alberto.

A briefing was held this morning at the state emergency operations centre in Tallahassee.

Authorities urged residents to take the storm seriously.

The Governor said the move was intended to "keep families safe and prepare for the torrential rain and severe flooding this storm will bring".

Escambia County declared a local state of emergency yesterday "in an abundance of caution". </s> Puerto Rico was bracing on Wednesday for the arrival of Tropical Storm Dorian, closing schools and diverting cruise liners, as it threatened to reach hurricane strength on its approach to the US territory.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday night declared a state of emergency for the island, which is still struggling to recover from devastating back-to-back hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

Those hurricanes killed about 3,000 people just months after the territory filed for bankruptcy to restructure $120 billion of debt and pension obligations.

Having been criticised over the response to the 2017 storms, the White House said in a statement that Mr Trump had approved the emergency declaration, allowing for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance in coordination with ongoing disaster preparedness efforts.

"We are better prepared than when Hurricane Maria attacked our island," Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vazquez said during a televised news conference.

Ms Vazquez, who took office this month after political turmoil led to the resignation of his predecessor, said preparations for the storm were more than 90% complete, culminating with the opening of emergency shelters.

Infrastructure ranging from electric power lines to telecommunications and banking networks were in better shape than they had been in 2017, she added. </s> FLORIDA — Tropical Storm Dorian is expected to strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall in Florida on Labor Day.

The storm is forecast to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane by Friday morning as it tracks to the east of Turks and Caicos and will continue to strengthen to a Category 2 storm by Sunday morning before it makes landfall along the east coast of Florida or Georgia Monday morning, CNN meteorologist Haley Brink said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that he received a briefing from the Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Moskowitz and that it is time to start preparing for Dorian.

“Based on the current track of Tropical Storm Dorian, all residents on the East Coast should prepare for impacts, including strong winds, heavy rain and flooding,” DeSantis said. “Make sure to have your supplies ready and follow @FLSERT [Florida Division of Emergency Management] and local media for the latest updates on the forecast.”

A well-known forecast model is predicting Tropical Storm Dorian will pack hurricane-force winds when it reaches the Florida Peninsula.

Recent runs of the European model, operated by the European Center for Medium Range Forecasting, have been trending a stronger storm over the past 48 hours.

The model has constantly brought the center of the storm to the eastern coast of Florida, somewhere between Jacksonville and West Palm Beach.

Right now, Dorian is approaching several Caribbean islands.

The tropical storm is expected to be near a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on Wednesday and Thursday, CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said.

But it could impact more than just the Caribbean: By the end of the week, what’s left of Dorian is expected to move toward the Bahamas and southeastern parts of the mainland US.

A word of warning, though: “It is still way too early to forecast impacts,” Hennen said about Florida. </s> Tropical Storm Dorian is expected to strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall in Florida on Labor Day.

The storm is forecast to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane by Friday morning as it tracks to the east of Turks and Caicos and will continue to strengthen to a Category 2 storm by Sunday morning before it makes landfall along the east coast of Florida or Georgia Monday morning, CNN meteorologist Haley Brink said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that he received a briefing from the Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Moskowitz and that it is time to start preparing for Dorian.

“Based on the current track of Tropical Storm Dorian, all residents on the East Coast should prepare for impacts, including strong winds, heavy rain and flooding,” DeSantis said. “Make sure to have your supplies ready and follow @FLSERT [Florida Division of Emergency Management] and local media for the latest updates on the forecast.”

A well-known forecast model is predicting Tropical Storm Dorian will pack hurricane-force winds when it reaches the Florida Peninsula.

Recent runs of the European model, operated by the European Center for Medium Range Forecasting, have been trending a stronger storm over the past 48 hours.

The model has constantly brought the center of the storm to the eastern coast of Florida, somewhere between Jacksonville and West Palm Beach.

Right now, Dorian is approaching several Caribbean islands.

The tropical storm is expected to be near a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on Wednesday and Thursday, CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said.

But it could impact more than just the Caribbean: By the end of the week, what’s left of Dorian is expected to move toward the Bahamas and southeastern parts of the mainland US.

A word of warning, though: “It is still way too early to forecast impacts,” Hennen said about Florida. </s> Follow the storm with the FOX8 Hurricane Tracker.

Tropical Storm Dorian is expected to strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall in Florida on Labor Day.

The storm is forecast to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane by Friday morning as it tracks to the east of Turks and Caicos and approaches Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on Wednesday and Thursday. It may continue to strengthen to a Category 2 storm by Sunday morning before it makes landfall along the east coast of Florida or Georgia Monday morning, the National Hurricane Center said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that he received a briefing from the Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Moskowitz and that it is time to start preparing for Dorian.

"Based on the current track of Tropical Storm Dorian, all residents on the East Coast should prepare for impacts, including strong winds, heavy rain and flooding," DeSantis said. "Make sure to have your supplies ready and follow @FLSERT [Florida Division of Emergency Management] and local media for the latest updates on the forecast."

A well-known forecast model is predicting Tropical Storm Dorian will pack hurricane-force winds when it reaches the Florida Peninsula.

Recent runs of the European model, operated by the European Center for Medium Range Forecasting, have been trending a stronger storm over the past 48 hours.

The model has constantly brought the center of the storm to the eastern coast of Florida, somewhere between Jacksonville and West Palm Beach.

Right now, Dorian is approaching several Caribbean islands.

But it could impact more than just the Caribbean: By the end of the week, what's left of Dorian is expected to move toward the Bahamas and southeastern parts of the mainland US.

A word of warning, though: "It is still way too early to forecast impacts," Hennen said about Florida. </s> Tropical storm Dorian is wreaking havoc in the Atlantic Ocean, tracking heavy rainfall, severe winds and dangerous surf over Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and US and British Virgin Islands. Hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings are in force, as the weather system continues towards Florida. The National Hurricane Centre has issued advisories for wind, rain and surf as the weather system intensifies.

Currently, the storm is packing wind speeds of 60mph and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the centre. At first, Dorian was forecast to reach just Category One hurricane status before weakening, however now forecasters are predicting the weather system will strengthen to Category Two status before hitting Florida. A Category Two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale is classified as having wind speeds for between 96 and 109mph. The NHC describe Category Two hurricanes as having: “Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage.

“Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday he had received a briefing from the Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Moskowitz and it is time to start preparing for Dorian. Mr DeSantis said: “Based on the current track of Tropical Storm Dorian, all residents on the East Coast should prepare for impacts, including strong winds, heavy rain and flooding. “Make sure to have your supplies ready and follow @FLSERT [Florida Division of Emergency Management] and local media for the latest updates on the forecast.” Read More: Hurricane Dorian spaghetti models: Dorian to become a hurricane

Currently, the weather system is approaching several Caribbean islands and is expected to be close to a Category One hurricane as it approaches Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on Wednesday and Thursday according to CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen. For Puerto Rico, CNN meteorologist Chad Myers warned the storm could easily damage already fragile infrastructure on the island where 2,975 people died from Hurricane Maria two years ago. Mr Myers said: “There’s already so much damage on the ground from (Maria) that this isn’t going to take a lot to make a significant amount of damage, especially flooding.” A state of emergency has been declared on the island, and Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced urged people to prepare for the storm. Ms Vázquez said on Twitter: “For citizens who do not yet have safe roofs, we will have shelters ready.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declares a state of emergency in anticipation of Hurricane Dorian, which is expected to make landfall in the state within days.