Gov. Rick Scott to Declare State of Emergency for Counties in Florida Panhandle and Big Bend

Governor Rick Scott (R) will declare a state of emergency for counties in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend in preparation for Tropical Depression 14 to strengthen to Hurricane Michael. The Euro model (ECMWF) forecasts Tropical Depression Fourteen to make landfall as Hurricane Michael at the Florida Panhandle along the U.S. Gulf Coast on Wednesday.

“With the National Hurricane Center forecasting Tropical Depression 14 to strengthen and impact Florida’s Panhandle as a hurricane, families need to get prepared. Today, I will be declaring a state of emergency in counties in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend and directing the State Emergency Operations Center to activate. Later today, I will receive a full update and briefing on the forecast and potential impacts of the storm from federal, state and local emergency management officials.”

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Tropical Depression Fourteen is currently located about 90 miles east of Chetumal, Mexico, moving slowly tracking north-northwest with maximum winds of 35 miles per hour.

“Our state understands how serious tropical weather is and how devastating any hurricane or tropical storm can be,” Governor Scott added. “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.”

Hurricane Michael is forecast to be a Category 1 storm when it makes landfall, with maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour. Hurricane strength is 74 miles per hour.

“If any Florida family doesn’t have an emergency preparedness plan, now is the time to act,” he added. “Floridians also know just how quickly the path of a storm can change and that’s why we all must be vigilant and get prepared today. I encourage every Floridian to visit www.FloridaDisaster.org.”