Ron DeSantis Declares State of Emergency in 61 Florida Counties as Tropical Storm Helene Approaches

ALABAMA - Earlier this year, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center predicted an above-normal hurricane season for 2024 which runs from June 1 to November 30 of every year.

With about two months to go until the end of the season, the state of Florida is preparing for another storm, this one forecasted to undergo rapid intensification and potentially turn into a major hurricane as it crosses the Gulf of Mexico. As Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine intensified into Tropical Storm Helene, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 61 counties across the state.

Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota and Monroe county are some of the counties under the emergency declaration, as well as most counties alongside the western Florida coastline.

While issuing the state of emergency order, DeSantis cited risks associated with the system's development, including concerns about coastal erosion, widespread power outages and damage to roadways, hospitals and schools.

"The incoming heavy rainfall, flooding, and gusty winds will cause widespread power outages due to fallen trees and power lines," reads a passage of DeSantis' executive order. "There is a significant threat of storm surge, coastal flooding and erosion, heavy rainfall and flash flooding, and damaging winds to the Florida Gulf Coast."

Tropical Storm Helene officially formed on Sept. 24 and is expected to make landfall in Florida on Sept. 26. It is forecasted to turn into a hurricane by Sept. 25 and it could produce up to three to six inches of rain and will likely result in local flash and urban flooding.

Due to abnormally warm waters, some prediction models expect Helene to turn into a possible Category 4 Major Hurricane. With this in mind, DeSantis urged Floridians to prepare by filling gas tanks, stocking up on food and be familiar with evacuation zones.

Sandbags were also distributed to residents in Tallahassee, Gulfport, and Henrico County ahead of potential flooding.

According to Brian McNoldy, a senior research scientist at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School, water temperature in the Gulf is at a record high for this time of the year, which would cause the tropical storm to grow thanks to what experts call rapid intensification.

During this phase, a storm can see an increase of at least 35 mph in a 24-hour period, but storms can intensify more than that or over a longer period of time under the right conditions.

Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody also urged Floridians to prepare for the storm by using her X social media account.

DeSantis' executive order permits state and local agencies to close public facilities such as schools and government buildings if necessary, as well as activating the Florida National Guard to help with any potential damages.

According to the Florida Climate Center, Helene would be the fifth hurricane to make landfall in Florida in the last three years and the fourth one to make landfall in the United States in 2024.

In June, Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas leaving billions of dollars in damages. Hurricane Debby hit Florida's Big Bend region in August while Francine made landfall in Louisiana on Sept. 11.