TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially declared a state of emergency for 25 counties across the state as Tropical Depression Nine continues to organize in the Gulf of Mexico. With meteorologists forecasting that the system will intensify into a tropical storm or hurricane by the time it reaches the Gulf Coast later this week, the administration is moving quickly to clear the path for critical disaster response efforts.
“Today, I signed an Executive Order issuing a state of emergency ahead of potential impacts from Tropical Depression Nine,” Governor DeSantis said in a statement. “This order will allow the Florida Division of Emergency Management to stage critical preparedness resources and ensure Florida is ready to respond.”
The Governor urged residents to treat the system with gravity, advising them to finalize their disaster plans and ensure their hurricane supply kits are fully stocked before conditions begin to deteriorate.
In anticipation of the storm’s arrival, the Florida State Emergency Response Team (SERT) has begun mobilizing a massive logistics operation. Assets are currently being strategically staged in Tallahassee and the Santa Rosa area to allow for rapid deployment once the storm’s trajectory becomes clearer. Among the resources being moved into position are generators, fuel reserves, flood barriers, boxed water, shelf-stable meals, sandbags, and specialized flood-control equipment like Tiger Dams.
The forecast warns that Floridians should prepare for a significant weather event. Current models suggest a potential landfall on the central Gulf Coast, but the impact zone is expected to be wide. North Florida, in particular, remains on high alert, with officials warning of heavy rainfall, sustained strong winds, coastal flooding, and the threat of isolated tornadoes. Meteorologists are particularly concerned about the state’s current saturation levels; following recent heavy rainfall across the region, the ground is already nearing its absorption limit, which significantly increases the risk of flash flooding as the storm moves inland.
The 25 counties included in the state of emergency are Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla, and Washington.
State officials are urging the public to stay informed as the system evolves. Residents are encouraged to monitor local weather reports closely and visit FloridaDisaster.org for comprehensive preparation guides, evacuation zone information, and checklists. Live updates regarding the state’s response efforts and resource deployment can be found by following the Florida Division of Emergency Management on X (formerly Twitter) at @FLSERT.
As the state enters the crucial window for storm preparation, emergency management agencies stress that time is of the essence. Officials advise residents to stay tuned to local news outlets for the latest track updates as Tropical Depression Nine navigates the Gulf of Mexico.
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