Florida Gov. DeSantis declares state of emergency

Florida Gov. DeSantis 

Florida Gov. DeSantis declares state of emergency as heavy rains ahead could cause 'major disaster'

He declared a state of emergency for most of the state, except South Florida, ahead of a disturbance that could strengthen into a tropical depression. Forecasters warn that heavy rains and flooding are expected even if the storm fails to become a depression.

DeSantis signed an executive order to prepare resources for a potential major disaster in 54 of the state's 67 counties in north, central, and southwest Florida. All counties in South Florida, except Monroe County, are not subject to the emergency order.

The order states, "As Governor of the State of Florida, I am responsible for addressing the risks that the State of Florida and its people face due to this emergency."

The emergency was imposed because the National Hurricane Center tracked a tropical wave designated Invest 97L.

Forecasters said the wave is producing a large area of ​​rain and thunderstorms over Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the southeastern Bahamas, and adjacent waters of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean and the northeastern Caribbean Sea.

The hurricane center said it will likely develop into a tropical depression over the eastern Gulf of Mexico near Florida this week as environmental conditions become more favorable for storm formation.

As of Thursday evening, the hurricane center gave the wave a 40 percent chance of becoming a depression in the next two days and a 70 percent chance over the next week.

The region is also vulnerable to heavy rains that could cause severe flooding, partly due to the tropical wave.

In the emergency order, DeSantis said some areas of Florida could see at least 12 inches of rain in the next seven days, leading to "flash flooding, river flooding, coastal flooding, erosion and gusty winds."

The order added that the severe weather could damage "critical infrastructure," such as highways, bridges, airports, schools, hospitals and power grids.

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