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Gov. DeSantis declares state of emergency for 51 counties ahead of Tropical Storm Milton

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Updated  October 6, 2024 11:58am EDT
Hurricane Milton
FOX 35 Orlando

Gov. DeSantis Tropical Storm Milton update | Full remarks

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Kevin Guthrie, the executive director of Florida's Emergency Management Division, held a press conference Saturday morning ahead of Tropical Storm Milton. Milton is expected to strengthen into a hurricane, possibly a major hurricane, before making landfall over Florida this week.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Kevin Guthrie, executive director of Florida's Division of Emergency Management, urged Floridians to prepare over the next couple of days for Tropical Storm Milton, which is expected to become a hurricane before landfall. 

It comes more than a week after the state's Gulf coast and Big Bend region were slammed by Hurricane Helene.

DeSantis expanded his emergency declaration to 51 of Florida's 67 counties.

The following counties are under a state of emergency ahead of Milton: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union, and Volusia counties.

Press conference: Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie

Florida emergency director: Prepare for Tropical Storm Milton

Kevin Guthrie, executive director for the Florida Divsion of Emergency Management, urged people to prepare their disaster kits and evacuation plans ahead of Tropical Storm Milton. Guthrie and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference early Saturday.

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