DeSantis declares state of emergency in Florida

Announcer: Local, Live, Latest, WESH 2 news starts now. Stewart: Florida is in Kona. We are tracking a forecast that could make landfall as a hurricane next week. Michelle: Governor RON DESANTIS has declared a state of emergency in 24 counties. Central Florida affected are Brevard, Oscola and Polk counties. Stewart: Tonight, we have team coverage. DAVE MCDANIEL and MEGAN MELLADO of WESH 2 are looking at how local cities and counties can prepare now. But first, the latest advice has been published. Chief Meteorologist TONY MAINOLFI and Meteorologist ALEX ALECCI have been observing the model. Tony, what’s the latest information? Tony: I’m telling you what, at least initially you look at the consulting, Ford’s speed has increased from 14 to 15. The pressure remains stable. Winds were 35 miles per hour. Wind shear keeps everything far from the northeast under check today. When you look at the depths of the warm waters of the Caribbean, especially west of Kingston, Jamaica and Grand Cayman, there is plenty of fuel to be had in the tropical system. You can see that the new track is south and west of Kingston. But then it turned to southwest Florida, very similar to what Charlie did, albeit at a very fast pace. enlarge. Based on the latest information, there is your estimated time of arrival. 2:00 PM, 150 mph – 150 mph winds just south of Tampa Bay. Looking at this, finally in the model of the cone, there is one or two outliers on the west side. When the trend is more in South Florida, we have seen a trajectory towards the west side of the cone, which is the opposite of earlier in the morning. If you’re just going home, that’s a slight adjustment. Either way, late Tuesday and Wednesday, if things don’t change, that’s when we’re in trouble because when you look at the intensity forecasts, most of them are around category 3. There’s more to ALEX here. Alex: We’re following it closely. If the models are validated, especially in the National Hurricane Center’s forecast, this is the earliest time we could see tropical storm winds arrive. For Central Florida, almost all of us are yellow. We might see — we might see those winds Tuesday night. You want to start preparing now. While confidence is low, we must continue to check today and determine the forecast tomorrow as the system continues to develop into a tropical storm. Then as we head into Sunday, that’s when you need to have your hurricane kit ready. You want to finish early. Stores will be full as we head into the weekend. May have an outdoor prep rock by Monday. By Tuesday, the storm came. By Wednesday, it will begin to advance. Take a look at the model comparison in a few minutes. Stewart: The downpour we’ve been doing lately isn’t just making our yard soggy. Rivers and lakes are rising. Michelle: So with the possibility of more rain in the tropical system, counties are trying to make sure they can handle it. DAVE MCDANIEL of WESH 2 lives in Orange County and work is in progress. Dave? Dave: We’re at Fairview Lake. Does it look very complete? , it is more than full. See this spillway? Excess water flows into canals through culverts to lower the lake. That is to lower the level a bit. In all areas of Orange County, they are actively moving water in preparation for rain. Etc., etc. What you’re seeing is flood protection. JEFF CHARLES: All of our pumping stations are automated, so they operate at a certain height even when no one is there. We just walked around to make sure they were all running today. Dave: Make sure they are not only operational, but manually pumping water to lower levels in storage areas and pumping stations. JEFF CHARLES: We are actively pumping water almost every day, almost whenever we have these afternoon rain events, just to keep these areas low. Dave: Orange County’s stormwater system, impressive. JEFF CHARLES: The county has nearly 2,000 cisterns, 95 miles of canals, we have 18 pumping stations, we have 75 drainage wells and two mobile pumps ready to use. Dave: You just have to look around central Florida to see a lot of stormwater cisterns being filled. St. The Johns River is high. Two of the three piers leading to the boat ramp in the roadside park have been flooded. Seminole County began a self-service sandbag operation Friday morning amid concerns about water levels. STEVEN LERNER: It could close some major roads, THOROUGHFARES, trap people in their homes — people in their homes. We really don’t want that to happen. Dave: There are still a few days to prepare. Back in Orange County, it did just that. >> Going around checking all our hot spots, clearing any blockages that might be in the canals, running pump stations, discarding areas that seem to be high, just monitoring the lake level to see what we already have. Dave: The Orange County pump station also has emergency generators. They want to make sure the pump keeps working when it’s needed. Starting at 6:00 p.m., why it’s so important to be prepared for the coming storm. Dave McDaniel, WESH 2 News. Stewart: In OSCEOLA County, emergency management officials are monitoring the weather and locals are starting to stockpile and prepare. MICHELLE: WESH 2’s OSCEOLA County Bureau reporter MEGAN MELLADO addresses residents to get ready. Megan: In St. Cloud, you can see busy hardware stores. Consensus is safer than sorry. >> We have a lot of water and food. We have a lot of gasoline. We have a generator in case of a power outage. Reporter: Bradley and his family are hoarding and buying all the materials to get on the plane. >> Our area is very windy. Reporter: Others say they are also preparing. >> We are watching. REPORTER: Emergency Management says they are monitoring the weather and are encouraging people to have emergency kits ready and to sign up for calls to receive notifications from Alert OSCEOLA. >> As simple as texting 888-777, alert OSCEOLA. Reporter: There is also a map online showing flood-prone areas and evacuation routes. >> You can see real-time information from county water flow meters so you can see if the area near you is close to being flooded. REPORTER: As far as shelters and sandbag locations we’ve been told, these won’t open until close to impact. MEGAN MELLADO, WESH 2 NEWS. Michelle: You can start preparing for this weekend’s storm by filling the sandbags .Many fill stations will open this weekend, including one at FESTIVAL PARK, DELTONA, on Hodder Avenue. Open Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. You will need to bring your own shovel and proof of residency. Only 10 bags per household. Remember WESH 2 is your home about tropical systems, now is the time to review

DeSantis declares state of emergency in Florida

Updated: September 24, 2022 1:36 PM ET

Related videos above: WESH 2 News and WESH 2 First Warning Weather Team Tracks Tropical Storm Ian Florida Governor. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency across Florida as the state prepares for the potential impact of Tropical Storm Ian, according to a press release issued Saturday afternoon. DeSantis also asked for a federal pre-landfall emergency declaration before the storm. Related: NHC forecasts Tropical Storm Ian to hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane Check out the latest maps, models and paths here Floridians provide resources and support and allocate funds for emergency protections. Under this emergency order, members of the Florida National Guard will be activated and on standby. >>> Download WESH 2 News Hurricane Survival Guide <<< Survival Season: Everything You Need to Know About Florida Hurricane Season Saturday's executive order revamped the order, which began Friday, expanding the state of emergency from 24 counties to the state . "The severity and trajectory of Tropical Depression Nine will continue to evolve. Therefore, as well as the potential for potentially dangerous storm surge, heavy rainfall, high winds, flash flooding, and isolated tornado activity," the governor's office wrote Friday.

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Related videos above: WESH 2 News and WESH 2 First Warning Weather Team Tracks Tropical Storm Ian

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for the entire state of Florida as the state prepares for the potential impact of Tropical Storm Ian, according to a press release issued Saturday afternoon.

DeSantis also called for a federal pre-landfall emergency declaration before the storm.

related: NHC forecasts Tropical Storm Ian to hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane

Check out the latest maps, models and trails here

The governor’s office said the announcement will provide Floridians with resources and support and allocate funds for emergency protections.

Under the emergency order, members of the Florida National Guard will be activated and on standby.

>>> Download WESH 2 News Hurricane Survival Guide<<

Getting through the season: Everything you need to know this hurricane season in Florida

Saturday’s executive order amended the order starting Friday, expanding the state of emergency from 24 counties to the state.

“The severity and trajectory of Tropical Depression Nine will continue to evolve. As a result, dangerous storm surges, heavy rainfall, strong winds, flash floods, and isolated tornado activity are possible,” the governor’s office wrote Friday.