20230830 ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on Hurricane Idalia

Emergency Info for IdaliaEmergency Info for Idalia

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8/30/2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — This afternoon, Governor DeSantis provided updates on Hurricane Idalia in Wildwood, Florida with Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Kevin Guthrie and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. Evacuation orders are being called across more than 30 counties, with shelters opening throughout the day in necessary counties. Governor DeSantis’ Emergency Order can be found here.

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the activation of the Florida Disaster Fund to support communities impacted by Hurricane Idalia. The fund is a component of the Volunteer Florida Foundation, Florida’s official 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports volunteerism, community service, and disaster recovery. To donate, click here. Additionally, Governor DeSantis worked with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to waive pet policies for hurricane evacuees. Read more here.

FDEM has launched the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) for those in Florida to receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Idalia, which can accommodate English, Spanish and Haitian Creole speakers. Residents can call the SAIL hotline at 1-800-342-3557.

Hurricane Idalia is predicted to intensify to a Category 3 when it makes landfall early Wednesday morning. Life-threatening conditions including rain, storm surge and storm force winds are already making impact in Florida’s Gulf Coast counties as of Tuesday afternoon.

As of 5 p.m. EDT, Hurricane Idalia is located approximately 300 miles south of Tallahassee, Florida. Idalia has maximum sustained winds near 100 mph and is forecast to have the greatest impact to the state during the overnight hours of Tuesday through Wednesday afternoon.

Storm surge watch is in effect from Englewood (Charlotte/Sarasota border) to Bonita Beach (Collier/Lee border), including Charlotte Harbor.

Storm surge warning is in effect from Englewood northward (Charlotte/Sarasota border) to Indian Pass (Franklin/Gulf border), including Tampa Bay.

Tropical storm watch is in effect for inland Collier and the Lower Keys.

Tropical storm warning is in effect for Gulf, Liberty, Gadsden, Nassau, Duval, Union, Clay, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, central Marion, eastern Marion, Volusia, Lake, Seminole, Orange, Brevard, Osceola, Polk, Hardee, Desoto, Sarasota, Charlotte, coastal Collier, Lee, as well as the Dry Tortugas.

Hurricane watch is in effect for central Marion.

Hurricane warning is in effect for Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, coastal Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, western Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla counties.

Floridians are encouraged to monitor weather conditions and listen to all orders from local officials, as well as have emergency contact lists updated and important documents backed up and stored in a waterproof protective container.

State Preparedness Efforts

Health and Human Services

Infrastructure, Roads and State Closures

Resources for Employees and Businesses

Emergency Orders

Follow @FLSERT and @GovRonDeSantis on Twitter for live updates.

Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Updates for more information.

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