DeSantis issues emergency order as Tropical Storm Isaias heads toward the Gulf Coast

5-day watches/warnings forecast cone for Tropical Depression No. 9. (Source: The National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center )

This story has been updated to reflect that Tropical Depression 9 is now Tropical Storm Isaias and to update the storm’s trajectory.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Tuesday night declaring a state of emergency for 25 Florida counties in advance of Tropical Storm Isaias, heading toward the northern Gulf Coast and potentially Florida.

Isaias is expected to become a hurricane by Thursday, the National Hurricane Center and Pacific Hurricane Center said in an update Wednesday morning.

Swells from the storm are expected to hit the western and northern portions of the Yucatan Peninsula starting Thursday and spread northward toward the U.S. Gulf Coast later this week.

“These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the update notes.

Meanwhile, DeSantis’ state of emergency applies to: 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 counties.

“This order will allow the Florida Division of Emergency Management to stage critical preparedness resources and ensure Florida is ready to respond,” DeSantis said in a news release. “Floridians should take this time to get disaster plans in place and ensure their hurricane supply kit is stocked.” The governor said residents should visit FloridaDisaster.org for a review of disaster plans.

State emergency response teams began mobilizing Tuesday to support storm preparation efforts. Resources, such as fuel, generators, flood barriers, pallets of water bottles, tarps, sandbags and shelf-stable meals, are being staged in both Leon and Santa Rosa counties to ensure they can be sent quickly to communities in need.

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