DeSantis Declares Emergency for 25 Counties Ahead of Developing Hurricane

Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 25 Florida counties on Tuesday, anticipating Tropical Depression Nine strengthening into a hurricane later this week. The declaration aims to bolster state preparedness as the storm is currently forecast to develop into a hurricane by Thursday and potentially make landfall on the northern Gulf Coast by Friday afternoon, as reported by WFLA.

According to the Governor's executive order, the state of emergency encompasses 25 Florida counties. While WFLA reported the order's application to 25 counties, WTSP specifically noted that it applies to parts of northern Florida, a detail also confirmed by the executive order itself. This declaration permits the Florida Division of Emergency Management to ensure state readiness and allows the agency to "stage critical preparedness resources," according to the executive order and WTSP's report.

Tropical Depression Nine officially formed on Tuesday afternoon, WFLA reported. Forecasters with WFLA expect the system to drift toward the northeast later this week and develop into a hurricane by Thursday. Current projections indicate the storm is forecast to strike the northern Gulf Coast on Friday afternoon. A tropical depression is characterized by maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less, while a hurricane has winds of 74 mph or higher, according to meteorological definitions.

Florida faces consistent threats from tropical systems, with historical data showing all 67 of its counties having been impacted by at least one storm over the past 150 years. The state's Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, typically peaking between mid-August and late October. Governors frequently issue executive orders for states of emergency as a preemptive measure during this period, enabling the Florida Division of Emergency Management to mobilize resources and enhance state readiness, according to state records.

This declaration covers approximately 37% of Florida's 67 counties, based on state data. Governor DeSantis has previously issued similar emergency orders for tropical systems, including for Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Debby, and Idalia in recent years. This marks a significant developing threat, as Florida had not experienced a hurricane landfall during the 2026 storm season as of October 7, 2026.