TALLAHASSEE, FL (WYND) – Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 33 of our counties ahead of Tropical Depression 10, formerly Invest 93L. Forecasters from the National Weather Service say they expect the storm to head toward Panama City to Big Bend to the Tampa area.
The storm is predicted to organize and strengthen becoming Tropical Storm Idalia and eventually a hurricane before landfall along our Gulf Coast.
As of 5 P.M. Saturday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) posted that the maximum sustained winds with the tropical depression were around 30mph.
![[Image of probabilities of 34-kt winds]](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT10/refresh/AL102023_wind_probs_34_F120+png/234234.png)
They will issue a Tropical Storm Watch when they expect winds to reach 39 to 73 mph within 48 hours. When winds reach these levels, they can produce damage and there can also be storm surge, coastal flooding, and tornadoes. A Hurricane Watch is issued when maximum sustained winds are expected to reach at least 74 mph within 48 hours.
Some counties, including Citrus, are already offering sandbags.
Counties included in Governor DeSantis’ State of Emergency are:
- Alachua
- Bay
- Calhoun
- Charlotte
- Citrus
- Columbia
- DeSoto
- Dixie
- Franklin
- Gadsden
- Gilchrist
- Gulf
- Hamilton
- Hardee
- Hernando
- Hillsborough
- Jefferson
- Lafayette
- Lee
- Leon
- Levy
- Liberty
- Madison
- Manatee
- Marion
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Sarasota
- Sumter
- Suwannee
- Taylor
- Wakulla
To read the Executive Order, click here.
To find resources to help you and your family prepare for this storm as well as the latest trajectory, you can visit our Hurricane Center.
Kathy Dugan
Public Affairs Director, NCFM