Florida Governor Ron DeSantis provided updates about the January severe weather event at the State Emergency Operations Center. Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-03, which designates 49 counties as being under a state of emergency in order to maximize resources available to impacted counties.
In preparation for the severe weather, on Monday Governor DeSantis activated the Florida National Guard.
A tornado watch will remain in effect for the Florida Panhandle and Suwannee River Valley through 2 p.m. EST for the following counties: Bay, Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton and Washington.
Read: 15 Florida Counties Under Tornado Watch, 49 Counties Under State Of Emergency
There is an enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms across the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend, Nature Coast, and through the Suwannee River Valley advancing eastward. West-Central Florida is expected to experience severe thunderstorms by early afternoon today.
In anticipation of severe weather conditions, multiple counties closed schools and campuses ahead of January 9, 2024. School closures for Wednesday, January 10, will be announced throughout the day.
There are over 87,700 accounts reported without power due to the severe weather event. Florida’s utility providers pre-positioned crews across the state to respond and are actively working to restore power where it is safe to do so.
The Florida Department of Transportation continues to coordinate with Florida utility providers, counties, and municipalities on roadway conditions to ensure roadways are cleared with power restoration in mind.
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