Florida Governor declares state of emergency for 41 counties due to hurricane threat.

Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 41 counties in Florida, including Monroe, where the Keys are located.

"We are monitoring the potential Tropical Cyclone No. 9, which is likely to strengthen this week as the system moves into the Gulf of Mexico. I have issued Executive Order 24-208, declaring a state of emergency in 41 counties in Florida that could experience potential storm impacts and directing Florida agencies to prepare as necessary. We will continue to monitor the storm's path and keep Floridians informed," the governor said from his account on the social network X.

The order issued by the official states that “there is a significant threat of storm surges, flooding, coastal erosion, heavy rains and flash flooding, and damaging winds along the Gulf Coast of Florida.”

The provision excludes the southeast part of the state, leaving out Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and Broward counties.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned on Monday that potential cyclone number nine will strengthen and reach hurricane status, named Helene, before impacting the northeast coast of the Gulf of Florida next Thursday.

The governments of Cuba and Mexico have also been on alert regarding the presence of this meteorological system in Caribbean waters. Cuba issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the Isle of Youth, Artemisa, and Pinar del Río, while the Mexicans launched a Tropical Storm Warning for the Yucatán Peninsula, from Río Lagartos to Tulum, and a Hurricane Watch from Cabo Catoche to Tulum.