The governor Ron DeSantis signed on Tuesday the Executive Order 26-202, which declares a state of emergency in 25 counties in northern Florida and the Panhandle due to the threat of what was then Tropical Depression Nine, which was transformed into Tropical Storm Isaías on Wednesday.
The question that many residents of the southern part of the state are asking is straightforward: Does this declaration affect them?
The short answer is that, for now, the state order does not include South Florida. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach are excluded from the current declaration.
The declaration exclusively covers the following counties: 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, all located in the northern and northwestern parts of the state.
What measures apply only within those 25 counties?
The order activates several emergency measures in the 25 included counties.
The first is the prohibition of price gouging under section 501.160 of the Florida Statutes: abuse is presumed when the price of a product or service significantly exceeds the average of the previous 30 days prior to the declaration, unless the provider can demonstrate a real increase in costs.
Anyone who detects excessive charges can call the Florida Attorney General's complaint line: 1-866-966-7226.
The second is the emergency refill of up to 30 days of maintenance medications, covered under section 465.0275 of the Florida Statutes.
This benefit applies to residents of the 25 declared counties and to emergency personnel activated by state or local agencies.
Hospitals with institutional pharmacies located in a covered county can also prescribe and dispense medications for up to 72 hours.
The third one includes measures related to procedures from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), such as the suspension of specific renewal requirements and fees for document replacement within the declared zone.
None of these measures automatically extend to those living in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach under the current order.
What happens if the storm changes course?
DeSantis can extend the declaration through a new order or an amendment to the existing one.
It is a mechanism that has been used before: during Hurricane Milton in October 2024, the declaration went from 35 to 51 counties in less than 24 hours.
If Isaiah intensifies, moves further south, or changes course unexpectedly, an amendment might be issued to include counties in central or southern Florida.
The trajectory, intensity, and potential impact zones of the system may change, so residents should stay updated with information from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and local authorities.
Counties not included may act on their own
Section 11 of EO 26-202 addresses the actions of local authorities in counties not included in the state declaration.
Therefore, a locality in southern Florida could adopt emergency measures within the powers granted by existing legislation if conditions necessitate it, even if the county has not been included in the state order.
The governor urged all Floridians to take this moment to prepare.
"Floridians should take this time to establish emergency plans and ensure that their hurricane supply kits are complete," he stated.
Those with family in northern Florida or planning to travel to that region in the coming days should closely monitor the bulletins from the National Hurricane Center and the instructions from local authorities of the counties declared in emergency, where state teams have already deployed generators, flood barriers, bottled water, food, and sandbags in Tallahassee and the Santa Rosa area.
Related videos:
Filed under: