Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Executive Order 26-202 on Tuesday, declaring 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 upgraded to 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 supplier demonstrates a genuine 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, supported by 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 includes measures related to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department (FLHSMV), such as the suspension of certain renewal requirements and fees for document replacement within the declared area.
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 current 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 unexpectedly changes direction, an amendment may be issued that includes 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.
The counties not included may act on their own
Section 11 of EO 26-202 outlines the actions of local authorities in counties not included in the state declaration.
Therefore, a locality in South Florida could implement emergency measures within the powers granted by current legislation if conditions warrant it, even if the county has not been included in the state order.
The governor urged all Floridians to take this time to prepare.
“Floridians should take this time to establish emergency plans and ensure that their hurricane supply kit is complete,” he stated.
Those with family in northern Florida or planning to travel to that region in the coming days should closely monitor the advisories from the National Hurricane Center and the instructions from local authorities in 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.
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