Governor Ron DeSantis Requests Pre-Landfall Emergency Declaration for Tropical Storm Elsa
Governor Ron DeSantis requested a pre-landfall Emergency Declaration in anticipation of impacts from Tropical Storm Elsa.
Current forecasts project Tropical Storm Elsa will impact the Florida Keys, the Florida Peninsula and portions of the Florida Panhandle as early as Monday and continue through Wednesday. The Pre-Landfall Declaration request is for Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.
Full remarks regarding current state preparation and response efforts for Tropical Storm Elsa from this morning's press conference are available here. Vicegobernadora Jeanette Nuñez también pronunció comentarios en español. Los comentarios comienzan en 3:00.
Governor DeSantis specifically requested Public Assistance Category B for emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care, including evacuation and sheltering support. Governor DeSantis’ letter to President Biden is available here.
Tropical Storm Elsa has the potential to re-strengthen to near-hurricane strength before making landfall in Florida. The storm poses risks of storm surge, heavy rainfall, flash flooding and isolated tornado activity for the Florida Keys, most of Florida’s Peninsula and portions of the Florida Panhandle.
Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 21-150, declaring a State of Emergency for Tropical Storm Elsa in 15 counties.
Additionally, Governor DeSantis continues to support the community of Surfside as they take protective measures against potential impacts from Tropical Storm Elsa while responding to the Surfside Building Collapse. Residents and first responders have been evacuated away from the unstable remainder of Champlain Tower South, and the state is covering all costs associated with the demolition of the building prior to the storm’s landfall in order to ensure the safety of residents and first responders.
Updated: Monday, July 5, 2021
