DeSantis declares a state of emergency in 35 Florida counties

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Saturday afternoon that he had declared a state of emergency in Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe and 32 other Florida counties.

DeSantis' order follows the National Hurricane Center's forecast that Tropical Storm Milton will develop into a major hurricane, make landfall in western Florida and cross the state toward the Atlantic Ocean.

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The order signed by DeSantis on Saturday includes a subsection directing all state, county and local government agencies to “allow Floridians to return to their properties following the storm if it is reasonably safe to do so.”

The order also requires trash disposal sites and landfills to remain open in all counties affected by Hurricane Helene.

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“As many continue to recover from Hurricane Helene, I have directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Transportation to coordinate all available personnel and resources to assist local communities in expediting debris removal in affected areas to support,” DeSantis wrote in a statement.

DeSantis also reported that state teams are preparing for “efficient search and rescue operations, power restoration and road clearance” after Milton comes through.

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