Florida Gov. Rick Scott to declare state of emergency Sunday

Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced that he will issue an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Florida as Tropical Storm Michael approaches.

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Scott wants to ensure that state and local governments have ample time, resources and flexibility to get prepared for the storm.

Scott will be traveling to Tallahassee Sunday afternoon to receive a briefing from federal, state and local emergency management officials.

According to the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Michael is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall in the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday, Oct. 10.

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Scott said, “With the National Hurricane Center forecasting Tropical (Storm Michael) to strengthen and impact Florida’s Panhandle as a hurricane, families need to get prepared. Today, I will be declaring a state of emergency in counties in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend and directing the State Emergency Operations Center to activate.

"Later today, I will receive a full update and briefing on the forecast and potential impacts of the storm from federal, state and local emergency management officials. Our state understands how serious tropical weather is and how devastating any hurricane or tropical storm can be. As we continue to monitor this storm’s northward path toward Florida, it is critically important that our communities have every available resource to keep everyone safe and prepared.

“If any Florida family doesn’t have an emergency preparedness plan, now is the time to act. Floridians also know just how quickly the path of a storm can change, and that’s why we all must be vigilant and get prepared today. I encourage every Floridian to visit www.FloridaDisaster.org.”

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Cox Media Group