Gov. DeSantis declares state of emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Milton

Tropical Storm Milton gaining strength

FOX 13's Valerie Mills says Milton is expected to hit Florida as a major hurricane. The storm could make landfall near Tampa Bay but the track is still uncertain.

UPDATE:

TAMPA, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-215, amending EO 24-214 and declaring a state of emergency for 51 counties.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Milton for 35 Florida counties, including all the counties in the Tampa Bay Area.

DeSantis issued Executive Order (EO) 24-214, declaring a state of emergency for Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia counties.

READ: Sandbag sites open across Bay Area in preparation for Tropical Storm Milton

Tropical Storm Milton is expected to become a dangerous hurricane that could hit the west coast of Florida next week with damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge and torrential rain.

Hurricane and Storm Surge watches will likely be required for portions of Florida on Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

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