DeSantis declares emergency in 33 FL counties as storm approaches.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ‌declared⁢ a state of emergency in 33 counties in preparation for the potential impact of a weather system​ that the National​ Hurricane Center (NHC) warns is becoming better ‌organized⁤ and could ‍become a tropical storm with‍ dangerous consequences.

The weather system—an area of low⁢ pressure ⁤dubbed Invest 93L—that is located in the ‌northwestern Caribbean Sea and eastern Gulf of Mexico near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula continued to become ‌better organized on Saturday.

“The⁤ disturbance near‍ the Yucatan is⁤ becoming better organized. Heavy rains are likely over portions of⁤ W Cuba⁤ and Yucatan Peninsula,” ⁤ NHC⁤ said in a ⁤post on ‍X, ‍the platform formerly known as Twitter, ​on Aug. 26.

“Interest in these areas & Florida need to stay⁢ up to date with the⁤ latest at hurricanes.gov Have your ⁤hurricane plan in place,”‌ NHC added.

‘Time to Prepare for the Storm’

While the weather system has not⁤ yet become organized enough to be given a name, Mr. DeSantis has declared a state​ of emergency in 33 counties and put emergency ⁤management services on alert.

“I’ve signed an⁤ executive​ order declaring a‍ state of emergency ‍for⁣ 33 counties in preparation for Invest 93L. Issuing this order today ‌ensures communities have time‌ to ​prepare for the storm system which could⁤ have impacts along‍ the Gulf Coast ⁣next week,”​ Mr. DeSantis said in a post⁤ on ​X.

There’s currently ‍a 90 ‌percent chance ⁣that the weather disturbance becomes‌ a cyclone within the‌ next 48 hours, ⁤per NHC.

Earlier, Mr. DeSantis ⁣directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management to get ready for Invest 93L ⁣to strengthen into a tropical storm.

“I’ve directed⁣ @KevinGuthrieFL & the FL⁣ Emergency Management team to prepare‍ for a potential tropical⁤ system currently moving across the Yucatán Peninsula,” Mr. DeSantis posted.

“Residents should remain vigilant and⁢ prepare for⁣ possible impacts early next week,”‍ he added.

While the NHC expects Invest 93L to develop⁢ slowly over the weekend, early​ models​ suggest it could make ⁤landfall in Florida at some point between Tuesday and Thursday.

“The storm​ activity continues to gradually become better organized. ⁢If this trend continues, advisories​ will be initiated on this ⁤system later today,” NHC said ‌in an ⁤Atlantic tropical ⁤weather outlook on the morning of Aug. 26.

“The system is expected to move very slowly ‍northward into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico during⁣ the ‌next couple of⁤ days,” NHC said in the outlook. “The chance of development‍ is high over the next 48 hours.”

Rick Knabb, a hurricane expert at the Weather ⁤Channel, said in a post on X that Invest 93L has ​the potential to strengthen into a⁣ number of dangerous⁢ weather systems.

“Especially this time of year, just about ⁢anything‌ is possible intensity wise for a system forming ⁢near Yucatán and heading north into Gulf. Be ready to react quickly this weekend into early next week as #93L intensifies,” Mr. Knabb said.

“Even a tropical storm can generate significant storm surge,” he⁣ added.

Tropical Storm Franklin‍ Becomes Hurricane

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Franklin ‌has strengthened ⁢into a hurricane and could ⁢threaten the U.S. ⁢East Coast next ⁤week, per NHC.

Hurricane Franklin was located around​ 620 miles south of Bermuda, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, ⁣ according‌ to ⁢an advisory issued by NHC at 11 a.m. ET on Aug. 26.

Franklin was moving north-northwest at ⁣around 7 mph, with⁣ the ​hurricane expected to drift across the western Atlantic through early next week, while⁣ gathering strength.

“Steady strengthening is ⁤forecast, and⁢ Franklin could⁣ become a major hurricane early next week,” NHC forecasters ​wrote in the ⁢latest 11‍ a.m. advisory.

Swells generated by the hurricane ​are expected to ⁣begin ‌impacting Bermuda on Sunday night before threatening parts of the U.S. eastern⁢ seaboard.

“These swells are⁣ also likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions late​ this weekend into early next ‍week along portions of the east‍ coast ‍of the United States.