Levy County enters state of emergency

Update (8:15 a.m. Monday): Tropical Storm Elsa has slowed near Cuba, delaying its arrival in the area until at least Tuesday evening. 

David Peaton, Levy County Emergency Management assistant director, issued the following Monday morning updates in the forecast: 

  • Storm Surge Watch in effect for Coastal Levy County
  • Tropical Storm Surge Watch in effect for all Levy County
  • Tropical Storm winds can be expected to begin as early as Tuesday night, but most likely in the overnight hours going into Wednesday
  • Rainfall values haven’t changed muchL 2-4 inches of rain with some areas seeing higher
  • Storm surge of 2-4ft AGL (4-6ft MSL) most likely timing on Wednesday
  • No evacuations or closures at this time, but residents and visitors should monitor closely just in case that changes

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Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Saturday evening regarding Tropical Storm Elsa, which is expected to make landfall in Florida as soon as Monday. 

The order declares a state of emergency in the following counties: Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota.

“The storm is expected to start bringing impacts to South Florida as early as Monday,” DeSantis said. Elsa was downgraded from a hurricane early Saturday morning.

“As of the 5 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Elsa was located near the southern coast of Haiti and moving rapidly at 28 miles per hour towards Florida.”

Tropical storm watches have been issued for the middle and lower Florida Keys, he announced, adding that storm watches are anticipated for Florida’s west coast tonight or tomorrow morning.

“We are preparing for the risk of isolated tornadoes, storm surge, heavy rainfall and flash flooding,” DeSantis said.

David Peaton, Levy County Emergency Management assistant director

He urged residents to begin preparation efforts, stating that they should prepare seven days of supplies and establish a disaster plan that includes pets, family members with special needs and checking on elderly and vulnerable neighbors.

David Peaton, Levy County Emergency Management assistant director, said he will provide an update this evening after the expected 7 p.m. briefing from the National Weather Service.

A copy of Executive Order 21-150 can be found here

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