DeSantis declares state of emergency because of winter storm

Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency ahead of the winter storm forecast to bring snow and ice storms to North Florida this week “to protect the communities, critical infrastructure, and general welfare of Florida.”

The order empowers the Division of Emergency Management to coordinate the state and local response to the weather, expected to include up to four inches of snow in the Panhandle and one-quarter inch of ice from the eastern Panhandle through the Suwanee River Valley, auguring tree damage, downed power lines, and frozen-over roads and bridges.

Conditions could present a “major disaster” as far south as Central Florida, DeSantis said in his order.

The order provides for the suspension of tolls as necessary on the state’s highways, eases access to utility line crews from Florida and out of state, allows the dispensing of up to 30 days’ emergency pharmaceutical prescriptions, establishes emergency shelters, and more.

The order activates the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard to respond to the emergency and allows state agencies to close offices where necessary.

Earlier Monday, legislative leaders postponed House and Senate committee hearings scheduled for this week until next week.

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