DeSantis: 87,000 without power as storms, tornadoes batter Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference at the Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee as high winds and storms ripped through northern Florida Tuesday.

Around 87,000 accounts are without power as of 12:00 p.m., according to DeSantis.

The governor said at least four tornadoes have touched down in the panhandle.

He said he previously activated the Florida State Guard which has more than 30 soldiers who will assist the Division of Emergency Management with damage assessments.

DeSantis said Florida Department of Transportation crews are clearing downed trees. Florida Highway Patrol troopers have been deployed to the Panhandle and are actively escorting critical equipment and personnel into impacted areas.

The governor issued an emergency order Tuesday to include 49 counties under a state of emergency from the North Florida tornadoes.

Tuesday, 34 school districts closed, according to the governor. He said the Florida Department of Education is working with districts as they make school closure decisions for Wednesday.

Tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued across the Florida Panhandle Tuesday morning with reports of damage, according to the executive order. Additional Tornado Watches are likely to be issued later for parts of the Florida Peninsula.

Counties included in the executive order are: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Seminole, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis shared a helicopter’s view of the damage showing a large building ripped apart from the storm.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management shared an image of structures with damage.

“We are beginning to see impacts from the severe weather that is making its way across the Panhandle. Technical Rescue Teams are currently being deployed to complete damage assessments in impacted areas. Please remain in your homes until the storm has passed,” the post said.

The governor said the Florida Department of Commerce has activated the business damage assessment survey to help assess the needs of impacted businesses.