State of emergency declared in Florida for Tropical Storm Isaias

Key Points:

• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in 25 counties as a precautionary measure ahead of Hurricane Isaias, the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season.
• Hurricane Isaias, previously Tropical Depression 9, was upgraded late Wednesday and is being closely monitored by the National Hurricane Center, especially for its potential impact on the Yucatan Peninsula and northern U.S. Gulf Coast.
• The executive order (EO 26-202) enables the Florida Division of Emergency Management to deploy critical preparedness resources and encourages residents to prepare disaster plans and hurricane supply kits.
• The counties under the state of emergency include Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla, and Washington.
• WESH 2 News provides continuous updates and weather alerts through its app and broadcasts, supported by its First Warning Weather team.