Florida Declares State of Emergency in Response to Ernesto Threat

As of 11 a.m. EDT, Tropical Storm Ernesto was moving over eastern Cuba bringing heavy rains, floods and mudslides, according to the National Hurricane Center.

A hurricane watch has been extended along Florida’s eastern coast to New Smyrna Beach and a hurricane watch has been issued for Lake Okeechobee. Thus a hurricane watch is in effect from New Smyrna Beach southward on the Flordia eastern coast and from Chokoloskee southward along the western coast, for Lake Okeechobee and for all of the Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to Dry Tortugas. A hurricane watch remains in effect for the entire Florida Keys, as it is for parts of the Bahamas.

The weather forecasters said hurricane watches might be issued for other parts of Florida later today. A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions could hit within 24 hours. A watch means such conditions could be felt within 36 hours.

At 11 a.m., the center of the storm was on the coast of eastern Cuba, 35 miles west of Guantanamo. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to 40 m.p.h. and could lessen further as Ernesto moves over land today. However Ernesto could pick up speed as it moves out to sea and north away from land.

In response to warnings that Ernesto could threaten Florida, Governor Jeb Bush on Sunday declared a state of emergency. Florida Keys tourists were asked to leave. All travel trailers and recreational vehicles also were ordered off the islands immediately.

“I find that the State of Florida may be threatened with a major disaster, and I hereby declare that a state of emergency exists in the State of Florida, and that the evacuation of multiple counties in the State may be necessary because of Hurricane Ernesto,” Bush stated in his emergency declaration.

Forecasters warned that Ernesto could hit the Florida Keys Tuesday and Tampa Bay area by Thursday. They added that even though the storm’s winds have decreased, Ernesto could strengthen as it moves north.