DeSantis Cancels Campaign Appearance as Tropical Storm Heads Towards Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference in Tallahassee today to give an update after ordering preparations for Tropical Storm Idalia. The storm is currently making its way up the Gulf of Mexico toward the Florida panhandle.

"It will become a Hurricane by late Tuesday afternoon," said DeSantis. "Landfall is currently expected along the Big Ben region on Wednesday and it could arrive at the state of Florida as strong as a category 2 hurricane."

DeSantis urged Floridians along the Gulf Coast to be vigilant even if they are outside the cone since storms have been known to wobble.

"Our Emergency Operation Center here in Tallahassee will go to a Level One, 24 hour around the clock starting at zero seven hundred tomorrow," said DeSantis. "Please heed the warnings of your local officials."

Yesterday, Gov. DeSantis issued Executive Order 23-171, declaring a state of emergency for 33 counties in anticipation of impacts from Idalia. This executive order allows state officials to make critical resources available to areas that may be impacted by the storm.

"If this hits the Tallahassee region, there are a lot of trees that are going to get knocked down. The power lines are going to get knocked down. That is just going to happen. So just be prepared for that and do what you need to do," said DeSantis.

DeSantis's Presidential Campaign Press Secretary Bryan Griffin said the Governor will remain in the State and canceled a campaign appearance in Iowa.

"In light of the approaching hurricane, the Governor will be staying in Florida on Monday to assist with preparations," posted Griffin. "First Lady Casey DeSantis will be attending Congressman Jeff Duncan's Faith and Freedom BBQ in place of the Governor."

DeSantis urged people who are elderly or with medical conditions or are power dependent to go to a shelter in preparation for power outages.

"If you are power dependent. If you have medical needs please plan on going to a shelter," said DeSantis. "That would be a good decision. Because the chance of you losing power if a Category 2 Hurricane hits is very high."

DeSantis said counties should be announcing shelter locations in the next day or two.

"Medically dependent Floridians & those with access & functional needs can receive extra assistance during a disaster," the Florida Department of Emergency Management posted. "Register now to provide critical info to your local first responders ahead of any potential impacts from Tropical Storm #Idalia - http://FloridaDisaster.org/SNR"

"Floridians should remain vigilant and monitor Tropical Storm #Idalia. To prepare for the storm, visit http://floridadisaster.org/getaplan. For more updates and information follow @FLSERT," posted Lt. Governor Jeanette Nunez.

"In terms of resources, we have mobilized 1100 National Guardsmen and they have at their disposal 2400 high water vehicles as well as 12 aircraft that can be used for rescue and recovery efforts," said DeSantis.

DeSantis says there will be linemen ready to go and asked municipalities to accept the mutual aid early to get power back on as quickly as possible.

"The power companies are going to start pre-staging linemen starting on Monday," said DeSantis. "These resources are going to be there. We are going to have power outages so we want to get the power back on for Floridians as quickly as possible."

Director of Emergency Management Kevin Guthrie said the Florida Department of Emergency Management is prepared for the impacts of Idalia.

"State Emergency Response Team is here in the EOC working tirelessly to be prepared for any direction this storm may take," said Guthrie.