By Tamas Mondovics
While on track up the spine of Florida, Tropical Storm Erika has prompted Governor Scott to declare a state of emergency earlier today, mobilizing agencies and urging residents to be prepared.
The declaration comes in the wake of Erika bringing heavy rain along with gusty winds from Puerto Rico to Hispaniola yesterday, while moving toward the southern Bahamas on her way to South Florida by this weekend.
According to officials, Erika remains a tropical storm and a very disjointed system, likely to weaken to a tropical depression as it crosses Hispaniola, but is expected to reorganize back into a tropical storm with the possible tracks range from the system slipping just to the west of Florida to right over Florida to curving to the east.
During a press conference today, Scott urged residents to be prepared and get ready for this storm system.
We hope for the best but prepare for the worst,” Scott said, adding that this storm must be taken seriously.
Scott assured that all agencies are now ready to respond especially as the state is expected to deal with Erika bringing heavy rain, which Scott said was the biggest concern at this time.
“We’ve got concerns all across the state now because it’s going to be coming clear across the state,” Scott said.
Erika has caused torrential rain and flooding on some of the northeastern islands of the Caribbean. On the island of Dominica, flooding and mudslides have led to catastrophic conditions.
Much depends on what Erika does today, as all eyes remain on the fifth named storm of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane season closing in on land.
Please see Governor Scott’s Declaration of State of Emergency in advance. Tropical Storm Erika: http://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/EO-15-173.pdf
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