Florida declares state of emergency over Subtropical Storm Alberto

Florida’s Gov. Rick Scott (R) declared a state of emergency Saturday over the impending landfall of Subtropical Storm Alberto.

According to a statement from the governor, the declaration covers all of the state’s 67 counties, which are expected to see torrential rain and flooding after the storm makes landfall this weekend.

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“As we continue to monitor Subtropical Storm Alberto’s northward path toward Florida, it is critically important that all Florida counties have every available resource to keep families safe and prepare for the torrential rain and severe flooding this storm will bring,” Scott said in the statement.

“If any Florida family doesn’t have an emergency preparedness plan, now is the time to act. Remember, the track of these storms can change without notice. Do not think that only areas in the cone will be impacted – everyone in our state must be prepared,” he added.

Alberto is the first major storm of the 2018 hurricane season, which runs through the fall and often brings heavy storm damage to the Gulf Coast and southeastern United States.

Major storms last year including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria caused major damage in Florida, Texas, and Louisiana last year. Months after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, many parts of the U.S. territory are still without power.