Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) on Sunday activated an emergency response to the new hurricane threat from Tropical Storm Michael.
Tropical Storm Michael, the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, is likely to hit the northern Gulf Coast this week, according to The Washington Post.
{mosads}It is expected to become a hurricane as it barrels towards the Florida Panhandle, NBC Miami reported.
Scott on Sunday announced he will issue an executive order declaring a state of emergency for counties in Florida that could be hit.
“By declaring this state of emergency, Governor Scott is ensuring that state and local government has ample time, resources and flexibility to get prepared for this storm,” the announcement from the governor’s office reads.
Florida is predicted to be the main target of the possible hurricane, but certain parts of Alabama and Mississippi could also feel the effects, the Post reported.
“With the National Hurricane Center forecasting Tropical Depression 14 to strengthen and impact Florida’s Panhandle as a hurricane, families need to get prepared,” Scott said.
“If any Florida family doesn’t have an emergency preparedness plan, now is the time to act,” he added. “Floridians also know just how quickly the path of a storm can change and that’s why we all must be vigilant and get prepared today.”
Tropical Storm Michael is also expected to hit western Cuba, Belize and northern Honduras this week.
The storm could result in significant rainfall in some areas in the Carolinas recently hit by by Hurricane Florence, according to the Post.
“Michael is expected to affect portions of the Florida Gulf Coast that are especially vulnerable to storm surge, regardless of the storm’s exact track or intensity,” the Hurricane Center said in a statement.