DeSantis issues state of emergency in 15 counties ahead of Elsa

SURFSIDE, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency that will be in place for 15 Florida counties ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa.

Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties are all under the state of emergency, the governor said during a morning news conference in Surfside. Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Levy, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota are also under the order.

Elsa was downgraded to a tropical storm in the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. advisory. Governor DeSantis said officials are expecting the storm to begin impacting the Keys and South Florida as early as Monday.

An official with the National Weather Service aid during the news conference that Tropical Storm Elsa still needs to be watched closely.

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