Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 61 counties in Florida as Tropical Storm Debby intensifies and is expected to become a hurricane before making landfall near Tallahassee.

The storm is anticipated to bring a storm surge of 2 to 4 feet along the Gulf Coast, with a storm tide potentially reaching up to 7 feet in the Big Bend region, creating life-threatening inundation risks.

Tropical storm warnings and watches have been issued for various locations, including the Florida Keys and parts of Georgia and South Carolina.

In preparation for the storm, the state has deployed over 100 bridge inspectors and made more than 1,000 generators and 70,000 water pumps available for response efforts.

Three shelters will open at 5 PM on Sunday to accommodate evacuees, including Lavilla Middle School, Legends Center, and Landmark Middle School.

Transportation will be provided for residents in flood-prone areas to reach these shelters.

Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil has advised residents to stay off the streets after the storm to facilitate safe electric-repair and road-clearing operations.

As of this morning, Tampa International Airport has reported significant disruptions, with 106 canceled flights and 138 delays due to the storm.

Residents are reminded to dispose of any refrigerated food that has been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours after power restoration.

The situation is ongoing, and updates will be provided through local news outlets and emergency services as more information becomes available.

Residents are urged to assess their properties, clean drains and gutters, and remove debris that could clog storm drainage systems to prevent water overflow and potential damage.