Gov. Rick Scott has added several counties from Tampa Bay to his declared State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Michael.
At the governor's direction, the State Emergency Operations Center activated to a Level 2 Sunday morning. The State Emergency Response Team has activated enhanced coordination among federal, state and local emergency management agencies.
The state of emergency now consists of 35 counties including — Citrus, Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee Counties.
Governor Scott says he is temporarily suspending tolls to make it easier for people to evacuate.
The declaration aims to provide state and local governments ample time, resources and the flexibility to prepare for Hurricane Michael.
BE PREPARED | ABC Action News Hurricane Center
RELATED: Scott declares state of emergency in Panhandle in preparation of Tropical Storm Michael
The pre-landfall declaration request is for 35 Florida counties – Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Columbia, Hamilton, Suwanee, Lafayette, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Citrus, Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Alachua, Union, Bradford and Baker Counties .The pre-landfall declaration request is for 35 Florida counties – Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Columbia, Hamilton, Suwanee, Lafayette, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Citrus, Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Alachua, Union, Bradford and Baker Counties.
