Florida Declares State Of Emergency As Tropical Storm Erika Approaches

Fox Business ^ | August 28, 2015 | Claudia Assis

[Jed Eckert]

Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared state of emergency Friday ahead of Tropical Storm Erika, currently drenching the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and headed for the Dominican Republic. Erika, moving to the west-northwest at 17 miles per hour, is expected to gradually turn north as it approaches Florida Sunday evening,.....

[Jed Eckert]

Didn't see this posted yet. Heads up fellow Floridians.

[RetSignman]

Is Jebbie on the way to save the day?

[sheikdetailfeather]

The local Orlando channel WFTV just said the TRENDS are toward the WEST even though presently, the line is going directly up the center of the state at this time. Rick Scott is most concerned about the Tampa area flooding.

[sten]

state of emergency for a tropical storm??

did they do it to get the associated federal funds??

[RayChuang88]

The issue isn’t the wind, since the storm will be down to tropical storm speeds (or less) by the time it makes landfall in Florida. The big issue is the very heavy rain, which would cause a lot of flooding problems, especially right through central Florida. I would not be surprised that all the theme parks in the Orlando area are shut down by the middle of next week.

[sarasota]

It’s supposed to become a hurricane as it approaches Florida over open waters.

[who knows what evil?]

They need the rain.

[Churchillspirit]

It has been 10 years since Florida experienced a hurricane.

Hope recent arrivals know what to expect and are prepared.

Prayers up for all in Erika's path.

[Old Sarge]

AW HELL NO!

[rfreedom4u]

I’m watching to see if it will shoot the gap between Cuba and Florida. If so we can worry a little here in Houston. I myself am not worried because my family is ready. But I’ll need to pop some corn to watch the rest of the city freak out.

[VerySadAmerican]

Everyone in Texas who is about to close on a home better get their insurance now. Once a hurricane is in the Gulf they won’t write any new policies until after the storm is finished doing it’s damage.

[Moonman62]

state of emergency for a tropical storm??

...

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

[Kartographer]

You should have seen that coming! Never let a crisis go to waste!

[Impala64ssa]

Just heard it on Bay News 9 in Tampa. Still too early to tell what path in FL this thing will take.

[LonePalm]

Time to cue up the video of Jimmy Buffett's "Surfing in a Hurricane".

"Ceterum censeo 0bama esse delendam."

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[American Quilter]

state of emergency for a tropical storm??

I think all the 10th-anniversary documentaries on Katrina have something to do with it.

[sten]

not according to the latest model forecast... tho i'd prefer the track to go more easterly. don't need water pushed up into tampa bay

[Impala64ssa]

The big issue is the very heavy rain
Yup, more rain. Just what they need around New Pt Richey and parts of Herando and Citrus Counties, especially near the Withlahoochie Riv.

[ilovesarah2012]

Not really. A lot of damage is caused by flooding.

[Methos8]

Yes, a “ridiculous” state of emergency for a tropical storm. If you were actually educated as to what is going on, the worries are all about flooding. Yeah 70 mph winds or whatever can do some damage too, and there’s always tornado risks with these tropical systems. But it’s all about the rain.

Go google Tampa flooding, or read this:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/weather/hurricanes/water-logged-tampa-bay-braces-for-tropical-storm-erika-more-flooding/2243184

Everything around here (I’m in Tampa) is already REALLY saturated. I’m fine but there are low-lying areas that are going to be in a lot of trouble if this thing brings 10+ inches of rain.