INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency applying to all counties in Florida on Friday morning around 8 a.m., as Tropical Storm Erika makes its way through the Caribbean toward the southern tip of the state.
Forecasters in Miami predict the storm will land in Florida on Aug. 30 and continue traveling up the “spine” of the state through Sept. 2, according to Scott’s official statement.
In his state of emergency executive order, Scott gives regional and county governments wiggle room on standard regulations in areas of budgeting, purchasing and more to accommodate communities in distress.
The Florida National Guard has been activated and employees certified by the American Red Cross have been cleared for service across the state.
In addition, tolls and fees can be waived for emergency vehicles or evacuation purposes, and pharmacists are permitted to dispense “up to a 30-day emergency prescription refill” of necessary medications.
Scott called Erika “a severe threat to the entire State of Florida” and is encouraging all residences to take necessary precautions to protect themselves against the storm.
As of Friday morning, the storm was reported to have maximum sustained winds of 50 mpg.