Americas

Americas

U.S. state of Florida declares emergency due to Tropical Storm Debby

26 June 2012 01:14 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. U.S. state of Florida Governor Rick Scott on Monday issued an executive order declaring a statewide emergency because of Tropical Storm Debby, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

The governor said Tropical Storm Debby poses a severe threat to the state of Florida and requires timely precautions to protect the communities and infrastructure.

At a news conference at the state Emergency Operation Center in Tallahassee, Scott advised Floridians to pay close attention to weather reports and stay away from downed power lines, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Bryan Koon, the state’s chief of emergency management said about 25 to 50 cm of rain in parts of the state could lead to some fairly severe flooding and estimated 35,000 people were without electricity due to power outages.

The National Hurricane Center said Debby is located 145 km south-southwest of Apalachicola, Florida, and has maximum sustained winds of about 80 km per hour.

Little change in strength is expected, and deteriorating coastal conditions are likely throughout the day, said the state’s Division of Emergency Management.