The request is for City Council to approve a resolution to declare a local state of emergency in anticipation of the impacts associated with Tropical Storm/Hurricane Milton.

On October 4, 2024, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued an advisory for Tropical Storm Milton which has formed in the western Gulf of Mexico. The NWS computer models are in better agreement that the system will move into the eastern Gulf of Mexico where it will strengthen into Hurricane Milton. On October 5, 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order No. 24-214 which declared a state of emergency in 35 Florida counties, including Pasco County, ahead of the storm. Although it is too early to know the certain path of the potential storm, it is out of an abundance of caution that the City issue a local state of emergency in preparation of any impacts to our area as a result of the strengthening system. The local state of emergency will go into effect as of 12:01 a.m. on October 8, 2024 and will remain in effect for seven days.