The City of New Port Richey has already begun to encounter emergency weather conditions, and a threat exists to the life, health, property, and the welfare or the public and the residents of the City of New Port Richey. Tropical Storm Hermine poses a severe threat to the City of New Port Richey and may cause extensive  damage to public utilities, public buildings, public streets and roads, public drainage systems, and commercial and residential buildings and areas. It is also possible that Tropical Storm Hermine may further strengthen to hurricane status and this tropical storm/hurricane requires that timely precautions are taken to protect the City, its critical infrastructure, and the general welfare of its residents.  Therefore, it is in the best interest of the City and our residents for Council to declare a local state of emergency effective immediately.