It’s officially hurricane season, and you know what that means.

We try to stay up to date on potential tropical storms and hurricanes headed toward Florida. We’ve been at Disney World during several hurricanes, and we’ve told you how to prepare for hurricane season at the resort. Well, now we’ve got a tropical storm to keep an eye on, and so far, 33 Florida counties are now under a state of emergency due to the weather.

UPDATE: Idalia has strengthened to a hurricane, and now 49 counties are under a state of emergency (as of August 29th at 12PM EST). Here is the updated list according to ClickOrlando:

• Alachua County
• Baker County
• Bay County
• Bradford County
• Brevard County
• Calhoun County
• Charlotte County
• Citrus County
• Clay County
• Collier County
• Columbia County
• DeSoto County
• Dixie County
• Duval County
• Flagler County
• Franklin County
• Gadsden County
• Gilchrist County
• Gulf County
• Hamilton County
• Hardee County
• Hernando County
• Hillsborough County
• Jefferson County
• Lafayette County
• Lake County
• Lee County
• Leon County
• Levy County
• Liberty County
• Madison County
• Manatee County
• Marion County
• Nassau County
• Orange County
• Osceola County
• Pasco County
• Pinellas County
• Polk County
• Putnam County
• Sarasota County
• Seminole County
• St. Johns County
• Sumter County
• Suwannee County
• Taylor County
• Union County
• Volusia County
• Wakulla County

Note that both Orange and Osceola counties are included, which is where Disney World is located.

As of 10AM on August 27th, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been tracking a storm that just strengthened into a Tropical Storm. This storm is named Idalia, and the NOAA recommends that those in Florida stay updated on it. This tropical storm could result in storm surges and hurricane watches in the state.

10AM CDT 27 Aug: @NOAA_HurrHunter data shows TD-10 has strengthened to Tropical Storm #Idalia Interests in Florida need to stay up to date with the latest at https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ Storm Surge and hurricane watches may be need later today. Have your hurricane plan in place! pic.twitter.com/qySzomqYWh

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 27, 2023

UPDATE: As of 5PM EST on August 27th, the National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Watch for the west coast of Florida from Tampa to the Florida Panhandle. Residents are advised to monitor the forecast and follow the advice of local officials. 

UPDATE: As of the Monday, August 28th, 4AM CT advisory, Idalia is forecast to become a major hurricane before reaching Florida’s Gulf Coast. Storm surge and hurricane watches are in effect for parts of the West Coast.

Ahead of the tropical storm’s arrival in the U.S., Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency for 33 counties in the state in preparation for the tropical storm. This is to give those communities time to prepare when it arrives next week.

I’ve signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency for 33 counties in preparation for Invest 93L. Issuing this order today ensures communities have time to prepare for the storm system which could have impacts along the Gulf Coast next week.

Floridians should have a…

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 26, 2023

 

The following counties are currently under a state of emergency:

• Alachua
• Bay
• Calhoun
• Charlotte
• Citrus
• Columbia
• DeSoto
• Dixie
• Franklin
• Gadsden
• Gilchrist
• Gulf
• Hamilton
• Hardee
• Hernando

• Hillsborough
• Jefferson
• Lafayette
• Lee
• Leon
• Levy
• Liberty
• Madison
• Manatee
• Marion
• Pasco
• Pinellas
• Polk
• Sarasota
• Sumter
• Suwannee
• Taylor
• Wakulla

Note that neither Orange nor Osceola Counties, where Disney World resides, are affected yet, but it’s good to keep an eye out for more information anytime this kind of weather is headed toward the state. Storms can quickly change, so we always recommend checking the latest news about storms when they’re on their way.

We’ll also keep you updated on how this may or may not impact Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

How to Handle the Worst-Case Scenario During Hurricane Season at Disney World