Pinellas, Hernando among 11 Florida counties DeSantis adds to storm order

With Tropical Storm Nicole expected to make landfall Wednesday night on the East Coast as a hurricane and then move through Central Florida and North Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded a state of emergency to 11 additional counties.

DeSantis on Monday issued an executive order declaring an emergency in 34 counties. The 11 added Wednesday were Alachua, Bradford, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hernando, Jefferson, Levy, Marion, Pinellas, Taylor and Wakulla counties. The 34 in the initial order were Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia counties.

A hurricane warning was in effect Wednesday from Boca Raton to the border of Volusia and Flagler counties. Also on the East Coast, a tropical-storm warning was in effect from Hallandale Beach to Boca Raton and from the Volusia-Flagler border north to South Carolina. On the Gulf Coast, a tropical-storm warning was in effect from Bonita Beach in Southwest Florida to Indian Pass in the Panhandle and for Lake Okeechobee.

• • •

2022 Tampa Bay Times Hurricane Guide

IT'S STORM SEASON: Get ready and stay informed at tampabay.com/hurricane.

FORECAST: The ‘cone of uncertainty’ can be confusing. Here’s how to read it.

MODELS: How reliable are hurricane models? Hurricane Ian gave us some answers.

EVACUATIONS: Fewer evacuated to shelters during Hurricane Ian. How can Tampa Bay stay safe?

WHAT TO EXPECT IN A SHELTER: What to bring — and not bring — plus information on pets, keeping it civil and more.

WHAT TO DO IF HURRICANE DAMAGES YOUR HOME: Stay calm, then call your insurance company.

PREPARING FOR A HURRICANE: Make a plan, listen to experts, and know there’s help available if you need it.

DOUBLE-CHECK: Checklists for building all kinds of hurricane kits

PHONE IT IN: Use your smartphone to protect your data, documents and photos.

SELF-CARE: Protect your mental health during a hurricane.

• • •

Rising Threat: A special report on flood risk and climate change

PART 1: The Tampa Bay Times partnered with the National Hurricane Center for a revealing look at future storms.

PART 2: Even weak hurricanes can cause huge storm surges. Experts say people don't understand the risk.

PART 3: Tampa Bay has huge flood risk. What should we do about it?

INTERACTIVE MAP: Search your Tampa Bay neighborhood to see the hurricane flood risk.