Florida Tornado Emergency Declaration Renewal

FL Governor Executive Orders

Published February 20th, 2026

Detected February 21st, 2026

Summary

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has renewed the state of emergency for North Florida due to tornado damage. Executive Order 26-34 extends Executive Order 24-94 for sixty days, continuing state support for recovery efforts in affected counties.

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What changed

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued Executive Order 26-34, renewing the state of emergency declared for North Florida due to tornadoes and severe weather. This order extends Executive Order 24-94, as amended, for an additional sixty days from the issuance date of February 20, 2026. The renewal is necessary to continue state support for recovery efforts in the twelve counties initially affected and three subsequently added.

This renewal ensures that state resources and support mechanisms remain available to assist in the ongoing recovery from the May 2024 tornado event. While no new obligations are imposed on regulated entities, government agencies within Florida will continue to operate under the provisions of the extended emergency declaration, facilitating disaster relief and recovery operations. The order is effective immediately upon issuance.

Source document (simplified)

STATE O F FL O RI D A OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 26-34 (Emergency Management - Extension of Executive Order 24-94 -May North Florida Tornadoes) WHEREAS, on May 10, 2024, I issued Executive Order 24-94, declaring a state of emergency for twelve counties across North Florida due to the dangers presented by an intense thunderstorm that caused numerous tornadoes and strong wind gusts across North Florida; and WHEREAS, on May 13, 2024, I issued Executive Order 24-95, which amended Executive Order 24-94, by adding three counties to the state of emergency; and WHEREAS, the affected areas are still recovering from the tremendous damage caused by the severe weather and tornadoes; and WHEREAS, Executive Order 24-94, as amended and subsequently extended by Executive Order 25-256, expires on February 20, 2026, unless extended; and WHEREAS, an extension of Executive Order 24-94 is necessary because recovery efforts and those affected by this disaster require the continued support of the State of Florida. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section l(a) of the Florida Constitution and by the Florida Emergency Management Act, as amended, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order to take immediate effect: Section I. The state of emergency and all provisions of Executive Order 24-94, as amended by Executive Order 24-95, are renewed for sixty (60) days following the date of this Executive Order. 1

Section 2. Except as amended herein, Executive Orders 24-94 and 24-95 are ratified and reaffirmed. Section 3. This Executive Order is effective immediately. ATTEST: IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, this 20th day of February, 2026. J).'...,... ~... -q:-.; r-1~.. -·l 2