Florida Renews Emergency Declaration for Hurricane Helene

FL Governor Executive Orders

Published March 6th, 2026

Detected March 10th, 2026

Summary

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has renewed the state of emergency declaration for Hurricane Helene for an additional 60 days. This renewal extends Executive Order 24-208, which was initially issued in September 2024 and has been previously extended. The order aims to support ongoing recovery efforts in affected areas.

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What changed

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has issued Executive Order 26-58, renewing the state of emergency declaration related to Hurricane Helene for an additional 60 days, effective March 6, 2026. This renewal extends Executive Order 24-208, which was originally declared in September 2024 due to coastal flooding, heavy rainfall, and storm surge. The order acknowledges that while disruptions from the International Longshoremen's Association strike have ceased, recovery efforts are still ongoing and require continued state support.

This executive order means that the emergency management provisions and state support mechanisms established under Executive Order 24-208 remain in effect for the specified 60-day period. While the specific amendments related to the ILA strike (Executive Order 24-213) are now moot and not extended, the core emergency declaration is reaffirmed. Affected areas and state agencies should continue to operate under the framework of the renewed emergency declaration, which may involve expedited procurement, resource allocation, and other measures typically associated with a state of emergency. No specific compliance actions are mandated for regulated entities beyond adhering to any directives issued under the emergency powers.

What to do next

Continue to monitor state directives related to the renewed emergency declaration for Hurricane Helene.
Ensure all relevant state and local agencies are aware of and adhering to the extended emergency management provisions.

Source document (simplified)

STATE OF FLORIDA. . ' . • ... . . ·, .. ... . ·OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 26-58 (Emergency ManageJ":ent...:. Extension of Executive Order24-208 -Hurricane Helene) WHEREAS, on September 23, 2024; 1 issued Executive Order 24-208, declaring a state of emergency for forty-one counties across the State of Florida due to coastal flooding, erosion, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, strong winds, and severe storm surge caused by Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine; and WHEREAS, on September 24, 2024, I issued Executive Order 24-209, extending the state of emergency to sixty-one counties across the State of Florida due to the dangers presented by Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine; arid WHEREAS, on October 3, 2024, I issued Executive Order 24,-213, which amended Executive Order • 24-208, to address . disruptions in coii1merce caused by the International Longshoremen's Associatiol). strike, and to reclassify Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine as Hurricane Helene; and WHEREAS, presently there are no disruptions in state commerce and the International Longshoremen's Associ<;1.tion strike has since ceased; and WHEREAS, the affected areas are still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene; and WHEREAS; Executive Order 24-208, as amended and subsequently extended by Executive Order 26-02, expires on March 7, 2026, unless extended; and WHEREAS, an extension of Executive • Order 24-208 is necessary because recovery efforts and those affected by this disaster require the continued support of the State of Flor.ida.

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 1. The state of emergency and all provisions of Executive Order 24-208, as amended, are renewed for sixty (60) days following the date of this Executive Order. Section 2. This Executive Order will not extend the amendments and accommodations made by Executive Order 24-213, which are now.moot. Section 3. Except as amended herein, Executive Orders 24-208 and 24-209 are ratified and reaffirmed. Section 4. This Executive Order is effective immediately. 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 6th day of March, 2026. ' :x &".. en -.J