TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (WSVN) - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in parts of the state as Tropical Storm Eta churns in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to head closer to South Florida.

In a statement issued Saturday afternoon, Fredrick Piccolo Jr., De Santis’ Director of Communications, confirmed the governor issued Executive Order 20-277, declaring a state of emergency in the following counties “out of an abundance of caution”:

  • Broward
  • Collier
  • Hendry
  • Lee
  • Martin
  • Miami-Dade
  • Monroe
  • Palm Beach

As of 4 p.m., Tropical Storm Eta was located about 230 miles west-southwest of Camaguey, Cuba and was moving northeast at 17 mph with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph.

In South Florida, a Hurricane Watch has been issued extending from the Keys to Deerfield Beach. Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties remain under a Tropical Storm Warning.

To read DeSantis’ full executive order, click here.

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