Florida News That Impacts You – September 30th, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- 17 Florida counties along Florida’s Gulf Coast and in northern Florida where Hurricane Helene traveled have been declared major disaster areas by President Biden. The federal declaration makes federal funds available for housing, repairs and related FEMA assistance programs.
- Following the successful rescue efforts within Hurricane Helene impacted areas in Florida, on Sunday Governor DeSantis enacted Operation Blue Ridge. The operation consists of sending Florida Division of Emergency Management resources, the Florida State Guard, Florida National Guard, FDLE, Florida Fish and Wildlife and Florida Department of Transportation teams into the hardest hit communities in the Blue Ridge mountains – primary Western North Carolina where many Floridians maintain part-time residences.
- Over 1.1 million ballots for November's Presidential election cycle have been sent out to voters statewide as requests for vote-by-mail ballots have increased significantly in recent days. 3,227 ballots have been returned to election supervisors thus far.
- It’ll be sunny and hot today with highs near 90. Temperatures will be about 5 degrees warmer than usual for this date. The National Hurricane Center is tracking five systems. A disturbance in the Caribbean Sea has a 50% chance of developing over the next week as it’s expected to make its way toward the western Gulf of Mexico. Tropical Storm Isaac continues through the northern Atlantic and isn’t a threat to populated areas nor is Tropical Depression Joyce in the mid-Atlantic. Tropical Depression Twelve is projected to become a major hurricane in the central Atlantic, however it’s also not likely to impact populated areas. Another disturbance is forming off the coast of Africa and has a 60% chance of developing.
- Gas prices are seven cents higher than a week ago. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.17 per gallon. In Palm Beach County the average price is $3.33 per gallon, in Martin the average is $3.20 and in Indian River County the average is $3.17 per gallon.