Florida News That Impacts You – October 1st, 2024, 2024
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Only 70,000 Floridians are still without power as restoration and recovery efforts continue following the landfall of Hurricane Helene. Over 2.33 million customers have had power restored in the state. Governor DeSantis announced that the state has engaged in over 2,300 missions to assist Floridians in need with 13 rescues having taken place.
- Today Florida’s Unauthorized Public Camping and Public Sleeping law takes effect. The law bans camping or sleeping in public spaces that haven’t been designated for that purpose by communities under Florida law. Under the law, local governments must provide for access to basic sanitary resources and provide security for any encampments. In advance of the new law signs have begun to go up in parks with a message telling those in need of assistance to call 1-833-442-9455.
- Over 1.6 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. 3,244 ballots have been returned to election supervisors thus far.
- It’ll be sunny and hot today with highs in the upper 80’s. Temperatures will be about 5 degrees warmer than usual for this date. The National Hurricane Center is tracking three systems. A disturbance in the Caribbean Sea has a 40% chance of developing over the next week (lower than yesterday) as it’s expected to make its way toward the western Gulf of Mexico. Tropical Storm Kirk is projected to become a major hurricane in the central Atlantic, however it’s not likely to impact populated areas. Another disturbance is forming off the coast of Africa and has a 90% chance of developing.
- Gas prices dropped a penny on Monday. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.16 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.