STATE OF FLORIDA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

WHEREAS, an area of low pressure moving across the Gulf of America, interacting with

Arctic air, will bring widespread.impactful winter weather to North Florida beginning Tuesday,

January 21, 2025; and

WHEREAS," Winter Storm Warnings have been issued for the western Florida Panhandle,

with additional extensions eastward along the I-10 corridor this afternoon and evening; and

WHEREAS, all modes of hazardous winter weather will be likely, including snow, sleet,

and freezing rain; and

WHEREAS, snowfall totals of one to three inches are forecast for the Florida Panhandle,

with locally higher amounts upwards of three to four inches possible for loc.ations that experience

periods of heavy snowfall rates; and

WHEREAS, ice accretions from the eastern Florida Panhandle through the Suwannee

River Valley are forecast to reach one-tenth (0.1) to one-quarter (0.25) inch, and isolated higher

ice accretions cannot be ruled out for interior North Florida locations; and

WHEREAS, ice accumulation from freezing rain is the most impactful winter hazard, and

significant impacts to roadways, bridges, trees, and powerlines are possible; and

WHEREAS, hazardous driving conditions will exist Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday,

especially over bridges, overpasses, and elevated surfaces, leading to possible roadway and bridge

closures across North Florida; and

temperatures are expected for North and North-Central Florida for the next several days; and

WHEREAS, the threat posed by this winter weather system requires that timely

precautions are taken to protect the communities, critical infrastructure, and general welfare of

Florida; and

WHEREAS, as Governor, I am responsible to meet the dangers presented to Florida and

its people by this emergency.

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. Because of the foregoing conditions, which are projected to constitute a major

disaster, I declare that a state of emergency exists in the State of Florida.

Section 2. I designate the Director of the Division of Emergency Management

('1Director") as the State Coordinating Officer for the duration of this emergency and direct him to

execute the State's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan· and other response, recovery,

and mitigation plans necessary to cope with the emergency. Pursuant to section 252.36(1)(a),

Florida Statutes, I delegate to the State Coordinating Officer the authority to exercise those powers

delineated in sections 252.36(6)-(12), Florida Statutes, which he shall exercise as needed to meet

this emergency, subject to the limitations of section 252.33, Florida Statutes. In exercising the

powers delegated by this Executive Order, the State Coordinating Officer shall confer .:with the

Governor to the. fullest extent practicable; The State Coordinating Officer shall also have the

authority to:

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 A. Invoke and administer the Emergency Management Assistance Compact

("EMAC") (sections 252.921-252.9335, Florida Statutes) and other compacts and agreements

existing between the State of Florida and other states, and the further authority to coordinate the

allocation of resources from such other states that are made available to Florida under such

compacts and agreements so as to best meet this emergeqcy.

B. Seek direct assistance and enter into agreements with any and all agencies of

the federal government as may be needed to meet this emergency.

C. Direct all state, regional, and local governmental agencies, including law

enforcement agencies, to identify personnel needed from those agencies to assist in meeting the

response, recovery, and mitigation needs created by this emergency, and to place all such personnel

under the direct command and coordination of the State Coordinating Officer to meet this

emergency.

D. Direct the actions of any state agency as necessary to implement the Federal

Emergency Management Agency's National Disaster Recovery Framework.

E. Designate Deputy State Coordinating Officers and Deputy State Disaster

Recovery Coordinators, as necessary.

F. Suspend the effect of any statute, rule, or order that would in any way prevent,

hinder, or delay any mitigation, response, or recovery action necessary to cope with this

emergency. In accordance with section 252.3611(1), Florida Statutes, any such order, declaration,

or other action shall specify each statute or rule being amended or waived, if applicable, and the

expiration date for the order or action.

G. Enter orders as may be needed to implement any of the foregoing powers;

however, the requirements of sections 252.46 and 120.54(4), Florida Statutes, do not apply to any

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 such orders issued by the State Coordinating Officer. No such order shall remain in effect beyond

the expiration of this Executive Order,including any extension thereof.

Section 3. I order the Adjutant General to activate the Florida National Guard, as needed,

to deal with this emergency. I further order the Director of the Florida State Guard to activate the

Florida State Guard; as needed, to respond to this emergency.

Section 4. I find that the special duties and responsibilities resting upon some state,

regional, and local agencies and other governmental bodies in responding to this emergency may

require them to suspend or waive certain statutes, rules, ordinances, and orders they administer.

Therefore, I issue the following authorizations:

A. Pursuant to section 252.36(6)(a), Florida Statutes, the Executive Office of the

Governor may suspend all statutes and rules affecting budgeting to the extent necessary to provide

budget authority for state agencies to cope with this emergency. The requirements of sections

252.46 and 120.54(4), Florida Statutes, do not apply to any such suspension issued by the

Executive Office of the Governor; however, no such suspension shall remain in effect beyond the

expiration of this Executive Order, including any extension thereof.

B. Each state agency may suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute

prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business or the orders or rules of that agency, if

strict compliance with the provisions of any such statute, order, or rule would in any way prevent,

hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency. This includes, but is not limited

to, the authority to suspend any and all statutes, rules, ordinances, or orders which affect leasing,

printing; purchasing, travel, and the condition of employment andthe compensation of employees.

In accordance with section 252.3611(1), Florida Statutes, any agency order, declaration, or other

action suspending a statute or rule shall specify each statute or rule being amended or waived, if

applicable, and the expiration date for the order or action. The requirements of sections 252.46

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 and 120.54(4), Florida. Statutes, shall not apply to any such suspension issued by a state agency;

however, no such suspension shall remain in effect beyond the expiration of this Executive Order,

including any extension thereof.

C. In accordance with section 252.38(3), Florida Statutes, each political

subdivision within the State of Florida may waive the procedures and formalities otherwise

required of the political subdivision by law pertaining to:

1) Performance of public work and taking whatever .prudent action 1s

necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community;

2) Following local procurement and contracting policies;

3) Entering into contracts; however, political subdivisions are cautioned

against entering into time and materials contracts without a ceiling as defined by 2 CFR 200.3180)

or cost plus a percentage of cost contracts prohibited by 2 CFR 200.324(d);

4) Incurring obligat~ons;

5) Employment of permanent and temporary workers;

6) Utilization of volunteer workers;

7) Rental of equipment;

8) Acquisition and distribution, with or without compensation, of supplies,

materials, and facilities; and

9) Appropriation and expenditure of public funds.

D. All agencies whose employees are certified as disaster service volunteers within

the meaning of section 110.120(2)(d), Florida Statutes, may, in accordance with section

110.120(3), Florida Statutes, release any such employees for such service as requested by the

employee to meet this emergency.

E. The Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) may:

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 1) Waive the collection of tolls and other fees and charges for the use of the

Turnpike and other public highways, to the extent such waiver may be needed to provide

emergency assistance or facilitate the evacuation of the affected counties;

2) Manage the flow oftraffic or close any and all roads, highways, and portions

ofhighways as may be needed for the safe and efficient transportation ofevacuees to those counties

that the State Coordinating Officer may designate as destination counties for evacuees in this

emergency;

3) Suspend enforcement of the registration requirements pursuant to section

316.545(4), Florida Statutes, for commercial motor vehicles that enter Florida to provide

emergency services or supplies, to transport emergency equipment, supplies or personnel, or to

transport FEMA mobile homes ·or office style mobile homes into or from Florida;

4) Waive by special permit the warning signal requirements in the Utility

Ac~ommodations Manual to accommodate public utility companies from other jurisdictions which

render assistance in restoring vital services; and

5) Waive the size and weight restrictions for divisible loads on any vehicles

transporting emergency equipment, services, supplies, and agricultural commodities and citrus as

recommended by the Commissioner of Agriculture, allowing the establishment of alternate size

and weight restrictions for all such vehicles for the duration of the emergency. The DOT shall

issue permits and such vehicles shall be subject to such special conditions as the DOT may endorse

on any such permits.

Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to allow any vehicle to exceed weight

limits posted for bridges and like structures, or relieve any vehicle or the carrier, owner, or driver

of any vehicle from compliance with any restrictions other than those specified in this Executive

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 Order, or from any statute, rule, order, or other legal requirement not specifically waived or

suspended herein or by supplemental order by the State Coordinating Officer.

F. The Executive Director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor

Vehicles (DHS:MV) may:

1) Suspend enforcement of the registration requirements pursuant to sections

316.545(4) and 320.0715, Florida Statutes, for commercial motor vehicles that enter Florida to

provide emergency services or supplies, to transport emergency equipment, supplies or personnel,

or to transport FEMA mobile homes or office style mobile homes into or from Florida;

2) Waive the hours-of-service requirements for such vehicles;

3) Suspend the enforcement of the licensing and registration requirements

under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) pursuant to chapter 207, Florida Statutes, and

the International Registration Plan (IRP) pursuant to section 320.0715, Florida Statutes, for motor

carriers or drivers operating commercial motor vehicles that are properly registered in other

jurisdictions and that are participating in emergency relief efforts through the transportation of

equipment and supplies or providing other assistance in the form of emergency services;

4) Waive fees for duplicate or replacement vessel registration certificates,

vessel title certificates, vehicle license plates, vehicle registration certificates, vehicle tag

certificates, vehicle title certificates, handicapped parking permits, replacement drivers' licenses,

and replacement identification cards and to waive the additional fees for the late renewal of or

application for such licenses, certificates, and documents due to the effects of adverse weather

conditions; and

5) Defer administrative actions and waive fees imposed by law for the late
' '

renewal or application for the above licenses, certificates, and documents, which were delayed due

to the effects of adverse weather conditions, including in counties wherein the DHS:MV has closed

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offices, or any office of the County Tax Collector that acts on behalf of the DHSMV to process

renewals has closed offices due to adverse weathe'r conditions.

Recordkeeping and other applicable requirements for existing IFTA and IRP licensees and

registrants are not affected by this Executive Order. The DHSMV shall promptly notify the State

Coordinating Officer when the waiver is no longer necessary.

G. In accordance with section 465.0275(2), Florida Statutes, pharmacists may

dispense up to a 30-day emergency prescription refill of maintenance medication to persons who

reside in an area or county covered under this Executive Order and to emergency personnel who

have been activated by their state or local agency but who do not reside in an area or county covered

by this Executive Order. In accordance with section 465.019(4)(b), Florida Statutes, a hospital

that operates a Class II or Class III institutional pharmacy located in an area or county covered

under this Executive Order may prescribe and dispense a supply·of medicinal drug lasting up to

72 hours.

H. All state agencies responsible for the use of state buildings and facilities may

close such buildings and facilities in those portions of the State affected by this emergency, to the

extent necessary to meet this emergency. I direct each state agency to report the closure of any

State building or facility to the WebEOC system utilized by the Division of Emergency

Management Under ~he authority contained in section 252.36, Florida Statutes, I direct each

county to report the closure of any building or facility operated or maintained by the county or any

political subdivision on a daily basis to the WebEOC system. Furthermore, I direct the Secretary

of the Department of Management Services to:

1) Maintain an accurate and up-to-date list of all such closures; and

2) Provide that list daily to the State Coordinating Officer.

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 I. All State agencies may abrogate the time requirements, notice requirements,

and deadlines for final action on applications for permits, licenses, rates, and other approvals under

any statutes or rules under which such application are deemed to be approved unless disapproved

in writing by specified deadlines. All such time requirements that have not yet expired as of the

date of this Executive Order are suspended and tolled to the extent necessary to meet this

emergency.

J. All agencies shall implement Selected Exempt Services (SES) Extraordinary

Payment Plans and Career Service Regular Compensatory Leave Payment Plans for:

1) All essential agency personnel who are required to work extraordinary

hours when state-owned or state-operated facilities are closed in response to an emergency

condition. Employees who are eligible to receive extraordinary pay under the agency's activated

plan shall accrue special compensatory leave credits for work performed during facility closures

·up to the number of hours in the employee's established workday. For these employees, any

additional time worked beyond the employee's established workday during facility closures will

result in extraordinary pay;

2) All agency personnel who are assigned to the State Emergency Operations

Center and are required to work extraordinary hours; and

3) All agency personnel who are deployed throughout the state in response to

an emergency condition and are required to work extraordinary hours.

K. All State agencies may waive the forty-day time limit to issue a warrant

pursuant to section 215.422(3)(b), Florida Statutes. This waiver applies to invoices and

reimbursement requests arising from this emergency that were received, inspected, and approved

by the agency prior to the expiration ofthis Executive Order, including any extension thereof. This

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waiver of section 215.422(3)(b), Florida Statutes, and all waivers based upon this waiver shall

expire upon the expiration of this Executive Order, including any extension thereof.

L. The provisions ofsection 934.50, Florida Statutes, excluding subsection (4), are

waived for state and local agencies conducting emergency operations arising from the state of

emergency for the limited purpose of capturing aerial evidence concerning the amount of damage

sustained to private and public property; to assist in search, rescue, and recovery activities; and

prevent imminent danger to life or serious damage to property.

Section 5. All public fa~ilities, including elementary and secondary schools, community

colleges, state universities, and other facilities owned or leased by the state, regional or local

governments that are suitable for use as public shelters shall be made available at the request of

the local emergency management agencies to ensure the proper reception and care of all evacuees.

Under the authority contained in section 252.36, Florida Statutes, I direct the Superintendent of

each public-school district in the State of Florida to report the closure of any school within its

district to the Commission.er of the Florida Department of Education. Furthermore, I direct the

Commissioner of the Department of Education to:

A. Maintain an accurate and up-to-date list of all such closures; and

B. Provide that list daily to the State Coordinating Officer.

Section 6. I find that the demands placed upon funds specifically appropriated to state and

local agencies for disaster relief or response are unreasonably great and that such funds may be

inadequate to pay the costs of coping with this emergency. In accordance with section 252.37(2),

Florida Statutes, I direct that sufficient funds be made available, as needed, by transferring and

expending moneys from the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund.

Section 7. All state agencies entering emergency orders, emergency rules, or other

emergency actions in response to this emergency shall advise the State Coordinating Officer

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 contemporaneously or as soon as practicable thereafter, and, pursuant to section 252.36(3)(b),

Florida Statutes, shall submit the order or declaration to the Division of Administrative Hearings

within five days of issuance.

Section 8. Medical professionals and workers, social workers, and counselors with good

and valid professional licenses issued by states other than the State of Florida may render such

services in Florida during this emergency for persons affected by this emergency with the

condition that such services be rendered to such persons free of charge, and with the further

condition that such services be rendered under the auspices of the American Red Cross or the

Florida Department of Health.

Section 9. Pursuant to section 501.160, Florida Statutes, it is unlawful and a violation of

section 501.204, Florida Statutes, for a person to rent or sell or offer to rent or sell at an

unconscionable price within the area for which the state of emergency is declared, any essential

•commodity including, but not limited to, supplies, services, provisions, or equipment that is

necessary for consumption or use as a direct result of the emergency;

Section 10. Under the authority contained in sections 252.36(6)(a), (g), and (m), Florida

Statutes, I direct that, for the purposes of this emergency, the term "essentials", as defined by

section 252.359(2), Florida Statutes, shall be the same as and no more expansive than the term

"commodity", as defined by section 501.160(1)(a), Florida Statutes (hereinafter referred to

collectively or alternatively as "essential commodities"). Accordingly, any person who delivers

essential commodities to a location in the area(s) declared to be under a state of emergency by this

Executive Order, and when necessary to ensure that those commodities are made available to the

public, may travel within evacuated areas and exceed curfews, provided the State Coordinating

Officer determines, after consultation with the appropriate Emergency Support Function(s), that:

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 A. Law enforcement officials in the declared area(s) can provide adequate security

to protect the essential commodities from theft;

B. The weight of a delivery vehicle will not jeopardize the structural integrity of

any roadway or bridge located within the declared area;

C. Delivery vehicles will not negatively impact evacuation activities m the

declared area(s); and

D. Delivery vehicles will not negatively impact any response or recovery activities

occurring within the declared area(s).

After consulting with the appropriate Emergency Support Function(s), and after consulting

with local officials, the State Coordinating Officer may dictate the routes of ingress, egress, and

movement within the declared area(s) that drivers must follow when delivering essential

commodities.

Provided he or she is actually delivering medications, any person authorized to deliver

medications under chapter 893, Florida Statutes, qualifies as a person delivering essential

commodities.

In order to qualify as a person delivering essential commodities under this section, a person

must be in the process of delivering essential commodities only. If an individual is transporting

both essential and non-essential commodities, then this section shall not provide any authorization

for that individual to enter into or move within the declared area(s).

Section 11. Consistent with Executive Order 80-29, nothing in this Executive Order shall

prevent local jurisdictions in any area not declared to be under a state of emergency by this

Executive Order from taking prompt and necessary action to save lives and protect the property of

their citizens, including the authority to compel and direct timely evacuation when necessary.

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 Section 12. I authorize the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to distribute funds

pursuant to section 420.9073, Florida Statutes, to any county, municipality, or other political

subdivision located within the area(s) declared to be under a state of emergency by this Executive

Order. The authority of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to distribute funds in connection

with this emergency shall expire six months after the expiration of this Executive Order, including

any extension thereof.

Section 13. All actions taken by the Director of the Division of Emergency Management

with respect to this emergency before the issuance of this Executive Order are ratified.

Section 14. This Executive Order is effective immediately and shall expire sixty (60) days

from this date unless extended.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set

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