Local State of Emergency Declared in Preparation of Isaias' Arrival

A Local State of Emergency has been declared for Brevard County today (Friday, July 31) in response to the pending threat of Hurricane Isaias, which is slowly edging toward Florida with a projected impact along the east coast starting Saturday morning through late Sunday evening as a Category 1 hurricane.

Brevard County is currently under a hurricane watch. The latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center projects the center of Isaias just off the coast, but Brevard County could still see 3-5 inches of rain and winds and wind gusts between 40 and 70 mph. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency just before before noon today. A local state of emergency is declared in advance of a potential disaster event and enables government entities to readily seek response or recovery assistance from the state. The emergency declaration will be signed by Brevard County Commission Vice-Chair Rita Pritchett, who is the appointed chair of the Policy Group, which consists of local, county, and state officials and is activated for emergencies. An emergency declaration provides avenue for counties to expedite contractual procedures, rental of equipment, employment of permanent and temporary workers, acquisition of supplies, materials and facilities and appropriation and expenditure of public funds.