HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise has signed an executive order on Saturday extending a state of local emergency underauthority granted by the County’s Emergency Management Ordinance and Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, according to county officials.

The original order went into effect on Sept. 24 as what eventually became Hurricane Ian approached Florida and was extended on Oct. 1, officials said, adding that Saturday’s second extension is in effect through Oct. 14.

A state of local emergency can be in effect for only seven days, unless rescinded or extended, officials said.

Hillsborough County officials said that this emergency declaration will allow the county administrator and emergency managers to quickly take certain actions to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the community, and provide a path for federal reimbursement of certain expenses.