TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday declared a state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Milton, which became a named storm in the afternoon and is on a path to Florida in the coming days.

"As many continue to recover from Hurricane Helene, I have directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Transportation to coordinate all available personnel and resources to supplement local communities as they expedite debris removal in impacted areas," he said. "We will continue staging state assets to prepare for efficient search and rescue, power restoration, and roadway clearing."

Saturday's announcement covered 35 counties. On Sunday, the number of counties under a state of emergency was increased to 51.

You can read the full announcement by clicking here.

The counties affected are: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union, and Volusia.

The governor's declaration authorizes him to make resources immediately available to rescue, evacuate, shelter and provide essential commodities.

It may also position the state to seek federal assistance because of the weather.