Govenor declares state of emergency due to weather

The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather alert for Georgia and North Florida. Currently, Marion County is under a wind advisory until 10 pm with wind gusts up to 45 or 55 mph.

It is anticipated that the weather squall will come through Marion County by 2 pm.

The public is encouraged to secure outdoor objects and use care while driving.

Gov.Ron DeSantis issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in anticipation of possible tornado touchdowns. At least one tornado has already been reported in the Florida panhandle due to the weather system.

The emergency order is for the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Seminole, Sumter, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington counties.

Local Emergency Management officials encouarge all Marion County citizens to sign up for the emergency notification system, Alert Marion.  Citizens can sign up for text message alerts, emails, and phone calls for severe weather at www.alertmarion.com.