Governor Declares State of Emergency for Idalia
Even before Idalia reached tropical storm status, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 23-171 declaring a state of emergency for 33 Florida counties. Counties subject to the declaration encompass a large portion of Florida’s Gulf coast, extending from Bay County (Panama City) to Sarasota County.
The declaration of emergency activates certain portions of the state’s storm mitigation and response efforts. Depending on the eventual impact of the storm, this can include enlisting the assistance of law enforcement and the National Guard and suspending certain statutes and rules or extending relevant deadlines.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has issued a reminder to Florida’s health insurers, HMO’s, pharmacy benefit managers and other health entities that the declaration of emergency allows individuals to obtain early prescription refills for residents of the counties subject to the declaration.