Tropical Storm Erika Kills At Least 20 in Caribbean, Florida Governor Declares Emergency

[Little Tich]

Source: NBC News

The governor of Florida declared a state of emergency Friday ahead of Tropical Storm Erika, which has killed at least 20 people as it rakes the Caribbean.

Gov. Rick Scott said the storm constitutes a "severe threat." It is forecast to hit Florida on Monday, but it's not clear how strong the storm will be.

"We've got concerns all across the state now because it's going to be coming clear across the state," Scott told reporters. He spoke soon after forecasters said the was likely to strike the southern tip of Florida before traveling north of Tampa.

Erika may not be a tropical storm by then. The National Hurricane Center said in a 5 p.m. Friday forecast that it is expected to weaken over the next 48 hours, and could be downgraded to a tropical depression by Saturday.

Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/tropical-storm-erika-kills-least-dozen-caribbean-n417611

[PennyK]

1. Let's just hope we don't get much

Since I moved to Florida, six years ago (I'm in the Space Coast area), there hasn't been one bad storm. We do have some emergency supplies, but if the forecast does ramp up, we'll do our best to be prepared.

[Lorien]

2. My neighborhood got trashed by Charley in 2004

I really hope that we don't get clobbered in Central Florida again. We only started to look "fully recovered" a couple of years ago.

[freshwest]

3. The storm track is straight up the state of Florida, from the Keys to the panhandle in the pic I saw

and it's not giving up. Be careful and if you aren't high up, I'd consider going north if possible. Report also said FL declared in a state of emergency until Erika leaves or goes into Georgia. I suppose they want the rain, though. Stay safe no matter what, the report from the Keys says the streets are flooded with no way out by car.