Executive Order 22-56 (Emergency Management- Severe Weather in Northeast and Central Florida)

 Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 22-56 (Emergency Management- Severe Weather in Northeast and Central Florida), which declares that a state of emergency exists in Clay, Highlands, Marion, and Putnam Counties.

A copy of Executive Order 22-56 is provided below. A PDF copy is available here.

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STATE OF FLORIDA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 22-56

(Emergency Management- Severe Weather in Northeast and Central Florida)

WHEREAS, during the morning and early afternoon hours of March 12, 2022, a powerful cold front brought multiple severe weather hazards across Northeast and Central Florida generating heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong straight-line winds, and isolated tornadoes resulting in widespread power outages and damages; and

WHEREAS, heavy rainfall associated with the thunderstorms caused flash flooding of creeks, streams, and waterways over Northeast Florida. Consequently, some Northeast rivers are forecasted to rise and remain above flood stage for several days; and

WHEREAS, a state of emergency is hereby necessary for the limited purpose of receiving assistance for the impacted areas and residences.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section l(a) of the Florida Constitution and by the Florida Emergency Management Act, as amended, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:

Section 1. Because of the foregoing conditions, which are projected to constitute a major disaster, I declare that a state of emergency exists in Clay, Highlands, Marion, and Putnam Counties.

Section 2. I designate the Director of the Division of Emergency Management (“Director”) as the State Coordinating Officer for the duration of this emergency and direct him to execute the State’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and other response, recovery, and mitigation plans necessary to cope with the emergency. Pursuant to section 252.36(1)(a),

Florida Statutes, I delegate to the State Coordinating Officer the authority to exercise those powers delineated in sections 252.36(6)-(12), Florida Statutes, which he shall exercise as needed to meet this emergency, subject to the limitations of section 252.33, Florida Statutes. In exercising the powers delegated by this Executive Order, the State Coordinating Officer shall confer with the Governor to the fullest extent practicable. The State Coordinating Officer shall also have the authority to:

• Direct all state, regional, and local governmental agencies, including law enforcement agencies, to identify personnel needed from those agencies to assist in meeting the response, recovery, and mitigation needs created by this emergency, and to place all such personnel under the direct command and coordination of the State Coordinating Officer to meet this emergency.
  • Direct the actions of any state agency as necessary to implement the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Disaster Recovery Framework.
• Suspend the effect of any statute, rule, or order that would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay any mitigation, response, or recovery action necessary to cope with this emergency.   In accordance with section 252.3611(1), Florida Statutes, any such order, declaration, or other action shall specify each statute or rule being amended or waived, if applicable, and the expiration date for the order or action.
• Enter orders as may be needed to implement any of the foregoing powers; however, the requirements of section 120.54(4), Florida Statutes, do not apply to any such orders issued by the State Coordinating Officer. No such order shall remain in effect beyond the expiration of this Executive Order, including any extension thereof.

Section 3. I find that the special duties and responsibilities resting upon some State, regional, and local agencies and other governmental bodies in responding to this emergency may require them to suspend or waive certain statutes, rules, ordinances, and orders they administer.

Section 4. I find that the demands placed upon the funds appropriated to the agencies of the State of Florida and to local agencies are unreasonably great and may be inadequate to pay the costs of coping with this disaster. In accordance with section 252.37(2)(b), Florida Statutes, as amended by Chapter 2022-1, Laws of Florida, I direct that sufficient funds be made available, as needed, by transferring and expending moneys from the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund.

Section 5. Pursuant to Section 252.36(6)(a), Florida Statutes, the Executive Office of the Governor may suspend all statutes and rules affecting budgeting to the extent necessary to provide budget authority for state agencies to cope with this·emergency. The requirements of Section 120.54(4), Florida Statutes, do not apply to any such suspension issued by the Executive Office of the1G·overnor. No such suspension shall remain in effect beyond the expiration of this Executive Order, including any extension thereof.

Section 6. All actions taken by the Director of the Division of Emergency Management as the State Coordinating Officer with respect to this emergency before the issuance of this Executive Order are ratified, and he is directed to continue to execute the State of Florida Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and other response, recovery, and mitigation plans necessary to cope with this emergency.

Section 7. This Executive Order is effective immediately and shall expire sixty (60) days from this date unless extended.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at the Capital, Tallahassee, Florida, this 12th day of March, 2022.