Sep 6, 2008 4:45 am US/Pacific
Fla. Gov. Issues State Of Emergency Ahead Of Ike
As Florida Fell Out Of Hanna's Cone, It Slipped Into Ike's
TALLAHASSEE (CBS) ―
Gov. Crist is in Miami on Saturday meeting with officials of Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties to coordinate preparations for Hurricane Ike.
Crist said "it's a dangerous, powerful storm. It puts Fla. Peninsula in the five-day cone forecast and could affect the area by Tuesday."
The governor said mayors, county officers and regional emergency-preparedness officials from Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties have discussed plans and briefed one another on state and local status reports.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez reiterated that "all levels of government are working together", and asked residents to pay close attention to storm updates.
The National Hurricane Center has issued advisories on Saturday suggesting South Florida is in the five-day forecast of Ike.
"We are in a state of emergency as we prepare for potential damage from Hanna and Ike," said Crist yesterday in the state Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.
Ike has winds of roughly 130 miles an hour and "it's a dangerous, powerful storm" that could threaten much of Florida by Tuesday.
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