DeSantis: Dorian Has Potential for 'Multi-Day Event'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis urged state residents to be prepared to face Hurricane Dorian, saying during a press conference Friday morning that everyone should have at least seven days' worth of food, medicine, and water as the storm has the potential of being a "multi-day event."

"If you are in an area that has an impact from the storm, you should assume you're going to lose power," the governor said. "If you are in an area that flooded during Hurricane Irma and you are impacted by this, you should assume you are going to see flooding again after the storm, so be prepared."

Local officials are making determinations about evacuations, said DeSantis, and he urged state residents to heed those directives. 

"They are considering a variety of factors and are obviously monitoring the storm," said DeSantis. "These decisions are not made lightly. If you are in an evacuation zone and ordered to evacuate, please do so. Put your safety first."

He said the Florida Department of Transportation already has cleared the shoulders of all major highways and will open them once evacuation orders have been handed down.

Gas stations already are running out of fuel, and DeSantis said Florida Highway Patrol officers will be used to escort fuel trucks so critical parts of the state can be supplied.

In addition, the National Guard is getting ready for the storm, with 2,000 soldiers and airmen to be mobilized by the end of Friday and another 2,000 on Saturday, said DeSantis. Talks are ongoing with the governor of Alabama to authorize National Guard from that state if necessary. 

Earlier Friday, the governor told Fox News' "Fox and Friends" that Dorian has the potential to impact all of Florida's 67 counties, and a request has been submitted to President Donald Trump to declare an emergency before the storm makes landfall. 

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