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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExecutive OrderAUG--24-2005 19: 37 �bK STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EKNCUTI E ORDER NUMBER 05-176 P. 02,10 'WHEREAS, on July 7, 2005, the Governor issued Pxecutive Order 2005-139 to declare a state of emergency because of Hurricane Dennis; and WHEREAS on July 10, 2005, Hurricane Dennis passed near the Keys and West Coast of the State of Florida, made landfall on the Panhandle of the State of Florida, caused millions of dollars worth of damage to property and rendered homes and other buildings unsuitable for use and habitation; and WHEREAS, the State of Florida is now trying to recover from the cumulative impact of Hurricane Dennis and the 2004 hurricanes; and WHEREAS, on August 24, 2005, the National Hurricane Center advised that Tropical Storm Katrina formed in the Atlantic with sustained surface winds of 40 miles per hour; and WHEREAS, the National Hurricane Center has advised that Tropical Storm Katrina has the potential to strengthen further to a Category l hurricane and make landfall in South Florida by Friday, August 26, 2005, and that a hurricane watch and tropical storm watch has been issued for regions within the State; and WHEREAS, the National Hurricane Center has also advised that the anticipated slow movement of Tropical Storm Katrina across South Florida could produce up to 15 to 20 inches of rainfall; and WHEREAS, the rainfall from the storm also has the potential of impacting other Florida counties (specifically Polk and Volusia) which have previously been affected by severe flooding; and WHEREAS, there is the potential threat of Tropical Storm. Katrina emerging in the AU3-24-2J@5 1Q: 38 P.03/10 Gulf of Mexico and becoming a Category 1 Hurricane and affecting the counties in the Florida panhandle previously impacted this year by Hurricane Dennis and by the 2004 Hurricanes; and WHEREAS, Tropical Storm Katrina threatens a number of communities in the State of Florida with extreme weather conditions that pose an immediate danger to the lives and pmperty of the residents of those communities; and WHEREAS, it is likely that Tropical Storm Katrina will strike those communities within, a matter of days, so that the immediate evacuation of persons from those communities is vital to the safety of the residents; and WHEREAS, special equipment, personnel and other resources may be needed in order to ensure the timely evacuation of persons from the threatened communities and the safe movement of the evacuees to othex communities ie the State acting as destinations for the evacuees; and WHEREAS, central coordination and direction of the use of such resources for the local evacuation measures are needed to ensure the timely evacuation of the threatened communities; and WHEREAS, additional emergency measures may be needed to protect the lives and property of the people in the threatened communities and the general welfare of the State of Florida; NOW, THEREFORE, I, JEB BUSH, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority nested in me by Article 1V, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution and by the Florida Emergency Management Act, as amended, and all other applicable laws, do hereby • promulgate the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect: ,$eciion 1, Because of the foregoing conditions, 1 hereby find that Tropical Storm Katrina, alone and in combination with the destruction caused by Hurricane Dennis and the 2004 hurricanes, threatens the State of Florida with a major disaster. 1, therefore, declare that 2 Rt77,..-24-20D5 18 : 30 P . 0a / 10 a state of emergency exists in the State of Florida, and that the evacuation of multiple counties in the State may be necessary because of Tropical Storm Katrina, I further find that central authority over the evacuation of these counties is needed to coordinate these evacuations, that these evacuations exceed the capability of the local governments in these communities, and that shelters in other counties are needed to accommodate the evacuees. I therefore declare that a state of emergency also exists in all destination counties that open shelters to accommodate evacuees from the communities threatened by Tropical Storm Katrina. Section 2.. I hereby incorporate Executive Order 2005-139, as amended by Executive Order 2005-140, by reference into this Executive Order. All mission assignments and orders issued by the State Coordinating Officer and Deputy State Coordinating Officers in connection with Hurricane Dennis under the authority of Executive Order 2005.139, as amended by Executive Order 2005-140, are hereby ratified and extended as if issued on this date. Executive Order 2005-139, as amended by Executive Order 2005-140, is also hereby extended, so that its date of expiration will coincide with the expiration of this Executive Order. Scctjoz 3. I hereby designate the Director of the Division of Emergency Management as the State Coordinating Officer for the duration of this emergency und as my Authorized Representative, In exercising the powers delegated by this Executive Order, the State coordinating Officer shall confer with the Governor to the fullest extant practicable. In accordance with Sections 252.36(1)(a) and 252,36(5), Florida Statutes, I hereby delegate to the State Coordinating Officcr•the following powers, which be shall exercise, subject to the limitations of Section 252.33, Florida Statutes, as needed to meet this emergency; A. The authority to activate. the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan; B. The authority to invoke and administer the Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement, and the further authority to coordinate the allocation of resources under that Agreement so as 3 AUG 21-200S 1s:39 P_05i10 bast to meet this emergency; C. The authority to invoke and administer the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and other Compacts and Agreements existing between the State of Florida and other States, and the further authority to coordinate the allocation of resources from such other States that are made available to the State of Florida under such Compacts and Agreements so as best to meet this emergency; L7. The authority to seek direct assistance from any and all agencies of the United States Government as may be needed to meet tbe emergency; E. The authority to distribute any anal all supplies stockpiled to meot thc emergency; F. In accordance with Se.ctions 252.3 6(5)(a) and 252,46(2), Florida Statutes, the authority to suspend existing statutes, rules, ordinances, and orders for the duration of this emergency to the extent that literal compliance with such statutes, rules, ordinances, and order may he inconsistent with the timely performance of disaster response functions; G. The authority to direct all state, regional and local governmental agencies, including law enforcement agencies, to identify persoruiel needed from those agencies to assist in meeting the needs created by this emergency. and to place all such personnel under the direct command of the State Coordinating Officer to meet this emergency; H. The authority to activate thc Continuity of Operations Plans of all state, regional and focal governrncntal agencies; T. The authority to seize and utilize any and all real or, personal.property as needed to meet this emergency, subject always to the duty of the State to compensate the owner; J. The authority to order the evacuation of all persons from any portions of the State threatened by the disastor, the authority to direct the sequence in which such evacuations shall be carried -out, and the further authority to regulate the movement of 4 RUG-2. -20Qa le: 39 P.06,10 persons and traffic to, from, or within any Location in the State to the extent needed to cope with this emergency; K. The authority to reverse the flow of traffic on any and all highways or portions of highways of the State Highway System as needed to facilitate the evacuation of the affected communities; L. The authority to regulate the return of the evacuees to their horns communities; M. The authority to designate such Deputy State Coordinating Officers as the State Coordinating Officer may deem necessary to cope with the emergency; and N, The authority to enter such orders as may he needed to implement any or all of the foregoing powers. Section 4. I hereby order the Adjutant General to activate the Florida National Guard for the duration of this emergency, and I hereby place the National Guard under the authority of the State Coordinating Officer for the duration of this emergency. Section 5. I hereby direct each county in the State of Florida, at the discretion of the State Coordinating Officer, to activate its Emergency Operations Center and its County Emergency Management Plan, as needed, to ensure an immediate state of operational readiness, and I further direct each county the State, at the discretion of the State Coordinating Officer, to open and activate all shelters to accommodate all evacuees. Section 6, I hereby direct all state, regional and local agencies to place any and all available resources -under the authority of the State Coordinating Officer as needed. to meet this emergency. Section 7. I hereby designate all state, regional and local governmental facilities including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all public elementary and secondary schools, all Community Colleges, and all State Universities, for use as shelters to ensure the proper reception and care .of all evacuees. 5 AUG-24-20 5 1B:40 P, 07/1O Section 8. I find that the special duties and responsibilities resting upon some state, regiona3 and local agencies and other governmental bodies in responding to the disaster may require them to deviate from the statutes, rules, ordinances, and orders they administer, and 1: hereby give sucia agencies and other governmentalbodies the authority to take formai action by emergency rule or order in accordance with Sections 120,54(4) and 252.46(2), Florida Statutes, to the extent that such actions are needed to cope with this cmcrgcncy. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, I hereby order the following: A. I hereby give all agencies of the State, including the collegial bodies within those agencies, the authority to suspend the effect of any statute, rile, ordinance, or order of any state, regional, or local gaverxunental entity, to the extent needed to procure any and all necessary supplies, commodities, services, temporary premises, and other resources, to include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any and all statutes and rules which affect budgeting, printing, purchasing, leasing, and the conditions of employment and the compensation of employees, but any such statute, rule, ordinance, or order shall be suspended only to the extent necessary to ensure the timely perforrnance of disaster response functions as directed by the State Coordinating Officer. B. I hereby give all agencies of the State with employees certified by the American Red Cross as disaster service volunteers within the meaning of Section 110.120(3), Florida Statutes, the authority to release any such employees for such service as requested by the American Red Cross as needed to meet the emergency. C. I hereby direct the Department of Transportation to waive the collection of tolls and other fees and charges for the use of the Turnpike and all other transportation facilities, regardless of whether such facilities are components of the State Highway System, to the extent such waiver may be needed to facilitate the evacuation of the affected communities; to reverse the flow of traffic on any and all highways or portions of highways of the State Highway System as maybe needed to facilitate the evacuation of the affected 6 AUG-24-2005 I S: 40 communities; to close any and all highways or portions of highways as may be needed for the safe and efficient transportation of evacuees to those counties the State Coordinating Officer may designate as destination counties for evacuees in this emergency; to waive fuel taxes levied on vehicles registered in other States and to waiye the registration requirements and the hours of service requirements for such vehicles and any vehicles transporting emergency equipment, services and supplies; by special permit to designate alternate size and weight restrictions for all such vehicles for the duration of the emergency; and to waive by special pern►it the warning signal requirements in the Utility Accommodation. Manual to accommodate, public utility companies from other jurisdictions which render assistance in restoring vital services, to the extent such waivers are needed to rneet this emergency. D. At the request of the Director of Emergency Management of any county, I hereby direct the Department of Health to take over the operation of all shelters in that county that are intended for use by those evacuees with special personal, medical or psychological needs, and to station licensed medical professional and paraprofessional personnel at those shelters as needed to provide appropriate reception and care for such evacuees. E. I hereby give all agencies of the State the authority to allow overnight stays by employees of the State who travel a distance of less than fifty (50) miles for the performance of offi.ciat duties in connection with this emergency, and the authority to allow employees of the State reimbursement for the cost of meals during Class C travel incurred in connection with this emergency. F. I hereby give all agencies of the State responsible for the use of state buildings and facilities the authority to close such buildings and facilities in those portions of the State affected by the emergency, to the extent needed to meet this emergency. G. I hereby give all agencies of the State, including the collegial bodies within those agencies, the authority to abrogate the time requirements, notice .requirements, and fa05-24 --2005 L9: 40 P. ©9/1e deadlines for final action on applications for permits, licenses, rates, and other approvals under any statutes or rules under which such applications are deemed to be approved unless disapproved in writing by specified deadlines, and all such time requirements that have not yet expired as of the date of this Executive Order are hereby suspended and tolled to the extent needed to meet this emergency, Section 9. Y hereby find that the demands placed upon the funds appropriated to the agencies of the State of Florida and to local agencies may be inadequate to pay the costs of this disaster. In accordance with Section 252,37(2); Florida Statutes, to the extent that funds appropriated to the agencies oldie State and to local agencies may be inadequate to defray the costs of this disaster, I hereby direct the transfer of sufficient funds from any unappropriated surplus or from the Budget Stabilization Fund, Scctiou 10. Medical professionals and workers, social workers, and counselors with good and valid professional licenses issued by States other than the State of Florida shall be allowed to render such services in the State of Florida during this emergency for persons at'ected by the disaster, with the condition that such services be rendered to such persons .frcc of cherge, and with the further condition that such services be rendered under the auspices of the Arrtvrican Red Cross or the Florida Department of Health, Section 11, In accordance with Sections 501.160(2) and 501.160(3), Florida Statutes, 1 hereby place all persons on notice that it is unlawful for any person in the State of Florida to rent or sell, or offer to rent or sell at an unconscionable price, any essential equipment, services, or supplies, the consumption or use of which is necessary because of thy: emergency. Such services shall include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any rental of hotel, motel, or other transient lodging facilities, and any rental of storage facilities. Ire eccordancc with Section 501.160(1)(h), Florida Statutes, any price exceeding the average price for such essential equipment, services, or supplies for the thirty (30) days immediately preceding the date of this Executive Order shall create a presumption that the price is a F1L3-24--2005 10; 41 unconscionable unless such increase is caused by actual costs incurred in connection with such essential equipment, services, or supplies, or is caused by national or international economic trends.. Section 12. All state agencies that enter emergency final orders or rules, or take other final actions based on the existence of this emergency shall advise the State Coordinating Officer in writing of the action taken as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the expiration of sixty (60) days from the date of this Executive Order. Section 13. This Executive Order shall be deemed to have taken effect on August 24, 2005, and all actions taken by the Director of the Division of Emergency Management with respect to Tropical Storm Katrina before the issuance of this Executive Order are hereby ratified. This Executive Order .shall expire sixty (60) days from the date hereof unless extended. W TESTIMONY WHEREOF, Thaw hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State ofFlorida to be axed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 24th clay of August, 2005. ATTEST: cea,",,c1„ E moo/ SEC1t.ETA.RY OF STATE 9 TOTAL P.1E1