Florida has expanded its state of emergency declaration for the historic flooding the state saw Monday as a new flooding threat emerges in the St. Johns River.
Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded the emergency declaration on Wednesday to include Lake, Seminole and Volusia counties, as well as Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties in South Florida.
In Central Florida, the St. Johns River is still rising following historic rainfall in Brevard County Monday. More than two feet of rain fell there during a 1-in-1,000-year flooding event.
@GovRonDeSantis has amended the Executive Order for the Fall Flooding to include seven additional counties: Glades, Hendry, Lake, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Seminole & Volusia.
This action strengthens the state’s ability to continue deploying critical resources, supporting local…
— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) November 4, 2026
That water is draining into the southern end of the St. Johns River.
The St. Johns River flows slowly northward before emptying into the Atlantic near Jacksonville, traveling through Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties.
The executive order triggers state response and recovery plans, including freeing up state agencies to coordinate logistics and resources. It also activates the Florida National Guard and the Florida State Guard.