If you had said two years ago that Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) would be signing a controversial executive order on January 20th, 2025, involving the newly named "Gulf of America," you probably wouldn't think that Donald Trump has returned to the White House.
Life works out funnily.
However, Gov. DeSantis is still in his residence in Tallahassee, still in his post as the Governor of the Sunshine State, and has signed Executive Order 25-13, known as "Emergency Management – Gulf Winter Weather System," declares a state of emergency regarding the winter storm that could bring snow to Florida's panhandle early this week.
While the winter storm is not projected to hit Arizona, will meteorologists be referring to the Gulf by its new name?
Regardless, Gov. DeSantis refers to the Gulf by its new name, the Gulf of America, after President Trump renamed it in an executive order of his own, fulfilling a post-election desire that has now become a reality.
DeSantis' executive order reads:
WHEREAS, an area of low pressure moving across the Gulf of America, interacting with Arctic air, will bring widespread impactful winter weather to North Florida beginning Tuesday, January 21, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Winter Storm Warnings have been issued for the western Florida Panhandle, with additional extensions eastward along the I-10 corridor this afternoon and evening; and
WHEREAS, all modes of hazardous winter weather will be likely, including snow, sleet, and freezing rain; and
WHEREAS, snowfall totals of one to three inches are forecast for the Florida Panhandle, with locally higher amounts upwards of three to four inches possible for locations that experience periods of heavy snowfall rates ...
WHEREAS, the threat posed by this winter weather system requires that timely precautions are taken to protect the communities, critical infrastructure, and general welfare of Florida; and
WHEREAS, as Governor, I am responsible to meet the dangers presented to Florida and its people by this emergency.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ron DeSantis, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(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 the State of Florida ...
To read the whole executive order, click the link here: