DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Florida over Israel. Here’s what that means

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Florida on Thursday related to the surprise attack on Israel by Hamas and ensuing war, declaring in an executive order that Floridians need help evacuating from Israel and local police agencies need assistance handling pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

According to DeSantis's executive order, these concerns "constitute a major disaster" and will authorize the leaders of Florida's National Guard and State Guard to activate their forces "as needed" to respond.

DeSantis also noted in this executive order that "more than 20,000 Americans, including many Floridians, in Israel who wish to return home but have been prevented from doing so because of commercial flight cancellations and other travel and logistics disruptions due to the ongoing war in the region."

"We will not leave our residents behind," he tweeted on X. "To the many Floridians who are stuck in Israel, trying to get home — help is on the way."

There have been 27 Americans confirmed dead in Israel and 14 unaccounted for but those numbers were expected to rise, spokesperson for the National Security Council John Kirby told reporters at a White House briefing Thursday.

What does it mean when Florida calls for a "state of emergency," especially for one that's overseas? Here's what to know about the state's laws and system when a state of emergency is called.

DeSantis declares state of emergency: DeSantis declares Florida state of emergency after attack on Israel, activates Guard forces

What does it mean when Florida declares a 'state of emergency?'

According to Florida Law, it says that “a state of emergency shall be declared by executive order or proclamation of the Governor if she or he finds an emergency has occurred or that the occurrence or the threat thereof is imminent."

What exactly happens during 'state of emergency' in Florida? How does it help residents?

Declaring a state of emergency allows the state and local governments much more freedom to coordinate their emergency agencies, relax restrictions, cut through red tape and reallocate resources to quickly deal with an imminent or ongoing threat that local services can't handle on their own.

Once a state of emergency has been declared the governor may take "direct operational control" over any or all of the emergency management functions of the state and assign people to coordinate and direct them.

The governor may suspend regulations that would slow emergency response, commandeer or utilize any private property needed to deal with the emergency (with some restrictions), order evacuations, direct or delegate control of the National Guard to help rescue or cleanup operations, suspend the sale or transportation of alcoholic beverages, firearms, explosives and combustibles, establish emergency housing, limit power services as needed, impose or allow exceptions to curfews, and quite a bit more as needed by the specific emergency.

The declaration also triggers certain conditions:

• It activates the emergency mitigation, response, and recovery parts of the state, local, and interjurisdictional emergency management plans

• It authorizes control over the use and distribution of supplies, equipment, materials and facilities that have been readied for emergencies

• In some cases, it grants authority for a health care practitioner licensed in another state to assist in providing health care in the disaster area

• In some cases, it constitutes a formal request to the president of the United States to mobilize the military

Florida law also prohibits price gouging on goods and services during an emergency.

How long does a 'state of emergency' last in Florida?

A declared state of emergency lasts until the governor signs a declaration ending it because the situation is no longer dire, or 60 days, whichever comes first. The governor may choose to extend it if conditions warrant it.

"The state of emergency shall continue until the Governor finds that the threat or danger has been dealt with to the extent that the emergency conditions no longer exist and she or he terminates the state of emergency by executive order or proclamation, but no state of emergency may continue for longer than 60 days unless renewed by the Governor.”

What is the state emergency response team in Florida?

The State Emergency Response Team is an inter-agency organization authorized by law for the purpose of responding to, recovering from, mitigating against, and preparing for disasters. The SERT is comprised of Sections, Branches, and Emergency Support Functions. According to their website, these entities work closely with one another to fulfill resource requests from local entities requiring support before, during, and after a disaster.

Currently, the team is operating under 'Level 2.' Here are all the levels.

• Level 1 - Full Scale Activation of State Emergency Response Tea: In a full scale activation, all primary and support agencies under the state plan are notified. The State Emergency Operations Center will be staffed by Division of Emergency Management personnel and all Emergency Support Functions.

• Level 2 - Activation of State Emergency Response Team: This is an agency activation that may not require activation of every section, branch or Emergency Support Functions. All primary, or lead, Emergency Support Functions are notified. The State Emergency Operations Center will be staffed by Division of Emergency Management personnel and necessary Emergency Support Functions.

• Level 3 - Monitoring Activation - Level 3 is typically a "monitoring" phase. Notification will be made to those state agencies and Emergency Support Functions who would need to take action as part of their everyday responsibilities. The State Emergency Operation Center will be staffed with State Warning Point Communicators and Division of Emergency Management staff.

Are there different types of 'state of emergency' declarations?

According to Florida Law, the governor may restrict state-of-emergency declarations to individual counties or apply them to the entire state.

Local governments also may declare a state of emergency for their county or municipality to help reallocate resources and waive procedures and formalities relating to the performance of public work to take whatever action is necessary to insure the health, safety and welfare of the community. Examples might be, among other things:

• Entering into contracts

• Employing permanent or temporary workers, using volunteer workers

• Renting equipment; acquiring and distributing supplies

• Appropriation and expenditure of public funds

A local state-of-emergency declaration can also be used to request state assistance or to invoke emergency-related mutual aid assistance.

A state-of-emergency declaration from a local government is much more limited and does not bring all the powers of the governor. Local governments can't use it to seize and use private property during an emergency, for example.

Local states of emergency last seven days and may be extended in 72-hour increments.

However, local emergency powers may be overruled by the governor, as happened when Gov. DeSantis suspended all local COVID emergency orders in May, 2021.

The Florida Department of Health may also declare a public health emergency.

How does a state of emergency help with hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida?

Before, during or after a hurricane or tropical storm, the governor may declare a state of emergency to set up the chain of command for the emergency response and to grant those people broad leeway to cope with what's happening.

During an established state of emergency, the governor also can help protect people whose financial situation would suffer from the natural disaster, such as extending deadlines for building permits and development orders, refunding or providing an extension on certain fees or taxes paid during the state of emergency, etc.

Can law enforcement declare a state of emergency in Florida?

Yes. With the latest additions to Florida Statutes from the state's new so-called "anti-riot" laws, local sheriffs or designated officials may declare a state of emergency in the event of overt acts of violence or the imminent threat of them.

Florida law states: "Whenever the sheriff or designated city official determines that there has been an act of violence or a flagrant and substantial defiance of, or resistance to, a lawful exercise of public authority and that, on account thereof, there is reason to believe that there exists a clear and present danger of a riot or other general public disorder, widespread disobedience of the law, and substantial injury to persons or to property, all of which constitute an imminent threat to public peace or order and to the general welfare of the jurisdiction affected or a part or parts thereof, he or she may declare that a state of emergency exists within that jurisdiction or any part or parts thereof.

Can Florida declare a 'state of emergency' for overseas situations?

As the Sarasota Herald-Tribune writes, declaring a state of emergency in Florida over an overseas conflict is "highly unusual." But if a governor finds an emergency that occurred is affecting residents, they can call a state of emergency.

Naples group stuck in Israel: Naples church group books flight home after war in Israel

DeSantis pushed this order as many Americans have struggled to return home Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines have halted flights into and out of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, joining several other airlines around the world, said representatives from the airlines.

American Airlines flights are canceled through Friday, Delta flights are canceled through Oct. 31 and United flights are canceled indefinitely.

Contributing reporting: Zac Anderson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: DeSantis calls a 'state of emergency' for Florida. Here's what to know