Crisis Strikes: DeSantis Shifts Focus from Campaign to Looming Storm

Photo byPhoto 287064001 | Desantis © Jhansen2

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis abandoned the campaign trail on Sunday and headed back to his state to deal with the crises as a tropical storm intensified in the Gulf of Mexico.

DeSantis warned Florida's Gulf coast to prepare for Tropical Storm Idalia, which may make landfall as a hurricane as early as Wednesday. He spoke from the state's emergency operations center in Tallahassee.

The imminent threat of destruction from another storm will put DeSantis' ability to manage his official responsibilities and political aspirations to the test.

The Republican has spent most of his time campaigning in the last three months as he aims to defeat a crowded field of rivals, including former President Donald Trump, whose own response to disasters served as campaign fodder for Democrats.

DeSantis told reporters on Sunday that he was "locked in on this" storm and that "we're gonna get the job done."

Meanwhile, his team still needs to provide an update on his upcoming political travel.

In response to the question of where he will be this week, DeSantis said, "I'm here. I am here."

DeSantis supplied updates on its course as Idalia grew stronger between Cuba and Mexico.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm has a top sustained wind speed of 40mph and might intensify into a hurricane by Tuesday afternoon.

DeSantis cautioned that the Gulf of Mexico, which is now seeing sea surface temperatures that are record warm, could quickly intensify this storm.

“Please just heed the warnings of your local officials (and) continue to watch the news,” he said.

The comments were made during one of DeSantis' first outings in front of the general public in his home state since he declared his candidacy for president in May.

He returned to Florida from Iowa after the first Republican presidential primary debate.

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