PHOTO PROVIDED Gov. Ron DeSantis

Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared state of emergency for more than 50 Florida counties — including Lee — due to a tropical wave that could form into a tropical depression and drop as much as a foot of rain or more over the next week across the state.

In an emergency declaration issued on Aug. 1, he cited a tropical wave — now identified as Invest 97L — that has been producing a “large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.”

The tropical wave is expected to form into a tropical depression over the weekend and early next week over the eastern Gulf of Mexico near the Florida Peninsula. As a result, there is a significant threat of heavy rainfall over most of Florida, DeSantis said. The prolonged heavy rainfall could result in flash flooding, river flooding, coastal flooding, erosion and gusty winds.

“These conditions could damage the operational capability of critical infrastructure to include major interstates and roadways, bridges, airports, schools, hospitals, power grids and other critical infrastructure,” he said.

According to the declaration, the water tables in the affected areas are already nearing peak capacity and incoming heavy rainfall will cause significant river flooding that may last for several weeks.

“The incoming heavy rainfall, flooding and gusty winds will cause widespread power outages due to downed trees and powerlines,” DeSantis said.

He activated the Florida National Guard, as needed. DeSantis also ordered the Florida State Guard director to activate the reconstituted Florida State Guard, as needed, to respond to the emergency.

The emergency declaration suspends the effect of any statute, rule or order that would in any way prevent, hinder or delay any mitigation, response or recovery action necessary to cope with the emergency.