Gov. Rick Scott held a press conference Saturday morning in Tallahassee to provide an update on recovery efforts after Hermine hit Florida.
- More than 300,000 Floridians were without power
- Extra crews have been dispatched to restore power
- Gov. Scott urged people to remove standing water because of Zika
The storm made landfall as a hurricane in the Big Bend area of Florida early Friday morning, hitting St. Marks with dangerous storm surge and rain.
Speaking from the State Emergency Operations Center, Gov. Scott said more than 300,000 Floridians experienced power loss as a result of the storm. Between 25 and 75 percent of residents in eight counties in the region remain without power.
“I expect every city and county official to aggressively address that problem," said Governor Rick Scott. "We have got to get these people their power back.”
Power restoration is one of the state's top priorities as recovery efforts begin, Scott said.
Tallahassee and Cedar Key were among some of the hardest hit areas. Debris, including fallen trees and downed power lines, cover the streets of Tallahassee. Additional power crews have been dispatched and are working around the clock to get power restored.
In addition to power restoration efforts, the state of Florida has sent trucks of water that will be distributed to impacted residents. The Salvation Army has also deployed canteens across the state and will be providing meals.
Anyone in need of assistance is urged to contact their local emergency management office or visit floridadisaster.org/info.
According to Scott, 12 state parks remain closed as of Saturday.
The governor ended the conference by urging people to get rid of any standing water as the state continues its fight against Zika. The virus remains a threat to pregnant woman in the state.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Hermine continues to bring heavy rain to the Carolinas as the storm moves off the East Coast.
As of the 8 a.m., Saturday, the National Weather Service advisory stated the tropical storm was located about 10 miles north-northwest of Oregon Inlet, North Carolina. It had maximum sustained winds near 60 mph, moving east-northeast near 21 mph. Hermine is expected to weaken slightly over the next 24 hours as it heads into the Atlantic. It will continue to bring high surf and showers along the mid-Atlantic and Long Island.
- Sandbag information, supplies in Central Florida
- What exactly are the spaghetti plots?
- LIVE WEATHER WEBCAMS: Sky 13 webcams
All watches and warnings have expired for Central Florida.
- Information You Need | Supply Checklist | Hurricane Myths | Hurricane Glossary
- WEATHER ON THE GO: Download the News 13+ app
- GET WEATHER ALERTS: Sign up to receive weather text alerts from News 13
Central Florida weather
More moisture returns this afternoon with highs in the upper 80s. We have a 60 percent chance of showers and storms.
We stay warm and muggy for the overnight with lows dropping into the middle 70s. Another good chance of showers and storms on Sunday with highs returning to the low 90s. We have a 50 percent chance of showers and storms.
There is a 40 percent chance of showers and storms for Labor Day. We stay pretty active each afternoon for the rest of the work and school week with a 40 percent chance of showers and storms each day. Our highs stay in the low 90s.
Hermine's winds were so strong that it blew this porta-potty across the parking lot of the Winter Garden Police Department.
The Latest:
Here are the latest updates in regard to Hermine ...
9:30 a.m.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott held a press conference about the recovery efforts after Hermine hit the state.
8 a.m.
As of the 8 a.m. National Weather Service advisory, the tropical storm was located about 10 miles north-northwest of Oregon Inlet, North Carolina. It had maximum sustained winds near 60 mph, moving east-northeast near 21 mph. Hermine is expected to weaken slightly over the next 24 hours as it heads into the Atlantic. It will continue to bring high surf and showers along the mid-Atlantic and Long Island.
11:10 p.m.
From reporter John W. Davis:
A day care center in Lake County was one of the casualties of Hurricane Hermine after a tree fell.
The cleanup process has not even started yet at the "A Children's Learning Experience" Daycare in Fruitland Park.
"A friend of mine came by here and said have you been over to the daycare because the police are at the daycare," said property owner Clarissa Roberts.
"I'm like what, she said, 'Clarissa there's a big tree down.' I'm like oh my gosh, so I immediately went over there and talked to the police, they put up the tape," Roberts continued.
Right now the property owner is working with her commercial insurance company, trying to figure out how much it's going to cost to remove this massive tree.
Roberts said dozens of children depend on A Children's Learning Experience Daycare in Fruitland Park.
"[The day care owner] needs to be back open as soon as possible. She can't afford to be closed for like a week or two. She has to have the daycare back open," Roberts said.
