(CN) Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency on Monday for 34 Florida counties in preparation for Tropical Storm Colin.
The declaration led to the immediately closure of several schools. So far, the only courts that have been effected are in Hillsborough and Pasco counties, both of which closed early today.
Scott, who was to travel to New York City Monday morning for a strategy meeting with presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, decided to opt out of the session after the National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for Florida's Gulf Coast.
The governor said Florida residents, visitors and businesses should remain vigilant during the storm and be prepared for possible severe weather, heavy rain, and flooding.
The storm, which intensified Sunday night, is expected to directly impact Florida's "big bend," an area stretching roughly from Tampa-St. Petersburg to Pensacola, and then move over land before passing between Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina and heading out over the Atlantic Ocean.
A tropical storm warning has also been issued for three Atlantic Coast counties in Florida - Brevard, Volusia and Flager. A tropical storm watch extends up the South Carolina coast to Myrtle Beach.
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