Mandatory evacuations were later issued for mobile homes and low-lying areas of Monroe, Broward, St. Lucie, and Martin counties; voluntary evacuations were also issued for barrier islands in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. On August 28, forecasters issued a hurricane watch for southern Florida through the Florida Keys. When Ernesto was downgraded to tropical storm status, Governor Jeb Bush urged Florida residents to continue preparations and not wait until it regained hurricane status, as it was forecast to do by the National Hurricane Center.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for mobile homes and low-lying areas of Monroe, Broward, St. Lucie, and Martin counties; voluntary evacuations were also issued for barrier islands in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. On August 28th, forecasters issued a hurricane watch for southern Florida through the Florida Keys. When Ernesto was downgraded to a tropical storm, Governor Jeb Bush urged Floridians to remain prepared and not wait until it regained hurricane strength as predicted by the National Hurricane Center.