STUART, Fla. -- Following Gov. Rick Scott's Executive Order declaring a state of emergency for Martin County due to an increase in the number of algae blooms resulting from water releases from Lake Okeechobee, the City of Stuart followed the Order with a declaration of a local state of emergency.
Gov. Scott's Executive Order affects Glades, Hendry, Lee, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties.
Signed by Mayor Kelli Glass Leighton, the emergency declaration is active for seven days or until city officials declare otherwise; whichever is first.
The City has posted Blue-Green algae awareness signs along the downtown Riverwalk and riverfront, warning people to avoid contact with the water.