"By declaring an emergency in these counties, we can also ensure that there is no hindrance in the transportation of supplies and assets."
He urged residents to remain vigilant, stay alert and be prepared.
"We will keep monitoring and issuing updates on Tropical Storm Nate as it approaches the Gulf Coast," he said.
The counties under the state of emergency are Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Hamilton, Suwannee, Lafayette, Dixie, Columbia, Gilchrist, Levy, Baker, Union, Bradford, and Alachua counties.
This comes just weeks after Hurricane Irma hit the state leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.