City of Oldsmar, Florida’s Post

Building codes matter. After Hurricane Ian hit southwest Florida two years ago, average insurance claims on homes built after 2002 (when the state put in place a stronger building code) were much lower than on those built before. The FEMA report that documented this didn't find *any* examples of wind-related structural damage to post-code homes (roof covering damage, especially at hips and ridges, and water intrustion into vented soffitts was widepsread). It also found that newer, non-elevated buildings fared worse than elevated buildings as old as the 1980s. Florida's residential code now requires 1' of freeboard above Base Flood Elevation, but that requirement dates only to 2017. It's time to make our codes anticipate climate change, not react to it.

Businesses have multiple needs for hurricane preparedness. Planning and preparation are the keys to protecting people and property amid a storm. If you're headquartered in Florida, have satellite offices, employees or assets here, it is important to be prepared for a range of potential risks to your operations including what is predicted to be a very active hurricane season. If you are private company working with our state agencies, it is also vital to remember the critical role our public servants have pre-, during and post-disaster, and lend all the support and patience possible. We're in this together, Florida! Read more from Business Observer and review the resources on FloridaDisaster.org. https://lnkd.in/g-MzjWST https://lnkd.in/gJCbMGSt

In Days of Yore - Chapter 2 Hurricane Francine appears to weaken as it moves inland. Early reports indicate insurance losses to be in “single digit billions and should be manageable”. About 19 years ago, on 29 August 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Eastern Louisiana and Western Mississippi as Category 4 storm. Insured losses from that reportedly more than 60 Billion USD (more than 80Billion in today’s value). Few interesting insurance cases including Business Interruption (Orient Express Hotels Ltd) is well known. Noble had more than 25m USD valued coffee in Dupuy and other warehouses. The warehouses were only accessible for survey more than three weeks later. Those interim three weeks were stressful indeed - not knowing what happened to the goods. Luckily only about 10% of the goods were found damaged after surveys. Couple of months later FDA required destruction of all products that were in contact with water. If my memory is correct, total amount paid by cargo insurers was about USD3.6m (more than actual damage, as we could claim replacement cost) and our brokers were able to collect all and even got few on account payments prior final settlement.

Are you prepared for this upcoming Hurricane season? Give J&D a call to evaluate your current coverages to make sure you are fully prepared! 😃 Give us a call! 239-799-5411 #hurricaneseason#j&dinsurance #insurance

“There's no harm in hoping for the best as long as you're prepared for the worst.” With hurricane season nearly 1 week away, the Florida Division of Emergency Management is proactively preparing for the upcoming hurricane season. They are adopting a strategy to be ready for at least three potential landfalls, highlighting the seriousness with which they are approaching this annual risk. The division has taken significant measures to enhance their capabilities, including expanding their staff and resources, to ensure a swift and effective response to any storm-related disasters that may occur. To meet the increased demand during hurricane season, the Florida Division of Emergency Management has hired over 100,000 temporary workers. These additional personnel will provide crucial support and assistance in the event of a natural disaster, enabling a more efficient response. Kevin Guthrie, the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, affirms that his team is constantly preparing for the worst-case scenario, even though they hope to avoid it. By conducting thorough preparations and planning for multiple strikes, the division aims to ensure they’re adequately equipped to handle any challenges that may arise. https://lnkd.in/e873-JhP

SC NOW: Rebuilding Trust: Fighting Scams in the Wake of Hurricane Destruction As Hurricane Helene recedes, leaving a trail of destruction from Florida to Tennessee, homeowners are faced with the monumental task of recovery. With damages estimated between $225 and $250 billion—far surpassing the devastation wrought by past storms like Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017—entire communities are left grappling with rebuilding their lives. Thousands of homes are submerged, infrastructure has crumbled, and the road to normalcy feels long and uncertain. In times like these, Florida-based companies like TheHomeMag | America’s #1 Multi-Media Home Improvement Company™ offers a lifeline to homeowners navigating the treacherous waters of disaster recovery. As a leader in the home improvement industry, it connects property owners with certified professionals who are licensed, insured, and thoroughly vetted. Their Certified Partner program provides a sense of security, ensuring that homeowners are dealing with reputable contractors backed by a rigorous selection process. Each certified contractor undergoes background checks, financial reviews, and must adhere to strict legal and ethical standards. Trust is essential in the uncertain days and weeks following a hurricane, when reliable service providers are at a premium and fraudulent actors are rampant. https://lnkd.in/gWNDcV_W Read the full story in the link below Media contact WORKHOUSE, CEO Adam Nelson via Nelson@workhousepr.com Cc: Thomas M. B. Stephanie Sagorac (Moratto)

SC NOW: Rebuilding Trust: Fighting Scams in the Wake of Hurricane Destruction As Hurricane Helene recedes, leaving a trail of destruction from Florida to Tennessee, homeowners are faced with the monumental task of recovery. With damages estimated between $225 and $250 billion—far surpassing the devastation wrought by past storms like Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Hurricane Harvey in 2017—entire communities are left grappling with rebuilding their lives. Thousands of homes are submerged, infrastructure has crumbled, and the road to normalcy feels long and uncertain. In times like these, Florida-based companies like TheHomeMag | America’s #1 Multi-Media Home Improvement Company™ offers a lifeline to homeowners navigating the treacherous waters of disaster recovery. As a leader in the home improvement industry, it connects property owners with certified professionals who are licensed, insured, and thoroughly vetted. Their Certified Partner program provides a sense of security, ensuring that homeowners are dealing with reputable contractors backed by a rigorous selection process. Each certified contractor undergoes background checks, financial reviews, and must adhere to strict legal and ethical standards. Trust is essential in the uncertain days and weeks following a hurricane, when reliable service providers are at a premium and fraudulent actors are rampant. https://lnkd.in/gVhuV9VN Read the full story in the link below Media contact WORKHOUSE, CEO Adam Nelson via Nelson@workhousepr.com Cc: Thomas M. B. Stephanie Sagorac (Moratto)

Hurricane Milton unleashed its fury on Florida, leaving a trail of destruction and over 3 million customers without power before surging into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday. 🌀 The Category 3 storm made landfall late Wednesday in Siesta Key, about 70 miles south of Tampa, causing widespread damage and claiming at least four lives. Governor Ron DeSantis swiftly mobilized an impressive response, deploying 9,000 Army National Guard members and over 50,000 utility workers nationwide. The storm's impact was severe, dumping up to 18 inches of rain in some areas and generating storm surges reaching 8 to 10 feet in Sarasota County. While the aftermath wasn't as catastrophic as initially feared, DeSantis warned that water levels could continue to rise for days, emphasizing that danger still looms. Milton's devastation compounds the recent havoc wrought by Hurricane Helene just two weeks prior, which claimed 230 lives across the South. These back-to-back storms have stretched emergency resources thin, leaving many Floridians struggling to recover. The storm's effects were felt statewide. St. Petersburg residents lost access to tap water due to a major main break. Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Rays home, saw its fabric roof shredded by fierce winds. Multiple cranes toppled across the region, exacerbating hazardous conditions. Before landfall, Milton spawned numerous tornadoes across southern Florida. The Spanish Lakes Country Club near Fort Pierce suffered significant damage, with homes destroyed and at least four fatalities. Twisters touched down in the Everglades and Fort Myers, causing extensive damage to local structures. As Thursday dawned, officials reiterated that danger persists. Storm surge warnings remain in effect along much of the east-central Florida coast and into Georgia, with tropical storm warnings extending to South Carolina. Authorities in hard-hit counties urged residents to stay home, citing risks from downed power lines, fallen trees, blocked bridges, and ongoing flooding. The widespread power outages pose a significant challenge to recovery efforts. Utility companies work tirelessly to restore service, but some areas may face extended periods without electricity. Gas shortages further complicate matters, with over 60% of stations in Tampa and St. Petersburg reported to be out of fuel before the storm hit. Milton prompted mandatory evacuation orders across 15 Florida counties, affecting approximately 7.2 million people. As recovery efforts commence, the full extent of Milton's damage is still being assessed. The storm's impact on infrastructure, homes, and businesses will likely take weeks to address fully. Local, state, and federal agencies are coordinating their responses to provide aid and support to affected communities. Image Credit: FMT News #HurricaneMilton #FloridaStorm #WeatherAlert #StormRecovery #EmergencyResponse

During National Hurricane Preparedness Week: May 5-11, 2024, SERVPRO is committed to supporting our communities in preparing for the upcoming hurricane season. As experts in property restoration, we understand the profound impact that hurricanes can have on homes and businesses. That's why we're dedicated to providing comprehensive restoration services to help our customers recover quickly and effectively in the aftermath of a storm. #SERVPRO #NationalHurricanePrepWeek #HurricaneSeason2024