Floridians for Lawsuit Reform’s Post

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

FEMA Warns It Could Run Out of Cash This Hurricane Season In August 2023, FEMA’s cash stockpile for disaster response ran out, right as Hurricane Idalia hit as a Category 4 hurricane. It caused $3.6 billion in damages throughout Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. TNS) - With a grim storm forecast ahead, the nation’s top disaster responders are in danger of running out of cash at the peak of hurricane season— again. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund is on pace to run dry by August. Without congressional action, that could leave Florida and other states staring at massive expenses and slower recovery efforts if a major storm hits. The chances for that are high ahead of what is predicted to be the busiest season on record. At a press conference at the National Hurricane Center last week, FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks said the agency would switch to prioritizing “life-saving, life-sustaining work” if funding dwindles. That could leave important programs like individual financial aid or reimbursements for governments cleaning up storm debris on the chopping block. By September, the agency that leads disaster response across the country projects it could be nearly $7 billion short. For more: https://lnkd.in/esB6dV6R

On September 27, Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida. Less than two weeks later, we’re on the cusp of Hurricane Milton’s landfall, which is likely to devastate many of the same counties that are still in the earliest phases of recovery from Helene. Colleagues and I look at some of the implications of these compounding disasters and consider how shifts to disaster policy can support communities to better prepare for and respond to back-to-back events such as Helene and Milton. Looking forward to opportunities to think about more proactive approaches in the future, but for now wishing for safety and a speedy recovery for all of those impacted by both storms. https://lnkd.in/e38EPwZf Sara McTarnaghan Andrew Rumbach Kameron Lloyd Urban Institute

Did the devastation of Hurricane Helene put undue pressure on Sarasota County officials to expand evacuation orders? Will hurricane storm surge hype lead to tornado blind spots and will it result in less people evacuating during the next hurricane? A guy who lives 15 miles inland in Sarasota County and chose not to evacuate went viral after he suggested that, for him, the risk of evacuating was grater than the risk of staying. The most compelling point this guy made was that where he was considering evacuating to - a friend's house on Florida's east coast - ended up getting hit harder than his area. He may have been referring to St. Lucie County which experienced a tornado that resulted in 6 of the state's 16 deaths. During a press conference less than 2 days prior to the hurricane hitting St. Lucie County, the county's public safety director encouraged those in low lying areas or in mobile homes who "don't FEEL safe" to "shelter with friends and family where they will FEEL most comfortable" or, as a last result, at one of the county's shelters. The attention on flooding on Florida's west coast was demonstrated when CBS News correspondent Tom Hanson stated: "The National Hurricane Center is warning that the storm will be life threatening and devastating to part of the state's WEST coast." Fox 4's (DFW) meteorologist Dylan Federico said Hurricane Milton "has the potential to end up being one of the worst natural disasters in American history so we cannot understate the danger with this hurricane". To say something cannot be understated is to say it can't be exaggerated, which is an invitation to engage in counter-productive forms of hyperbole. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor seems to have adopted Federico's perspective when she told CNN's Kaitlan Collins: "I can say without any dramatization whatsoever, if you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you're going to die." It appears very likely that feelings-based (or at least influenced) risk assessments focusing on storm surge instead of other risks like tornadoes led to exaggerated risks in Sarasota County on Florida's west coast and a failure to give strong enough evacuation instructions in St. Lucie County on the east coast. When risk management is done poorly, some will be left less likely to head warnings in the future while others may not be alive to experience a 'next time'. Hindsight is 20/20 and I have more respect than criticism for those who have to make the extremely difficult decision to issue an evacuation order. But it is worthwhile to look back and learn from the miscalculations that may have led to increased death in areas marked as low risk on maps shown again and again on the news. It is worth considering the thousands of people who return to a perfectly dry house after spending next month's rent and grocery money on gas and hotels and will simply ignore the next time their mayor says "everyone who doesn't evacuate will die". #RiskManagement #HurricaneMilton

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

Florida is bracing for Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene. Milton is expected to bring extreme winds and storm surges up to 15 feet, affecting cleanup and recovery efforts across the state. This presents significant challenges for businesses, especially in maintaining operations and ensuring safety. Cleaning teams in the short-term rental industry must be prepared for immediate disaster response, including water extraction and sanitation. Disaster response strategies need streamlining for faster recovery, emphasizing the role of robust cleaning protocols. Stay safe and informed. #CleaningSolutions #DisasterRecovery #VacationRentals #HurricanePreparedness #VRMAStrong #ETISolutions https://lnkd.in/eAKEGts6

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)

I think it's very difficult to trust what's on television these days. Following is an update on the Red Cross Disaster Response in FL, GA and NC/SC. ·       In Florida, Milton spawned tornadoes across south Florida that leveled homes, dropped significant rainfall that flooded homes in central Florida, and knocked out power for more than 2.4 million customers, or 7.2 million people. o   In the last 100 days, the Red Cross has responded to five different hurricanes that have made landfall in the United States, with three of these hurricanes hitting Florida. o   Overnight, more than 13,000 people found safe refuge in more than 90 shelters following Hurricane Milton. o   Over 700 Red Crossers are on the ground in Florida, with hundreds more arriving over the weekend, to support the immediate and long-term needs of those who have been impacted. ·       In Georgia, the disaster relief operation continues to provide meals across more than 20 counties, to support those impacted by Hurricane Helene. o   Additionally, more than 10 shelters were opened for those who evacuated Florida and Hurricane Milton. Most of those shelters will close today, but there are still more than 180 individuals staying in our care across 3 shelters from Hurricane Helene. o   Detailed damage assessments are also underway in Georgia across 14 counties, with more than 500 assessments completed yesterday. ·        Across the Carolinas, Red Cross disaster workers continue to coordinate with local emergency managers and government officials to support the unique needs of those impacted by Hurricane Helene. o   Nearly 50,000 customers, or 150,000 people, remain without power weeks after Helene barreled through the Region. As winter is approaching in the mountainous region, having no electricity to provide heat is a dangerous situation. o   More than 11,000 meals and snacks were served across the operation yesterday and will continue that pace for the days and weeks to come. o   Red Cross disaster workers are also focused on providing health and mental health services, which are crucial following a catastrophic event like what was caused by Hurricane Helene.