Hurricane Damage A Reality Of Florida Life
It is that time of year. It is hurricane season, and nature seems to know that as well. Floridians are among the Americans most vulnerable to the economic and human costs of hurricanes. Last year, Florida suffered $1.5 billion in damages from Hurricanes Matthew and Hermine alone. Recent projections show that damage to our state from hurricanes is likely to increase significantly in the future.
PACE Funding Cuts A Possibility
More than ever, our state’s policy makers need to be strategic in their efforts to protect Florida residents, homeowners and business owners from the threat of severe weather. That means putting the people of Florida above politics by maintaining policies that protect our homes, families and businesses from hurricane damage. One such program — Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing — empowers home and business owners to install hurricane and storm resiliency upgrades to their property, at no upfront cost. However, federal legislation drafted by Sen. Marco Rubio and Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton aims to eliminate PACE. Our politicians in D.C. and Tallahassee must support and strengthen PACE financing, not eliminate this important tool for hurricane resilience.
Tropical Storm Cindy Gives A Taste Of Whats to Come
The most recent storm that passed through was Tropical Storm Cindy. Severe weather whipped up Tropical Storm Cindy has damaged homes and vehicles in portions of the Florida Panhandle. In Fort Walton Beach, spokeswoman Jo Soria said Wednesday that falling trees have hit houses and cars in what she called "pockets of wind damage" in two or three residential neighborhoods. The locally popular Ferry Park had a number of trees down and a concrete-block baseball dugout was destroyed.
Being Prepared For When Disaster Strikes
The state of Florida and Florida county disaster preparedness agencies work closely with FEMA and the national weather service to try and alert residents to all major storms, create contingency plans to help ensure the safety of its residents, as well as assist with the storm damage clean up process. Take some time to visit the storm preparation center in your local county and help your family prepare for an emergency:
Martin County Disaster Preparedness
Indian River County Disaster Preparedness
