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Associated PressJune 1, 2017

Some coastal residents always put off emergency preparations until storm clouds loom on the horizon. The National Hurricane Center is going to try giving those people a deadline this year, issuing experimental advisories showing when tropical-storm force winds may hit particular communities to help them understand when it’s too late to put up storm shutters […]

Guest AuthorNovember 29, 2016

As the Nov. 30 end of the hurricane season approaches, Floridians should be thankful. While this year’s storms Hermine and Matthew brought an end to the state’s decade-long hurricane drought, they easily could have been stronger or cut a more destructive path. Indeed, had Hurricane Matthew tracked just 20 or more miles further west, it […]

Tamara LushSeptember 29, 2016

Neighbors of a huge sinkhole sending cascades of contaminated water and fertilizer plant waste into Florida’s main drinking-water aquifer are fearful and fuming that it took weeks for them to be notified about the disaster. Many are still waiting anxiously for results from tests for radiation and toxic chemicals in their well water. Meanwhile, the […]

Guest AuthorJune 10, 2016

One of the responsibilities of living in the paradise of Florida is annually preparing for hurricane season. After a 10- year run with few hurricane impacts in Florida, it is important that we all prepare a plan. We certainly had a wake-up call with the heavy rains across the state from Tropical Storm Colin this […]

Ryan RayJune 2, 2016

Florida has been spared a major hurricane hit for the longest period in decades, but in a state surrounded by water on three sides, it’s only a matter of time until our luck runs out. That’s why state officials are warning residents to get their papers in order as hurricane season begins. “The risks are […]

Joe HendersonMay 31, 2016

Recent headlines heralded the fact that Citizens Insurance, the state-run company for those who can’t get coverage anywhere else, has a lot of cash. With the official opening of hurricane season at hand, company officials say Citizens has enough money in reserve to pay claims if even a catastrophic Category 5 storm hits a major […]

Associated PressMay 27, 2016

U.S. government forecasters expect a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season, after three relatively slow years. But they also say climate conditions that influence storm development are making it difficult to predict how many hurricanes and tropical storms will arise over the next six months. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s outlook Friday called for a near-normal […]

Associated PressMay 4, 2016

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Florida’s governor says the U.S. government needs to prepare for the Zika virus like it’s a hurricane. Forecasts for a hurricane threatening U.S. coasts trigger certain federal response operations. In a statement Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott says lawmakers and administrators in Washington owe citizens “a vigorous and thorough preparation effort at the federal level” to […]

Jim RosicaApril 29, 2016

Insurance-related concerns reacted with cautious optimism to Friday’s naming of David Altmaier as Florida’s new Insurance Commissioner. “The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida is committed to working with the new commissioner to increase the health and stability of the property and casualty insurance market in Florida,’’ Executive Director Michael Carlson said in a statement. The […]

Jim RosicaApril 29, 2016

A 34-year-old former high school math teacher was named Friday to be the next Florida Insurance Commissioner. David Altmaier, currently a deputy commissioner at the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR), starts on Monday. Altmaier, who will be paid $165,000 a year, began at OIR as an insurance examiner in 2008. The selection caps off weeks of […]

Tag: hurricane season

New hurricane advisories will give deadlines for storm prep

Christian Cámara: Reinsurance saved Florida from catastrophic losses

Outcry grows over delay in warning about Mosaic sinkhole, contamination

David Mica: Oil, gas industry prepare for hurricane season to keep supply flowing

Jeff Atwater, state officials warn to prepare paperwork ahead of hurricane threats

As hurricane season begins, asking tough questions of Citizens Insurance

Feds expect more Atlantic tropical storms than last 3 years

Rick Scott: Prepare for Zika virus like it’s a hurricane

Insurance interests “look forward” to new commissioner

David Altmaier named Insurance Commissioner