Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineAugust 31, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott expanded a state of emergency Wednesday to include nine additional counties as Florida braced for Tropical Storm Hermine to hit the Gulf Coast. His executive order brought 50 of Florida’s 67 counties under the storm watch. “We are in constant communication with local communities, and we stand ready to respond to any impacts, especially […]

Jim RosicaAugust 30, 2016

As Tropical Depression 9 churns toward the Sunshine State, Gov. Rick Scott plans to visit Tampa’s Emergency Operations Center. There, he’ll be “briefed on the storm’s potential impacts to the area,” a news release said. His revised daily schedule shows him at the East Hanna Avenue location at 5 p.m. It could strengthen to a […]

Michael MolineAugust 24, 2016

A tropical storm stands an excellent chance of hitting South Florida this weekend. An insurance industry group wants Floridians to start getting ready. The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America on Wednesday recommended Floridians review their policies now, to make sure they’re covered against storm damage, or add coverage, if necessary. “Flood insurance is not covered by […]

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 […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 1, 2016

Jacksonville isn’t exactly sitting in Hurricane Alley. But on Wednesday, Mayor Lenny Curry said that’s “no reason for complacency.” Curry, who cited “public safety” as a “top priority of [his] administration,” issued brief remarks before a media tour of the emergency operations center. The facility, in a former Federal Reserve building, has all of the earmarks […]

Gary FineoutMay 13, 2016

Florida’s continued lucky streak when it comes to dodging hurricane is helping a key state fund reach its best financial shape ever in the two decades it has been in place. The state-created fund known as the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund should have $17.4 billion available for the Atlantic hurricane season that starts June 1. […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 1, 2016

Political prognostication is not an exact science despite what forecasters and pundits would have readers believe. Many fall somewhere between the obvious and the inane, and often take a familiar and non-threatening shape. “The race for (insert candidate here) comes down to which campaign turns out their voters,” or some similar form. Imagine a sports […]

Phil AmmannDecember 1, 2015

The streak survives. For the 10th year running, Florida dodged a hurricane, setting a new record, while the rest of the eastern seaboard escaped a hit by a major hurricane. It helped that the 2015 season – four hurricanes, a depression and seven tropical storms, including one that triggered a state of emergency across Florida […]

Associated PressSeptember 8, 2015

A new but controversial study asks if an end is coming to the busy Atlantic hurricane seasons of recent decades. The Atlantic looks like it is entering in to a new quieter cycle of storm activity, like in the 1970s and 1980s, two prominent hurricane researchers wrote Monday in the journal Nature Geoscience. Scientists at […]

Gary FineoutMay 30, 2015

Living in a (semi)-tropical paradise has a price – and apparently, not even going nine years without a major hurricane strike will change that. While Florida’s property insurance market has stabilized somewhat since eight storms battered the state in 2004 and 2005, as storms such as Hurricane Wilma caused billions in damages, the state still […]

Tag: hurricane
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

Rick Scott expands weather emergency, reviews storm plans [updated]

Rick Scott to visit Tampa ahead of storm

Insurers warn Floridians to prepare for tropical storm

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

Jacksonville gears up for hurricane season

Florida’s hurricane fund in best shape ever ahead of season

Five bold predictions for 2016

Florida marks record of 10 years without major hurricane

Study: Are we shifting to fewer, weaker Atlantic hurricanes?

Despite storm-free seasons, Florida insurance still pricey