Governor Rick Scott and Volunteer Florida today thanked WellCare for its support and generous donation of $1 million to the Florida Disaster Fund, which was activated by Governor Scott to aid those impacted by Hurricane Irma. The Florida Disaster Fund, administered by the Volunteer Florida Foundation, is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities in times of disaster. To make a contribution, visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222 to make a donation of $10.
Governor Scott said, “We are so thankful for WellCare’s support of the Florida Disaster Fund. With this generous donation, Florida’s disaster relief organizations will be able to get Floridians back to their homes and back to work as soon as possible.”
“WellCare’s culture is built around caring for those that are most vulnerable, and there is no one more vulnerable than someone who has experienced a natural disaster the size and magnitude of Hurricane Irma,” said Ken Burdick, WellCare’s chief executive officer. “Almost half of our workforce is based in Florida, with the vast majority in the Tampa area and a sizable portion of our membership resides within the state. It is our duty, as a leading corporate citizen, to help the state, our members, associates and the local communities get back on their feet.”
Volunteer Florida CEO Vivian Myrtetus said, “Volunteer Florida is exceptionally grateful for WellCare’s support of the Florida Disaster Fund. This funding will allow our partners across the state to serve so many more Florida families with clean-up, reconstruction, and other vital services.”
About the Florida Disaster Fund
The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
How to Donate
Donations to the Florida Disaster Fund are made to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and are tax deductible. Donations may be made by credit card on the secure website www.floridadisasterfund.org or by check to the below address. Checks should be made payable to the Volunteer Florida Foundation and should include “Florida Disaster Fund” in the memo line.
Volunteer Florida Foundation
Attention: Florida Disaster Fund
3800 Esplanade Way, Suite 180
Tallahassee, FL 32311
For additional questions about the Florida Disaster Fund, please contact [email protected] or call (850) 414-7400.
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CRC Chairman Carlos Beruff Cancels Committee Week of September 18-19
Public proposal filing deadline to be reevaluated
Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) Chairman Carlos Beruff today announced that the CRC has canceled its first committee week previously scheduled for September 18-19.
CRC Chairman Carlos Beruff, said, “As Floridians recover and rebuild following Hurricane Irma, the CRC has canceled its first committee week scheduled for September 18-19, which included a meeting of the full Commission. The CRC will also reevaluate its public proposal filing deadline to help ensure that Floridians interested in the CRC process can remain focused on their families during this time. Until a new deadline is recommended by the CRC Rules and Administration Committee, and approved by the full Commission, we will continue to accept all proposed constitutional amendments filed by Floridians. CRC business scheduled for the canceled committee week will be taken up during future meetings.”
The CRC Rules and Administration Committee previously recommended Friday, September 22 as the filing deadline for public proposals to be considered by the CRC. Given the impact of Hurricane Irma on Florida, the committee plans to reevaluate and recommend a new deadline at a future date that will be subject to approval by a vote of the full Commission. CRC committee meetings are open to the public and publicly noticed in advance on flcrc.gov.
Florida National Guard Responds to Hurricane Irma
Currently, the Florida National Guard has more than 8,000 Soldiers and Airmen conducting search and rescue operations, recovery operations, supply distribution points, and shelter management operations throughout the state in support of local and state agencies.
More than 11,000 Guardsmen from other states are assisting in support of recovery operations throughout the state.
We’re extremely proud of the Guardsmen and active forces from across the country who are working now to save lives, prevent injuries and protect property.
We are well-equipped, with assets including high water vehicles, helicopters, boats, generators and more.
“The next days and weeks will no doubt be trying and exhausting as we begin to rebuild. But no matter what this storm has brought, know that you are not alone,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Calhoun, the Adjutant General of Florida.
Response to Hurricane Irma has been a massive team effort, and we are proud to be working closely with our civilian partner agencies, National Guard units from other states and active-duty counterparts.
Florida National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are helping at more than 250 shelters statewide, and will continue to assist however needed and requested by the counties.
We have established Points of Distribution (PODs) throughout the state, and are operating at the State Logistics Readiness Center (SLRC) in Orlando and Logistics Staging Areas (LSAs) to ensure that we are able to get supplies quickly to those who need them.
We are aware of the critical situation in the Florida Keys, and continue to coordinate multi-service operations. Our Soldiers and Airmen are providing critical capabilities to include road and runway clearance to enable the delivery of life-saving supplies.
Photos and video of FLNG support during Hurricane Irma can be found here and here.
Classes Suspended through Friday at Florida Polytechnic University due to Hurricane Irma Impacts
Florida Polytechnic University has suspended all classes through Friday due to impacts from Hurricane Irma. The University suffered minimal damage, and is currently without power.
“We are hopeful that our students, faculty and staff made it through Irma safely,” said Maggie Mariucci, Director of External Affairs. “We are now preparing the University to re-open as soon as possible.”
Florida Poly faculty and staff will return to work once power is restored. School officials are working with local and state officials to determine exactly when classes should resume. Students should check their email, University social media channels and Blackboard Connect (My Poly Alert) for the most up to date information.
Gov. Scott Tours Impacts of Hurricane Irma in Jacksonville
Governor Rick Scott today joined Adjutant General of Florida Maj. Gen. Michael Calhoun, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, and members of the National Guard on an aerial tour to assess damage from Hurricane Irma in Jacksonville. The Florida National Guard will be continuing aerial assessments throughout the day.
SR 82 Preconstruction Public Meeting CANCELLED
LEE COUNTY
In order to allow the community to recover from the effects of Hurricane Irma the SR 82 (from Lee/Colonial Boulevard to Shawnee Road) Preconstruction Public Meeting previously scheduled for Thursday, September 14th at Gateway Trinity Church is CANCELLED. Notifications will be sent out when a new date for the public meeting is confirmed.
Flagler College to reopen residence halls Sept. 16 and resume classes Sept. 18
Flagler College officials have decided to postpone the start of classes until Monday, Sept. 18, at normally scheduled times, as the campus continues to cleanup from Hurricane Irma. Residence halls are expected to be ready for student arrivals on Saturday, Sept. 16.
We have done this to complete assessment of campus, continue cleaning and preparing the campus after the storm, and to alleviate the concerns of our students, faculty and staff about making travel arrangements after Hurricane Irma.
The college Emergency Operations Team is currently assessing and surveying the campus, which sustained minor damage and flooding. The safety of students, faculty and staff has been the primary concern of college administration, and all necessary steps are being taken to prepare the college for a return to normal and safe operations.
Commissioner Putnam Thanks Secretary Perdue for Modifying Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Wake of Hurricane
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today thanked U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for taking action to modify the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
“I thank Secretary Perdue for his leadership and taking action in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma to assist Floridians,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
According to the USDA, the temporary waiver and other actions include the following:
- Allowing SNAP participants in Florida to buy hot foods and hot ready-to-eat foods with their benefits through Sept. 30.
- Supporting Florida’s plan to issue all September SNAP benefits on Sept. 7 and Georgia’s plan to issue all remaining benefits for September on Sept. 10; both actions will ensure families have access to their monthly benefits sooner during this time of immediate crisis.
- Supporting Puerto Rico’s action to issue all September Nutrition Assistance Program benefits on Sept. 5, before the storm.
Governor Rick Scott: Consumers Must Be Protected
Governor Rick Scott directed Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier to take every action authorized pursuant to Executive Order 17-235 to provide additional protections to support recovery efforts as it relates to Hurricane Irma’s impact on Florida’s families. Governor Scott made it clear that his expectation for Florida’s insurance companies is to expeditiously respond to policyholders’ needs and to treat families fairly. The quick response of insurance companies is critical to the recovery of Florida families following Hurricane Irma.
Governor Scott said, “As Hurricane Irma leaves our state, it is critical that Floridians have every resource available to quickly recover. By providing additional protections for consumers, we are making sure that each family has ample opportunity to get their claims filed in a timely manner.
“Throughout the preparation and response to Hurricane Irma, we have been in constant contact with the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) and the Department of Financial Services (DFS) to find ways to help our state recover. I know that CFO Patronis and his team will quickly respond to the needs of Florida families, prevent fraud and quickly assess claims so families can get the service they deserve. We will not stop working until every family in Florida recovers from Hurricane Irma.”
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Hurricane Irma was a storm unlike anything we have seen before, and as residents across the state travel home to assess damages to their homes and businesses, we stand ready to help with any insurance issues that arise. Insurance can be complicated, and I’ll do everything in my power to protect policyholders throughout the entire recovery process. Our team of insurance experts are standing by to take Floridians’ calls at 1-877-693-5236.”
Governor Scott also directed his staff to work closely with OIR, DFS and the entire insurance industry prior to landfall to ensure Florida’s policyholders are the top priority. This includes pre-staging assets to quickly assess claims and ensuring each insurance company has the resources they need to expedite the claims process.
Governor Rick Scott directed Commissioner Altmaier to take the following action to provide additional protections for Florida policyholders:
- Provide an additional 90 days to policyholders to supply required information to their insurance company. Many Floridians were displaced during this dangerous storm, and providing additional time to submit information to insurance companies gives them needed flexibility.
- Require all non-renewal or cancellations issued to policyholders in the days leading up to Hurricane Irma be rescinded for 90 days. This gives policyholders 90 days to either renew their insurance policy, or find a new policy; and
- Freeze any and all efforts to increase rates on policyholders for 90 days. Due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma, Floridians should be focused on getting back to their normal lives without their insurance premiums being increased.
CFO Patronis’ toll-free Insurance Consumer Helpline (1-877-693-5236) can answer business and consumer-oriented insurance-related questions. CFO Patronis has launched a Hurricane Irma Insurance Resources webpage to provide comprehensive insurance information. Access the webpage by clicking on the “Hurricane Irma” button on www.myfloridacfo.com.
The Office of Insurance Regulation also has additional storm-related materials here.
One Million Bottles of Water Headed to Florida, Selling for $2.97 a Case
Attorney General Pam Bondi today thanked Home Depot for sending 45 tractor trailers containing disaster-relief supplies to Florida communities impacted by Hurricane Irma and pledging even more supplies before the end of the week. Millions of Floridians are still without power and thousands more have been displaced by flooding or storm damage. Attorney General Bondi continues to work with businesses to help Floridians get much-needed supplies and avoid price gouging.
“We will go after anyone drastically raising prices to take advantage of Floridians during this state of emergency—but another way to guard against price gouging is to increase the supply of disaster-related goods in hard hit areas. That is why I am grateful for our good businesses like Home Depot that are rushing essential supplies to Florida and keeping the price of those items stabilized,” said Attorney General Bondi.
The Home Depot trucks are carrying cases of water, plywood, generators, and electrical cords, among other items. The supplies are headed to South Florida, and will be sold at normal prices. The company is shipping additional supplies in the coming days—with more than a million bottles of water expected before the end of the week. Additionally, Home Depot will sell the water for less than three dollars a case.
Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline remains open during this emergency declaration covering all 67 counties. Citizens can also contact the hotline to report common disaster-related scams, such as: building-repair, tree-removal, water-treatment and charity scams. For more on these types of scams, click here.
Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and up to a total of $25,000 for multiple violations committed in a single 24-hour period, in addition to other civil penalties that may apply. State law also criminalizes the sale of goods and services to the public without possession of an occupational license. Violators of the law can be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor.
To report price gouging or any scam call (866) 9NO-SCAM or file a complaint online at MyFloridaLegal.com. Callers using out-of-state cellphones can dial (850) 414-3990.
