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GOV. SCOTT EXPEDITING DELIVERY OF TARPS TO PATCH ROOFS OF HOMES DAMAGED BY IRMA

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MIAMI, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) to expedite the delivery of more than 10,000 tarps to communities across the state so that homeowners can patch roofs damaged by Hurricane Irma. To date, more than 100,000 tarps have been distributed throughout Florida. Following destructive storms like Hurricane Irma, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) activate Operation Blue Roof which provides a temporary covering of blue plastic sheeting at no cost to homeowners in eligible counties until permanent repairs can be made. The action ordered by Governor Scott today aims to mitigate and prevent additional water and rain damage to homes impacted by Hurricane Irma until the federal Operation Blue Roof program is fully operational.

Governor Scott said, “Throughout our state, many families are still displaced from their homes due to damage caused by Hurricane Irma. As we all work to help Florida recover, we must do everything possible to protect families and help them return to their homes. Today, I have directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management to take every action to expedite the delivery of tarps to impacted communities so homeowners can patch their roofs, preventing further damage to their property and allowing them to return home. Across the state, more than 100,000 tarps have already been distributed and today, an additional 6,000 tarps will be arriving in the Keys. Florida is expediting the delivery of these tarps until the federal Blue Roof program is operational.” 

FEMA/NFIP Announce Enhanced Claims Filing Process for Flood Insurance Policyholders Affected by Hurricane Irma

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The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is sharing guidance issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) addressing the claims process for its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders affected by Hurricane Irma. Five bulletins were issued on September 12th to applicable insurance companies and insurance adjusters with information on a variety of subjects.
A summary of the applicable information and links to each bulletin are provided below:

  1. Proof of Loss (POL) Waiver/Extension (Applicable to Standard Flood Insurance Policies) – The POL is waived for the initial claim payment. However, if the policyholder disputes the payment or submits a request for additional payment, they must file a POL with supporting documentation by one year from the date of loss.
  2. Advance Payments (Applicable to Standard Flood Insurance Policies) – The policyholder can request an advance payment of up to $5,000 for covered flood damages prior to the adjuster’s inspection. The policyholder may also request up to $20,000 prior to the adjuster’s inspection if they provide photographs along with receipts or canceled checks verifying covered out-of-pocket expenses or their contractor’s estimate of covered damages.  After the adjuster’s inspection, the policyholder may request a larger advance payment of up to 50% of their contractor’s estimate of covered repairs.
  3. Enhanced Claim-Handling for Prior Loss and Contents Claims (Applicable to the Standard Flood Insurance Policy Dwelling Form Only) – The adjuster may group personal property by category. Also, where there is evidence of completed repairs to damage from prior flood losses, the NFIP is not requiring the adjuster to obtain the prior loss claim file before adjusting the claim.
  4. Extension of the Grace Period for Payment of NFIP Premiums – The 30-day grace period for premium receipt is changed to 120 days for policies expiring within a specified date range. Please review the bulletin for further details.
  5. Enhanced Claim-Handling Process for Building Losses Insured (Applicable to the Standard Flood Insurance Policy Dwelling Form & Group Flood Insurance Policies)– The adjuster may use a building valuation loss adjustment to support a large advance payment or if the policy limit is exceeded, conclude the claim in a timely manner.

For more information on the NFIP, visit their webpage. For additional resources, visit the Office’s “Flood Insurance Resources” webpage.

Nelson and Rubio ask for FEMA assistance to restore Florida's communications networks

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Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio today asked the head of FEMA to assist in restoring the state’s wireless communication networks.
Following is the text of the letter sent to FEMA:

September 12, 2017

The Honorable William B. Long
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C St., SW
Washington, DC 20472
Dear Administrator Long:
As we begin to address the considerable damage caused by Hurricane Irma to the state of Florida, we write to request assistance in restoring our state’s communications networks.
According to a FCC Communications Status Report issued today, 24 percent of Florida’s wireless communications systems are inoperable, with many more operating on generators or battery power. This includes 29 “911” call centers either lacking service or operating at reduced capacity. Overall, more than 7.1 million cable and/or telephone subscribers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama have been impacted.
At a time when many residents of Florida have relocated from their homes, access to wireless communications is particularly important. Wireless phones provide displaced residents with a critical lifeline to first responders, family and friends, important information about the state’s recovery from the storm, and government assistance.
The ability to contact emergency services in the days following a natural disaster is vital to the safety and security of communities. We request that FEMA coordinate with relevant federal, state and local officials to facilitate the ability of communications companies to access affected areas, assess damage to their networks and restore service.
We appreciate your prompt attention to this request.

Sincerely,

Congress Approves Emergency FEMA Funding

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The U.S. House of Representatives today passed $15.25 billion in emergency funding to address those impacted by hurricanes. The bill includes $7.4 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund, $7.4 billion for Community Development Block grants to be used in the wake of hurricanes and $450 million for the Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program.
“With FEMA set to run out of money today, this emergency funding is a strong and necessary step in the right direction,” Rep. Mast said. “Although I’m returning to Florida to be with our community during Hurricane Irma, I will not stop fighting for the resources we need to address this devastating storm.”
According to FEMA’s Administrator Long, the agency is currently spending between $150 to $200 million per day, and had a Disaster Relief Fund balance of $917 million, with $461 million in the Majors account and $456 million in the Base account (as of Thursday, September 7, 2017). Even with the addition of the Congress-passed $7.85 billion, FEMA estimates that it will only be able to continue providing support and relief efforts through September 30, 2017.
Members of the Florida Congressional Delegation will today be sending a letter to leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives calling on them to vote on additional resources for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund.
“With a full legislative agenda pending this month, it is imperative that the House can reassure our constituents and our local governments that there will be adequate funding to address their critical needs during and after this devastating natural disaster,” the letter reads. “Once again, we urge your immediate consideration of additional emergency funding for FEMA to continue servicing disaster events.”
Rep. Mast also addressed the broader package, which includes a 3-month debt ceiling extension and a 3-month continuing resolution:
“It was wrong to attach must-pass funding for FEMA to the debt ceiling and continuing resolution. I do not support raising the debt ceiling without reforming the broken system that has led to out-of-control spending, but this FEMA funding is too critical for Florida to allow this bill to fail, which is why I stayed to vote on it.”
The bill has already been passed by the Senate and now heads to the President’s desk for a signature.

Nelson calls on FEMA to help address growing gas shortage

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Sen. Bill Nelson today asked the head of FEMA to help address South Florida’s growing shortage of gasoline.
“As a growing number of Floridians are being ordered to evacuate, we need to ensure that these evacuees have access to the gasoline they need to escape this approaching storm,” Nelson wrote in a letter to FEMA Administrator Brock Long. “I strongly urge FEMA to use all available resources and authorities to assist those evacuating this potentially catastrophic storm, including pre-positioning fuel supplies near and along evacuation routes so those running low on fuel can obtain an emergency supply to get them out of harm’s way.”
Following is the text of Nelson’s letter to FEMA:

September 6, 2017

The Honorable William B. Long
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472
Dear Administrator Long:
As Hurricane Irma approaches Florida’s coast, I’m asking for your help to address a growing gasoline shortage in South Florida. According to published reports, one out of every four gas stations along Florida’s east coast – from Miami to West Palm Beach – are out of fuel. And several other stations in the area have only a limited supply of gasoline left.
As a growing number of Floridians are being ordered to evacuate, we need to ensure that these evacuees have access to the gasoline they need to escape this approaching storm. In 2005, we saw thousands of people stuck on the side of the road as they tried to leave Houston during Hurricane Rita. We cannot allow this to happen again.
I strongly urge FEMA to use all available resources and authorities to assist those evacuating this potentially catastrophic storm, including pre-positioning fuel supplies near and along evacuation routes so those running low on fuel can obtain an emergency supply to get them out of harm’s way.
Finally, I have asked the Federal Trade Commission to monitor reports of fuel price gouging to make sure Floridians are not being taken advantage of, and I would ask that FEMA also do what it can to assist Floridians at this vulnerable time.
Thank you in advance for your prompt response to this urgent request.

Sincerely,