The post Personal insurance organization launches new effort to help Floridians prepare for floods appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..
—
Florida is famously at risk of floods, and a new program aims to help residents deal with Mother Nature.
The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida (PIFF) is launching FloodReadyFlorida, a site to help residents prepare for floods. The website also provides outlines of flood risks and explains how to recover from disasters.
“One of the most important things Floridians can do is prepare for the possibility of flooding before a storm is on the radar. While hurricane categories are based on wind speed, water is often the deadliest hazard,” said Michael Carlson, President of PIFF.
“Experts note that flooding from storm surge and heavy rainfall causes far more deaths than wind alone, and flooding can occur hundreds of miles from the coast. Simply put: anywhere it rains, it can flood.”
PIFF officials note that the flood preparedness website has helpful guidance for all areas of Florida, not just the coastal regions. Flash floods often hit interior counties that have rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.
Flood damage can also result from tropical storms, hurricanes and slow-moving thunderstorms that move through areas normally considered outside of high-risk flood zones.
The new PIFF initiative covers several elements related to flooding, including Information on flood insurance and where consumers can learn about available coverage options.
It also offers information on home hardening, mitigation and resilience measures that can help reduce damage.
This year’s hurricane forecast is considered mild for the time being. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has projected there will be eight to 14 named storms this year in the Atlantic region. Only three to five storms are expected to become hurricanes.
PIFF officials say this is the best opportunity to get ready for any flood threats, though they acknowledge it “only takes one” major storm to wreak havoc.
“Preparedness is the best insurance. FloodReadyFlorida brings together trusted information from trusted experts and agencies to help consumers make informed decisions,” Carlson said.
“The peril of flood has quickly become synonymous with hurricane season in Florida. The more Floridians know, the more resilient our state will become.”
The post Personal insurance organization launches new effort to help Floridians prepare for floods appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..
