CFO Jimmy Patronis Urges Floridians to Make Preparations for Severe Weather Event

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is urging Floridians to make preparations to homes and property ahead of the severe weather event that is expected to bring damaging winds, possible tornadoes and coastal flooding to the Florida Panhandle, Nature Coast and Northeast Florida, starting as early as tonight. Floridians are encouraged to follow the tips below and visit PrepareFL.com to plan accordingly for the impending storm.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “This winter storm is making its way to the Florida Panhandle as we speak and the time to prepare is now. Floridians must take this storm seriously and heed all watches and warnings from state and local officials. If we have learned anything living in Florida, we know that storms can be very powerful and unpredictable. Right now, forecasters are expecting this storm to be a major wind event, with wind gusts reaching 40-80 mph with possible tornadoes. If you live in the Panhandle, on the Nature Coast or Northeast Florida, I encourage you to secure all items, know your insurance policy, ensure your car is protected, and gather all last minute materials now. Do not wait until it’s too late. My PrepareFL.com website serves as a one-stop-shop for disaster preparedness information and tips to help Floridians ensure they are prepared to weather a storm and recover afterwards. Stay safe and prepare now!”

Final Storm Preparation Tips and Reminders for Floridians:

• Make sure to stock up on food and water and take only what you need.

• Never run a generator inside or too close to your home or garage.
• Take photos of items in your home to help make the recovery process easier.
• Gather all insurance, financial and other important documents and secure them in plastic bags.
• Secure outdoor objects, such as grills and lawn furniture, so that it cannot get displaced by high winds.
• Use carbon monoxide detectors. Since carbon monoxide can be produced by a number of fuel-burning devices, it’s important to have carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home. This will ensure every person in the home can hear and be alerted to the emergency.

Floridians can call the Department of Financial Services’ toll-free helpline at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (693-5236) to talk to a knowledgeable insurance specialist Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or contact us via email at Consumer.Services@myfloridacfo.com. Visit PrepareFL.com for storm related resources and information.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis 
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).