CFO Jimmy Patronis Urges Floridians to Prepare Now for Possible Major Hurricane
~ CFO Shares Storm Recovery Resources including National Flood Insurance Claims Information ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis urges Floridians to take the necessary precautions to prepare their homes and property ahead of Tropical Storm Helene. This tropical storm is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane and bring devastating wind, rain, and flooding to communities along the Florida Gulf Coast. The storm could potentially bring enormous coastal flooding, so Floridians should be aware of recovery tips and resources offered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Currently, 61 Florida counties are under a declared state of emergency. CFO Patronis also posted a video on storm preparation tips and resources on X.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “I am urging all Floridians to prepare now and to heed all watches and warnings from state and local officials regarding Tropical Storm Helene. You must take this storm seriously, as hurricanes and tropical storms are often unpredictable and can shift and strengthen quickly. This system is projected to become a major hurricane before landfall this week, potentially bringing extremely dangerous sustained wind gusts and dropping heavy amounts of rain, which can lead to severe flooding. If you have coverage under the NFIP, be prepared to document potential damage so you can make your claim quickly if needed. 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 the storm and recover afterward. Stay safe and prepare now, Florida!”

REGARDING ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) BATTERY FIRES

The CFO said, “If you have an electric vehicle (EV), a scooter with a lithium-ion battery, or a golf cart with a battery and are located in an area that could be inundated with salty-storm surge waters, you need to move those assets to higher ground. The saltwater compromises those batteries and poses fire risks. EV companies can proactively notify consumers of these risks, so keep a close eye out for safety messages from these EV manufacturers in the event of an evacuation so those batteries don’t cause destruction that could have been avoided.”

THE PREPARE FLORIDA WEBSITE INCLUDES:

•  An Emergency Preparedness Toolkit designed to help you prepare a home inventory and organize your financial information before and after a disaster.
• A Natural Disasters – Are You Prepared guide to inform consumers on insurance and financial preparation in the event of a natural disaster.
• A guide to navigating the flood insurance claims process.
• Tips on what to expect after filing a homeowners insurance claim related to a hurricane. 

IMPORTANT STORM RECOVERY TIPS AND RESOURCES FROM FEMA’S NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM:

General information on the NFIP

• For consumers
• For insurance agents
• For insurance commissioners and others
• For real estate agents

Filing Your Claim:

• How To Start Filing Your Claim
• How To File Your Flood Insurance Claim
• Starting Your Recovery: FEMA’s Flood Insurance Claims Process
• How To Document Damage

Recovering from a flood:

• How To Document Damage And Begin Clean-Up
• NFIP Claims Handbook
• Salvaging Water-Damaged Family Valuables and Heirlooms
• Reducing Future Flood Damage  

 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).