For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Contact: Office of Communications, Communications@MyFloridaCFO.com, 850.413.2842

CFO Jimmy Patronis Urges Floridians to Make Preparations for Severe Weather

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis urges Floridians to make preparations to homes and property ahead of a severe weather event that is expected to bring damaging winds, possible tornadoes, and coastal flooding to the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, 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 Jimmy Patronis said, "A strong early-spring cold front is bringing a line of dangerous showers and thunderstorms to the Florida Panhandle as early as Tuesday night. Current forecasts indicate this storm could be a major wind event, with damaging gusts between 50-70 mph and the potential for tornadoes. Floridians must take this threat seriously and follow all watches and warnings issued by state and local officials. We've seen in the past that these storms can be powerful and unpredictable. If you live in the Panhandle or Gulf Coast regions, I urge you to secure outdoor items, review your insurance policy, protect your vehicle, and gather any last-minute supplies. Please don’t wait until it’s too late. For disaster preparedness resources and tips, visit my website, PrepareFL.com, designed to help Floridians be ready to face this storm and recover quickly afterward. Stay safe, Florida!"

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 recovery 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 they 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 speak to a knowledgeable insurance specialist Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email us 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).

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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).