CFO Patronis: Prepare Now as Subtropical Storm Nicole Approaches

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is urging Floridians to prepare now for Subtropical Storm Nicole expected to make landfall in Florida this week. Floridians are encouraged to follow the tips below and visit PrepareFL.com to plan accordingly for the impending storm.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “The 2022 Hurricane Season is not over yet. Subtropical Storm Nicole is making its way across the Atlantic as we speak and the time to prepare is now. If we have learned anything from the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, it’s that these storms can be powerful and very unpredictable. Central Florida communities have already been inundated with so much rain, the threat of flooding is real and is not to be taken lightly. Gather your materials now and do not wait until it’s too late. If you are told to evacuate, please heed the warnings of your local officials and do so in earnest. When it comes to major storms, having a plan is vital and our Emergency Preparedness Toolkit is designed to help you prepare a home inventory and organize your financial information to ensure you can recover from a storm quickly. Visit PrepareFL.com for important storm tips and resources.”

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.
• Use sandbags and plastic sheeting to ward off rising water.
• 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.

As Subtropical Storm Nicole approaches Florida, no new insurance policies will be written. Specific coverage amounts, total coverage limits, and deductible amounts are also locked in, per Florida law. 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., visit our disaster resources and information website, or contact us via email at Consumer.Services@myfloridacfo.com.

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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).