Rain from Hurricane Irma has engorged the Santa Fe River, imperiling an Interstate 75 bridge that traverses the waterway, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) said.
Florida’s state-created property insurer, contending that it is dealing with a flood of suspicious water-related claims and lawsuits, is asking state regulators to raise rates for thousands of homeowners next year, including those in the most heavily-populated areas. The board that oversees Citizens Property Insurance voted unanimously Tuesday to raise homeowner rates an average 5.3 percent and commercial accounts by an 8.4 percent average. Citizens has more than 451,000 customers, many of them living near the coast or in South…
State Sen. Jeff Brandes is looking to help Florida communities address the effects of coastal flooding. On Tuesday, the St. Petersburg Republican filed SB 584, a bill to create a statewide flood mitigation and assistance program, providing up to $50 million per year in matching grant funds. The money would help reduce the risk and severity of coastal flooding. Part of the program includes a plan for land acquisition and preservation. The proposal will also extend the expiration of de-regulated…
Flood waters in Tampa are receding and the unusual burst of rain seen over the course of 10 days is over. But Tampa residents still face a multitude of concerns as they survey damage to their homes, cars and property. The office of Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is available to help residents navigate the insurance claims process. “Rapidly rising flood waters can wreak havoc and quickly cause thousands of dollars in damage,” Atwater said. “My thoughts and prayers…
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is throwing its weight behind emergency management efforts in Pinellas County as areas continue to struggle with flooding. Monday morning two PSTA buses were deployed to Caladesi RV Park in Palm Harbor. Residents there were taken to Clearwater Community Church. Another bus was dispatched to an assisted living facility in Palm Harbor. The agency estimates that between 10 and 12 patients were transported from the facility to the East Lake Fire Department. Some areas throughout…
