161 businesses in 25 Fla. counties hurt by Hurricane Idalia have received Fla. bridge loans as they await insurance or other help. Deadline to apply: Oct. 25.
The package of regulatory and administrative waivers in seven HUD programs will give Hurricane Idalia-hit counties extra help during recovery efforts.
The My Safe Florida Home program could run out of funds, and homeowners are encouraged to apply soon for up to $10K grants – $2 for every $1 of matching funds.
State-owned Citizens Property Ins. can levy surcharges on all insurance policies if it has heavy losses, but Idalia’s impact won’t force it do to so.
Property insurance costs aren’t completely under human control. NOAA says 2023 has had 23 billion-dollar-plus disasters so far due to changes in the climate.
Resources are available to assist state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the hurricane. The fed disaster declaration covers 13 Florida counties.
Idalia caused flooding in communities along Fla.’s west coast before making landfall in rural Taylor County, but some say the insurance industry “dodged a bullet.”
The fed disaster declaration now covers Columbia, Gilchrist, Hernando, Jefferson, Madison, Pasco, Citrus, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Suwannee and Taylor counties.
Pres. Biden declared seven Fla. counties disaster areas, but Gov. DeSantis thinks more will be added. A declaration opens up additional aid, including more fed funding.
Accusations suggest some Fla. insurers shortchanged policyholders last year, but a new 2023 law tightens how insurers handle claims and increases penalties if they fail to do so.
