Hurricane Season

A FEMA program that provides the most hurricane aid to Florida – nearly $300 million – has been slashed by the Trump administration. The hurricane season begins June 1.

The wide-ranging measure addresses local government responsibilities about issues such as construction regulations and debris removal after storms and more.

A Tampa Bay Times story shows that many people living in a flood zone were told they have to either rebuild their homes or raise them above the flood stage but were never given an inspection of the inside of their homes.

Recent studies show that about 15% to 20% of Florida homeowners are uninsured. Experts said the risky trend is a direct result of the state’s property insurance market crisis.

A collection site in St. Petersburg shows how much wreckage has been processed. This year's hurricane season produced 1.3 million cubic yards of debris in the area alone — more than Hurricanes Irma, Idalia and Ian combined.

This system will become Sara and it is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico next week.

The hurricane brought levels of storm surge that communities haven't seen in years. Crews are continuing to assess damage in neighborhoods that got hit with flooding.

The migrant farmworker community is one of the most vulnerable groups when it comes to natural disasters. Language barriers and immigration status are major hurdles to seeking emergency relief.

Florida residents should prepare for a storm by having a two-week supply of food and medication for their pets. An appropriate-sized crate while evacuating and transporting pets is also a must.

As climate change makes storms more frequent and intense, Florida community foundations are looking for new ways to make sure they have resources on hand to support the public before, during and after a disaster. Some are establishing permanent disaster relief funds, the earnings of which can be used to quickly deploy money to frontline nonprofits as soon as a storm is forecasted.

National Hurricane Preparedness Week is underway and seeks to get residents prepared for whatever the upcoming hurricane season may bring.

Whether you’re a multi-generational Floridian or a brand new arrival to the Sunshine State — the key is to be prepared.