Florida CFO Alex Sink recently scored a win for FL taxpayers with the Internal Revenue Service. In a press release dated Dec 12, she announced that the IRS has agreed to exempt from federal income tax all My Safe Florida Home grants paid to FL homeowners. That IRS ruling, first applied for by Sink in June, will save FL taxpayers around $2.5 million in federal tax liability.
The MSFH program is still one of the best ways for FL homeowners to begin to harden their home against hurricane damage. As noted in the release, many homeowners can realize savings in their insurance premiums without any improvements being made. Sink reports that 76% of homeowners who got the report and presented it to their insurance carriers were eligible on average for a $210 premium reduction based on the present condition of their home.
Even with recent eligibility changes, such as reducing the limits on the insured value of homes and restricting coverage to Wind-Borne Debris Regions only, MSFH has helped over 100,000 Floridians protect their homes from potential hurricane damage. That has got to be a good thing.
If you qualify, or think you do, contact the folks at My Safe Florida Home. Go to the MSFH website, or call them at 1.866.513.6734.
Regards,
Stormy
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
MSFH Program Still Alive
The hurricane season has ended, sure, but the problem of protecting homes from hurricane damage still has to be addressed for many FL homeowners. The 'off-season' is a great time to get the work done, without the impending threat of a hurrcane's approach.
The My Safe Florida Home program is not in an off season. Applications for the free home inspection continue to flood their office. Check them out if you haven't already. You won't be sorry.
Regards,
Stormy
The My Safe Florida Home program is not in an off season. Applications for the free home inspection continue to flood their office. Check them out if you haven't already. You won't be sorry.
Regards,
Stormy
Friday, November 30, 2007
Season Ends
In the waning hours of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, a quick review is in order. Looking back, the forecasters were not very accurate with their projections. In May, both the National Hurricane Center and Dr. William Gray of the Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project had estimated above-average activity. Even after a late-season adjustment that lowered those forecasts somewhat, they still called for 13 to 16 named storms. Seven to nine of these were predicted to become hurricanes, and four of those were expected to attain major (Class 3 or greater) status.
Actual numbers were lower. Hurricane Noel, which made landfall in early November, was the last of 14 named storms that occurred this season. Five (Dean, Felix, Humberto, Lorenzo and Noel) became hurricanes, and three of those (Dean, Felix and Noel) were Category 3 or higher. Not a bad record, as to the number of storms, with 14 falling right in the middle of the forecast. The intensity of most of the storms, however were lower than the experts had calculated. Only five hurricanes developed, when seven were forecast. The most intense were the two Category 5 storms, Dean and Felix. These two hurricanes made history by being the first two Category 5 hurricanes to make landfall in the same season. Felix was involved in another historic first, as well. On the day (Sept 4) Felix made landfall on Mexico's eastern coast, Pacific Hurricane Henriette also made landfall, on the west coast of Mexico. No two hurricanes had ever before made landfall on the same day. The season's last hurricane, Noel, was also a major storm, attaining Category 4 status and flooding vast areas of the Caribbean. Experts had forecast at least four intense hurricanes.
If you'd like to see official reports on the 2007 season, CSU's report reviewing the predictions of the season is published on the web. Go to CSU's website to see this and other reports. The CSU forecasters are pretty straightforward in trying to explain why the season did not develop as their models had suggested. Pretty detailed reading, but the crux of it seems to be that they really don't know for sure! They even present a rather humorous quote about it being easier to analyze meteorological history than it is to predict it!
NOAA also has posted a comprehensive review of the hurricane season. Although it does not go into explanations as to the forecasts, it is still a pretty good rundown of the season. You can read the NOAA report on their website.
As might be expected, the various media are sticking it to the forecasters. One of my main sources, Martin Merzer of the Miami Herald, treats them fairly kindly in his end of season review, even telling of the forecasters' concerns over their forecasting errors may lead people to discount future predictions as not reliable. The fear is that this may cause public safety issues in the event of an approaching hurricane.
CNN hits a little harder in their review, although the piece backs off a little and ends up being a season recap, without following up on their headline tease about the predictors.
Definitely the strangest attack on the experts' forecasts is by one Harris Rosen, the hotel tycoon out of central Florida. Mr Rosen, as recounted in a story by Orlando Local 6 News, claims billions of dollars have been lost due to lower tourism blamed on the forecasts. He evidently is contemplating a lawsuit against Dr Gray of CSU. Okay...
So, folks, that looks like it for the Eye for awhile...we'll be back occasionally through the coming months, and on into next hurricane season with another series of episodes...please look in on us if you can...thanks...
Best regards
Stormy
Actual numbers were lower. Hurricane Noel, which made landfall in early November, was the last of 14 named storms that occurred this season. Five (Dean, Felix, Humberto, Lorenzo and Noel) became hurricanes, and three of those (Dean, Felix and Noel) were Category 3 or higher. Not a bad record, as to the number of storms, with 14 falling right in the middle of the forecast. The intensity of most of the storms, however were lower than the experts had calculated. Only five hurricanes developed, when seven were forecast. The most intense were the two Category 5 storms, Dean and Felix. These two hurricanes made history by being the first two Category 5 hurricanes to make landfall in the same season. Felix was involved in another historic first, as well. On the day (Sept 4) Felix made landfall on Mexico's eastern coast, Pacific Hurricane Henriette also made landfall, on the west coast of Mexico. No two hurricanes had ever before made landfall on the same day. The season's last hurricane, Noel, was also a major storm, attaining Category 4 status and flooding vast areas of the Caribbean. Experts had forecast at least four intense hurricanes.
If you'd like to see official reports on the 2007 season, CSU's report reviewing the predictions of the season is published on the web. Go to CSU's website to see this and other reports. The CSU forecasters are pretty straightforward in trying to explain why the season did not develop as their models had suggested. Pretty detailed reading, but the crux of it seems to be that they really don't know for sure! They even present a rather humorous quote about it being easier to analyze meteorological history than it is to predict it!
NOAA also has posted a comprehensive review of the hurricane season. Although it does not go into explanations as to the forecasts, it is still a pretty good rundown of the season. You can read the NOAA report on their website.
As might be expected, the various media are sticking it to the forecasters. One of my main sources, Martin Merzer of the Miami Herald, treats them fairly kindly in his end of season review, even telling of the forecasters' concerns over their forecasting errors may lead people to discount future predictions as not reliable. The fear is that this may cause public safety issues in the event of an approaching hurricane.
CNN hits a little harder in their review, although the piece backs off a little and ends up being a season recap, without following up on their headline tease about the predictors.
Definitely the strangest attack on the experts' forecasts is by one Harris Rosen, the hotel tycoon out of central Florida. Mr Rosen, as recounted in a story by Orlando Local 6 News, claims billions of dollars have been lost due to lower tourism blamed on the forecasts. He evidently is contemplating a lawsuit against Dr Gray of CSU. Okay...
So, folks, that looks like it for the Eye for awhile...we'll be back occasionally through the coming months, and on into next hurricane season with another series of episodes...please look in on us if you can...thanks...
Best regards
Stormy
Friday, September 28, 2007
"It Ain't Over 'Till ..."
For you baseball and opera fans out there, you know how the above quote ends. I've used it for today's title because I think it is very appropriate to this hurricane season as well. With the 'peak' of the season having passed recently, it seems that there is a general attitude that we have nothing more to worry about from hurricanes.
With the last couple of storms (Ingrid and Jerry) having had little or no damaging effect, the tendency of folks might be to think we've made it through the season already.
Not so, grasshopper. In fact, some experts think that, for this year, the peak activity is about to begin. In support of that view, I offer exhibit #1: the current satellite image of the Gulf and Atlantic:
With the last couple of storms (Ingrid and Jerry) having had little or no damaging effect, the tendency of folks might be to think we've made it through the season already.
Not so, grasshopper. In fact, some experts think that, for this year, the peak activity is about to begin. In support of that view, I offer exhibit #1: the current satellite image of the Gulf and Atlantic:
This map is as busy with activity as it has been all season. On the far left, you can see Hurricane Lorenzo as it moves into Mexico, near Veracruz. For more information on Lorenzo, please see Martin Merzer's Miami Herald story. There are also some small, unorganized systems, one just off the south Florida coast and another still farther north that is the last of Tropical Storm Jerry. Of more interest is the system in the lower right of the image, Tropical Storm Karen. It is still very early to tell, but hurricane watchers are keeping an eye on Karen, and waiting to see how it develops. Here is a view of the current tracking map showing potential paths Karen may take:
Looks like it is heading northwest, which could take it right into Florida. It may also turn farther north, and head towards the mid-Atlantic coast. With its position still well east of the Antilles, all we can do is wait and see.
And yes, there are still other tropical depressions out there, and more are sure to form in the future. So don't get too complacent: As hurricane specialist Michelle Mainelli said recently "Just because it's officially Autumn doesn't mean that it's the end of the hurricane system."
Words of Wisdom, folks...Words of Wisdom.
Regards,
Stormy
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Season Rolls On
With the 'official' peak of this hurricane season just passed, activity has not slowed. Gabrielle turned out to the Atlantic this weekend after giving the Carolinas a good soaking and a good scare. CNN sources report that it was moving northeast out to sea at about 10 mph. Residents who rode it out said that it was not as bad as was first feared.
Meanwhile, the tropics continue to spawn new storms. Late Wednesday afternoon hurricane watchers were focused on two separate areas of low pressure, one in the Atlantic and one in the Gulf. It looked as though either one could win the race to be the next named storm. Later Wednesday evening the winner emerged from the Gulf to be called Humberto, and headed for the Texas Louisiana Gulf coast. Landfall of this fast developing storm was expected Wednesday night, with heavy rains and a 3 foot storm surge. One of the traits of fast developing storms is increased lightning activity. According to CNN weatherman Chad Myers, Humberto's lightning strikes tripled Wednesday afternoon. It grew fast, but not strong, since it started so close to land and could not gain strength over water. But the trouble with Humberto is its speed, which is very slow. This storm will hang around and, as James Franklin of the NHC says in a Miami herald story, "present a prolonged rainfall threat".
Almost as if not to be outdone, the depression in the Atlantic looks like it has the potential to be a monster. More than eleven hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles, it is officially called Tropical Depression Eight. Myers predicts it will attain tropical storm status of 39 mph winds by Thursday morning, and will then be named Ingrid. It's still early to tell its path, but given its location, the potential exists for growth. Dan Brown of NHC says that crosswinds will lessen in the near future, "which should allow for some strengthening" of Ingrid-to-be. And, as Myers says, "it has a lot of time to get bigger." Estimates have it gaining hurricane status by Monday.
And so it goes (nod to KV)...stay tuned; film at eleven...
Regards,
Stormy
Meanwhile, the tropics continue to spawn new storms. Late Wednesday afternoon hurricane watchers were focused on two separate areas of low pressure, one in the Atlantic and one in the Gulf. It looked as though either one could win the race to be the next named storm. Later Wednesday evening the winner emerged from the Gulf to be called Humberto, and headed for the Texas Louisiana Gulf coast. Landfall of this fast developing storm was expected Wednesday night, with heavy rains and a 3 foot storm surge. One of the traits of fast developing storms is increased lightning activity. According to CNN weatherman Chad Myers, Humberto's lightning strikes tripled Wednesday afternoon. It grew fast, but not strong, since it started so close to land and could not gain strength over water. But the trouble with Humberto is its speed, which is very slow. This storm will hang around and, as James Franklin of the NHC says in a Miami herald story, "present a prolonged rainfall threat".
Almost as if not to be outdone, the depression in the Atlantic looks like it has the potential to be a monster. More than eleven hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles, it is officially called Tropical Depression Eight. Myers predicts it will attain tropical storm status of 39 mph winds by Thursday morning, and will then be named Ingrid. It's still early to tell its path, but given its location, the potential exists for growth. Dan Brown of NHC says that crosswinds will lessen in the near future, "which should allow for some strengthening" of Ingrid-to-be. And, as Myers says, "it has a lot of time to get bigger." Estimates have it gaining hurricane status by Monday.
And so it goes (nod to KV)...stay tuned; film at eleven...
Regards,
Stormy
Friday, September 7, 2007
My Safe Florida Home Update
The My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program, administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services, was in the news recently on a couple of fronts.
On Wednesday, Florida CFO Alex Sink released some statistics about how the program has progressed so far. Ms. Sink, in a press release, stated that more than 106,000 Florida homeowners have applied for the free wind inspection offered by the program. This figure represents about 25 % of the MSFH goal of 400,000 homes inspected in the next two years. Over 86,000 wind inspections have already been completed, and of those, almost 75% are eligilbe for a wind insurance discount or credit. Sink estimates a potential savings statewide of more than $11 million.
A good start, says Stormy. And a great idea for ALL Florida homeowners. This is true because even if your home is not eligible for the matching grants through the program, you are still able to get the free wind inspection. This is valuable in and of itself, since, as Sink points out in the release, many "thousands of Floridians are able to save money on their wind insurance premiums without making a single improvement" on their homes.
That's right folks: it's possible that by submitting a certified mitigation form to their insurance carrier, some homeowners could save on premiums based on the current structure of their home.
Also in the news regarding MSFH were a couple of local politicians getting some good PR exposure by personally delivering grant checks to families in Lee and Charlotte County this week. Both State Senator Dave Aronberg (D) D-27, and Representative Michael Grant (R) D-71, delivered grant money to several families in their respective districts. MSFH press releases on Grant and Aronberg tell the details. Aronberg's visit was also aired as a segment on NBC-2 news, with a brief story posted on their website as well.
Any Floridian who lives in a single-family, site-built home is eligible for a free wind inspection through the MSFH program. If this applies to you, and you haven't already signed up for the wind inspection, why not? Go to http://www.mysafefloridahome.com/ or call 1.866.513.6734 and apply. It's a no-brainer...
Regards,
Stormy
On Wednesday, Florida CFO Alex Sink released some statistics about how the program has progressed so far. Ms. Sink, in a press release, stated that more than 106,000 Florida homeowners have applied for the free wind inspection offered by the program. This figure represents about 25 % of the MSFH goal of 400,000 homes inspected in the next two years. Over 86,000 wind inspections have already been completed, and of those, almost 75% are eligilbe for a wind insurance discount or credit. Sink estimates a potential savings statewide of more than $11 million.
A good start, says Stormy. And a great idea for ALL Florida homeowners. This is true because even if your home is not eligible for the matching grants through the program, you are still able to get the free wind inspection. This is valuable in and of itself, since, as Sink points out in the release, many "thousands of Floridians are able to save money on their wind insurance premiums without making a single improvement" on their homes.
That's right folks: it's possible that by submitting a certified mitigation form to their insurance carrier, some homeowners could save on premiums based on the current structure of their home.
Also in the news regarding MSFH were a couple of local politicians getting some good PR exposure by personally delivering grant checks to families in Lee and Charlotte County this week. Both State Senator Dave Aronberg (D) D-27, and Representative Michael Grant (R) D-71, delivered grant money to several families in their respective districts. MSFH press releases on Grant and Aronberg tell the details. Aronberg's visit was also aired as a segment on NBC-2 news, with a brief story posted on their website as well.
Any Floridian who lives in a single-family, site-built home is eligible for a free wind inspection through the MSFH program. If this applies to you, and you haven't already signed up for the wind inspection, why not? Go to http://www.mysafefloridahome.com/ or call 1.866.513.6734 and apply. It's a no-brainer...
Regards,
Stormy
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Two Firsts in Hurricane History
This hurricane season continues as experts predicted it would, with above normal activity making two historic firsts this past week. In both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, storm activity was making news.
With the memory of Hurricane Dean still fresh, central Mexico was again hit, this time by Hurricane Felix, another Category 5 storm that struck early Tuesday in Nicaragua. Felix's landfall, in the wake of Dean, marked the first time in recorded history that two category 5 hurricanes have made landfall in the same season.
Mexico was hit on both coasts this week, with Felix on the Atlantic side and Hurricane Henriette on the Pacific coast. Henriette came ashore near Cabo San Lucas, also on Tuesday with 80 mph winds. With Felix and Henriette both making landfall on Tuesday, it marked the first time that two hurricanes have made landfall on the same day. NOAA has released a satellite image showing both Felix and Henriette. Felix is still clearly a big storm in the picture, with its rotation visible. Henriette seems weak by comparison, without the clear rotation of Felix, but it still was strong enough to do damage to the west coast of Mexico.
As both storms run their course, rescue and aid operations are underway to help those caught in the path. (see story on this from Miami Herald). The vast majority of those affected are impoverished indigenous people living in the remote areas of the Nicaragua-Honduras border. Continuing rain and the threat of future flooding are making the work more difficult. They need all the help they can get. If you would like to help, the Red Cross is a good place to start. Go to their website (redcross.org) and give what you can, please.
While you are at it, don't forget to help yourself, too. If you have not yet made your own personal hurricane preparedness plan, it's still not too late. We here in Florida have been lucky so far this year. Will our luck hold? I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that it won't. Both Dean and Felix took southerly paths; what are the chances that will happen with the next one? Good luck is a funny thing: you'd like to get it, but you'd better not plan on it.
Regards,
Stormy
With the memory of Hurricane Dean still fresh, central Mexico was again hit, this time by Hurricane Felix, another Category 5 storm that struck early Tuesday in Nicaragua. Felix's landfall, in the wake of Dean, marked the first time in recorded history that two category 5 hurricanes have made landfall in the same season.
Mexico was hit on both coasts this week, with Felix on the Atlantic side and Hurricane Henriette on the Pacific coast. Henriette came ashore near Cabo San Lucas, also on Tuesday with 80 mph winds. With Felix and Henriette both making landfall on Tuesday, it marked the first time that two hurricanes have made landfall on the same day. NOAA has released a satellite image showing both Felix and Henriette. Felix is still clearly a big storm in the picture, with its rotation visible. Henriette seems weak by comparison, without the clear rotation of Felix, but it still was strong enough to do damage to the west coast of Mexico.
As both storms run their course, rescue and aid operations are underway to help those caught in the path. (see story on this from Miami Herald). The vast majority of those affected are impoverished indigenous people living in the remote areas of the Nicaragua-Honduras border. Continuing rain and the threat of future flooding are making the work more difficult. They need all the help they can get. If you would like to help, the Red Cross is a good place to start. Go to their website (redcross.org) and give what you can, please.While you are at it, don't forget to help yourself, too. If you have not yet made your own personal hurricane preparedness plan, it's still not too late. We here in Florida have been lucky so far this year. Will our luck hold? I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that it won't. Both Dean and Felix took southerly paths; what are the chances that will happen with the next one? Good luck is a funny thing: you'd like to get it, but you'd better not plan on it.
Regards,
Stormy
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