Florida needs to streamline and strengthen hurricane recovery

Florida is a national model for storm response and recovery. The resilience of our community in the aftermath of a natural disaster is a testament to our residents, first responders and paramedics. After each hurricane season, Florida Legislature and Governor DeSantis are taking into account the lessons they have learned to improve the state’s preparation for response and recovery from bad weather. After my hometown of Indian Rocks Beach was hit hard by hurricanes Milton and Helen, I felt a deep responsibility to take on the challenges the community faced with Tallahassee and sponsor this year’s comprehensive hurricane relief, response and recovery laws.

We all know that the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season left a major challenge for Floridians. Record-level storms have involved much of the state and have caused damage to homes and businesses. Florida has experienced historic coastal and inland floods that overwhelmed roads and drainage systems, leaving many left in rising water.

The devastation of these storms spanned extensively through North Carolina, across South Florida and into the Panhandle. My family, friends, neighbors and I have experienced this loss and difficulties here in Pinellas County. There, many families were evacuated and residents had to be rescued from their homes. Amid the immediate shock of destruction, precious heirlooms, family photo albums and memorabilia were washed away by the flood, leaving us with irreplaceable losses in our community. It was truly heartbreaking to see my constituents, friends and my own family choose through piles of sand and debris.

To add humiliation to the injury, when Floridians begin to pick up their works after the storm, families and businesses encounter difficult rules for redevelopment and increased permits and testing, hampering recovery efforts and recovery after a serious hurricane. Evacuated residents live in unfinished and temporary homes in the driveway where the homes of their beloved family once stood. Local businesses are struggling with losses in stock and declining customer base, struggling to reopen and facing additional financial burdens. Excessive delays in permits and inspections combined with strained local resources and bureaucratic hurdles underscore the need for systematic improvements.

We introduced Senate Bill 180 to address statewide hurricane recovery, response and resilience and streamline permitting resources and restructuring guidelines for communities across the state. The burden of losses is large after a natural disaster. The bureaucracy should not overshadow citizen needs or prevent families and businesses from rebuilding and strengthening communities. Floridians need access to the tools they need to successfully rebuild without facing higher fees or taxes.

SB 180 prohibits increased permits or testing costs for 180 days after a hurricane or natural disaster. The bill also streamlines local restructuring that allows guides, incorporates new restructuring guidelines, allowing homeowners to increase the size of their homes to 130% of their original area.

When Hurricane Milton landed on Florida’s coast, Hurricane Helen debris tended to stay on many neighbourhood streets, risking more lives and destroying even more homes. SB 180 requires local governments to improve debris management and set up procedures and resources to lay the foundation for efficient and rapid removal.

The bill will increase disaster management plans, emergency resource coordination, financial transparency, and reporting across state and local government disaster management agencies. Medically trained members of the Florida State Guard may provide care to civilians and military personnel during emergencies or disasters. It also increases evacuation timelines for Florida Keys residents to safely travel from the cone of the hurricane projection path.

While recovery continues, the challenges we face highlight the importance of implementing proactive measures to support families and communities before, during and after the severe weather. I am grateful to my constituents, Florida senators, and local and statewide leaders for providing communities that have impacted the communities that have impacted them in order to effectively plan, prepare and respond.

Nick Dicegree is a Florida state senator representing the 18th district, which is part of Pinellas County. He is the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee on Transport, Tourism and Economic Development.