As the state opens a portal, homeowners can leverage $400 million in federal funds to support homes at risk of storm damage.
What one state program did to replace the roof and add new windows called Elevate Florida promises to do to raise structures that are high enough to be safe from storm surges .
Elevate Florida, which opened a portal for applicants this month, shares the same views as the one behind my safe Florida home. Both programs encourage property owners to improve their home opportunities to withstand the destruction of nature.
Since 2022, my Safe Florida home has been around for tens of thousands of homeowners to replace roofs, install hurricane impact windows, and replace other types of storm fire prevention projects. It distributes $576 million. That program matches all dollars that homeowners spend at up to $10,000 per person with state money of $2. It has proven to be so popular that the state stopped adopting new applications within two weeks of reopening last July.
Florida is currently being promoted. This presents a way that will allow the state to provide $400 million in federal funding and allows homeowners to cover 100% without out-of-pocket costs. Unlike similar flood prevention grants that come directly from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Florida promotions are managed statewide and promise a faster turnaround.
“We have this brand new program, and this is the first program in the country,” Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Emergency Management Agency, told the Senate committee. “We can actually create an entire homeowner between the insurance payments and the Elevate Florida program. When you access this money, there’s nothing you have to get out of your pocket.”
Build resilience for repeating hurricanes
It started with Hurricane Ian in 2022, and in 2024, the state’s Gulf side was repeatedly hit by Hurricanes Debbie, Helen and Milton. That means some structures have been repaired only to be damaged again.
Elevate Florida prioritizes homes that have been hit by repeated losses covered by the National Flood Insurance Program. The percentage of project costs covered by the grant depends on the number of times Mother Nature put a burden on the property in question. Those who have not been harmed may also be eligible.
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“We have had to leave the flood where we had to go to places that were not dependent on (insurers) (insurers), such as citizens’ (property) insurance, a national flood insurance program. We are trying to direct our owners more resilient,” Guthrie said. “And they become completely from repeated losses, or severely repeated losses, to non-loss property.”
For example, when Hurricane Helene reduced it to a tile rub, Roy’s restaurant at the Stein-Hatchee River bank was only nine months after Idolia’s comeback after the Hurricane. However, this program is particularly for homeowners.
State officials have designed the program as just one of the efforts to strengthen the wobble insurance market in Sunshine, where Floridians pay the highest premiums in the country.
You can avoid insurance claims by strengthening your structure to withstand the rage of nature. Without Florida building standards, Southwest Florida, upgraded after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, could have been hit by $1 billion to $3 billion in damage from Hurricane Ian.
The size of the grant depends on the scope of the project
But stretching Florida to get a large federal government thing can be more complicated than replacing windows for days after inspection or placing a roofer overhead. Unlike my safe Florida home, there is no limit to which size grants I get through Elevate Florida on the website.
However, when applied, it creates more hurdles. Soil studies may be included. And while some people may be 100% eligible for a water prevention project through insurance and grants, only those who can contribute up to 25% of the total project cost will be considered.
It helps to cover the improvements that will boost Florida.
cortionThe elevation of a structure with an elevation of an existing structure.
Construction will place an improved height building on the same site where the building or foundation has been partially or completely destroyed.
Wind mitigation that replaces or alters vulnerable parts of the structure to reduce the risk of wind damage.
Selling and dismantling for sellers willingly, so that community communities can acquire as open spaces.
Nature’s rage hits again
The building occupied by Suwannee Spirits, along with the US Post Office of the neighbouring Cedar Key, was flooded by a 1992 storm, recalls its owner, Stoney Smith. And when Hurricane Helen landed along the state’s Gulf Coast on September 26th, both buildings were flooded again. The post office was flooded with 9½ feet of water inside, and the liquor store had 7½ feet of water.
However, increasing the height of the building does not take into account Smith’s property a block away from the Gulf coast waters. He said it would be too high enough to avoid the next major flood, and the public would not be able to access it.
“You need to survive the storm… we’ve had over 65 years of ownership,” Smith said. “It’s a fight.”
He expects to sell liquor again at Suwanee Spirits before the next hurricane season begins on June 1st.
“We’ll be part of the community again,” he said. “I don’t know if we’ll make money again, but we’ll be part of the community.”
To apply for Florida Elemate, go to https://fdem-resmit.my.site.com/elevate/ or call 877-353-8835.
Anne Geggis is the insurance company of Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Florida Network. You can contact her at ageggis@gannett.com. Help us support our journalism. Subscribe today.
