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Ian killed 75 people in Lee County, nearly half of the statewide death toll of 149, officials said. At that point, the National Hurricane Center flagged the possibility of a storm surge covering much of Cape Coral and Fort Myers. Parts of Fort Myers Beach had a 40 percent chance of a six-foot-high storm surge, according to the surge forecasts. In Lee County officials said they were waiting to make an assessment the next morning. Officials expanded their evacuation order later in the morning, and by the middle of the afternoon, Lee County officials were more urgent in their recommendation.

Persons: Ian, Lee County, Ron DeSantis, Lee, Fort Myers, ” Organizations: National Hurricane Service, National Hurricane Center, Fort Myers, Facebook Locations: Florida, Tampa, Fort Myers, Lee County, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, State, Coral, Fort, Cape Coral, Neighboring Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Charlotte, Sarasota County, Lee

☆ Ron DeSantis faces new leadership test as Hurricane Idalia barrels toward Florida
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Steve Contorno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —With the eyes of the country on Hurricane Idalia as it spins toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential ambitions are also under the spotlight as he puts his campaign on hold to manage the crisis at home. The Florida governor is also staving off a field of GOP contenders, who must now also balance sensitivities around Hurricane Idalia with their attempts to overcome DeSantis in the polls. DeSantis has also asserted that he could send his “Florida people” to the southern border to build a wall. “The governor of our state of Florida has created an environment ripe for this.”

Persons: Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, ” DeSantis, Ian, Republican Rick Scott, Hurricane Michael, Bill Nelson, Scott, Jeb Bush, George W, Bush, Chris Christie, Christie, “, ”, Alex Conant, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio’s, Andrew Romeo, ” Romeo, Hurricane Ian, Joe Biden –, Biden, Joe Biden, Saul Young, Donald Trump, Todd Belt, Angie Nixon Organizations: CNN, Gulf Coast , Florida Gov, Republican, White, Hurricane, US, GOP Gov, GOP, Knoxville News Sentinel, George Washington University, Democrats, Trump, ” Democratic, Jacksonville Locations: Gulf Coast , Florida, Tallahassee, Iowa, Florida, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Fort Myers Beach , Florida, Lee County, Florida’s Big, Jacksonville, DeSantis

CNN —Florida is bracing for “major impact” as Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to rapidly strengthen into a powerful Category 3 hurricane and aim for its Gulf Coast, threatening dangerous storm surge and winds, authorities said. “Idalia could become a hurricane later this morning, and is forecast to become a major hurricane by early Wednesday,” the National Hurricane Center said. The Florida National Guard activated: More than 5,000 National Guard members were activated to help respond to the storm. Idalia posed a “notable risk” of this phenomenon, the National Hurricane Center warned Monday, as it travels through the Gulf of Mexico. Cedar Key could be cut off by the high storm surge, National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome said.

Persons: Idalia, “, Ron DeSantis, It’s, Taylor, DeSantis, ” Barbara Tripp, ” Tripp, Ian —, Chris O'Meara, Jamie Rhome, “ I’m, ” Rhome, Andrew Kruczkiewicz, ” Organizations: CNN, Sunshine State, National Hurricane Center, ”, Carolinas, Tampa International, Pete, Clearwater International, Florida State University, University of Florida, M University . Emergencies, DeSantis, Florida National Guard, National Guard, US Navy, Navy, ., Pasadena Hospital, HCA, HCA Florida Trinity West Hospital, HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital, Tampa Fire, Facebook, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Columbia, Climate Locations: Florida, Gulf, Bend, Tampa, Tallahassee, Cuba, Mexico, Georgia, Carolinas, Hillsborough, Franklin, Levy, Citrus, Manatee, Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, Sarasota, HCA Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Tampa , Florida, Big, Idalia

☆ How does Storm Idalia compare to the most powerful hurricanes in US history?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Here is a list of some of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the mainland U.S. based on minimum atmospheric pressure, which scientists use to rate storm intensity. A lower pressure, measured in millibars, or mb, means a more powerful storm. UNNAMED FLORIDA KEYS HURRICANE, LABOR DAY 1935 (892 MB)The hurricane struck the Florida Keys as a Category 5 storm, the highest ranking on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale. After ravaging the Keys, the storm moved north off the western coast of Florida before turning inland. Ian almost hit as a Category 5 storm, with the wind speed falling just short of the threshold of 157 mph (252 km).

Persons: Ian, Marco Bello, Idalia, Florida . HURRICANE CAMILLE, Camille, MICHAEL, Michael, HURRICANE KATRINA, HURRICANE ANDREW, Andrew, HURRICANE IAN, Hurricane Ian, Rich McKay, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, National Hurricane Center, Florida Panhandle, U.S, HURRICANE, Texas Gulf, Hurricane, Thomson Locations: Fort Myers Beach , Florida, U.S, Florida, Florida , Georgia, Carolinas, FLORIDA, Florida . HURRICANE, Mississippi's Gulf, Central America, HURRICANE, New Orleans, South Miami, Dade County, TEXAS GULF, Texas, Texas Gulf Coast, Indianola, Galveston, Atlanta

☆ Idalia is expected to rapidly intensify in the extremely warm Gulf of Mexico. Here’s what that means
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Rachel Ramirez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Mike Lang/USA Today Network Workers and residents clear debris from a destroyed bar in Fort Myers on Saturday, October 1. Thomas Cordy/The Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network This aerial photo shows damaged homes and debris in Fort Myers Beach on Thursday. Wilfredo Lee/AP Jake Moses and Heather Jones explore a section of destroyed businesses in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, on Thursday. Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters Frederic and Mary Herodet board up their Gulf Bistro restaurant in St. Pete Beach, Florida, on Tuesday. Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire Sarah Peterson fills sandbags in Fort Myers Beach on September 24.

Persons: Ian —, Idalia, ” Brian McNoldy, Allison Wing, Florida State University . Hurricane Franklin, ”, Wing, ” McNoldy, Andrew Kruczkiewicz, Kruczkiewicz, Ricardo Arduengo, Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Hurricane, Evan Vucci, Greg Guidi, Thomas Bostic, Joe Raedle, Win McNamee, Stephanie Fopiano, Kenya Taylor, Mike Lang, Giorgio Viera, Jonathan Drake, Candy Miller, Ana Kapel, Amy Beth Bennett, Meg Kinnard, Shannon Stapleton, Steve Helber, Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentintel, Alex Brandon, Jim Watson, Eva Marie Uzcategui, Bob Levitt, Thomas Cordy, Wilfredo Lee, Jake Moses, Heather Jones, Douglas R, Clifford, Tom, Jonathan Strong, Kylie Dodd, Brenda Brennan, Sean Rayford, John Raoux, Stefanie Karas, ZUMA, Ian, Marco Bello, Ben Hendren, Pedro, Reuters Melvin Phillips, Crystal Vander, Bryan R, Smith, Hurricane Ian, Greg Lovett, Stephen M, Dowell, Zuram Rodriguez, Joe Cavaretta, Crews, Ramon Espinosa, Yamil Lage, Chris O'Meara, Maria Llonch, Willie J, Allen Jr, Alexandre Meneghini, Reuters Frederic, Mary Herodet, Pete, Adalberto Roque, Phelan M, Ryan Copenhaver, Siesta, Gregg Newton, Cathie Perkins, Martha Asencio, Sarah Peterson, Andrew West, ” Kruczkiewicz, McNoldy, you’re Organizations: CNN, National Hurricane Center, University of Miami, “, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Florida State University . Hurricane, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University, Getty, Fort Myers, Venice High, USA Today Network Workers, Reuters, South Florida Sun, AP, US Army National Guard, AP University of Central, Bloomberg, Texas, Force, USA, Tampa Bay Times, Zuma Workers, Orange County Government, An, AP Vehicles, NOAA, NASA, City, Naples Police, Anadolu Agency, Punta Gorda, El, El Nuevo Herald, TNS, Officials, Orlando Sentinel, AP Highways, Wednesday, Sentinel, AP People, Southwest, Tampa International Airport, Bistro, Vehicle, Kennedy Space Center, International, Costco, ZUMA Press, Hurricanes Locations: Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Matlacha , Florida, AFP, Fort Myers , Florida, Island , Florida, Fort, Fort Myers Beach, Kenya, North Port, Venice , Florida, Fort Myers, Myrtle Beach , South Carolina, South Florida, Quarterman, North Charleston , South Carolina, North Port , Florida, Sanibel, AP University of Central Florida, Orlando , Florida, Orlando, Charleston , South Carolina, New Smyrna Beach , Florida, Cape Coral , Florida, Palm Beach County , Florida, Fort Myers Beach , Florida, Naples , Florida, Orange County , Florida, Orange County, Punta Gorda , Florida, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte , Florida, Captiva, Port Charlotte, Iona , Florida, Bonita Springs , Florida, An Orlando, Sanibel , Florida, Tampa , Florida, Punta, Tampa, Roberts, El Nuevo, Stuart , Florida, Tampa Bay, Delray Beach , Florida, The, Hurricane, Pembroke Pines , Florida, Davie , Florida, Havana, Cuba, Batabano, Pinar del Rio, St, Pete Beach , Florida, Cape Canaveral , Florida, Cuban, Fanguito, Sarasota , Florida, Havana Bay, Kissimmee, Pinellas County , Florida, Augusta , Georgia, Columbia, South Carolina

☆ Ron DeSantis leaves campaign trail and returns to Florida amid crises
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Steve Contorno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Ron DeSantis left the campaign trail Sunday and returned to his state to navigate the crises. Before speaking on the storm, DeSantis read a statement addressing the attack at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville. DeSantis’ return to Florida to manage two high-profile crises comes as he has intensified his criticism of President Joe Biden’s response to the Maui wildfires. “As somebody that’s handled disasters in Florida, you’ve got to be activated. DeSantis was elected in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, a powerful, destructive storm that ripped through the Florida panhandle.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Idalia, ”, “, ” DeSantis, Donald Trump, we’re, Jeff Duncan’s, Casey, Bryan Griffin, Joe Biden’s, Biden, “ Biden, that’s, you’ve, You’ve, rallys, Carlos Guillermo Smith, Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, Hurricane Michael, Ian Organizations: CNN, Republican, GOP, South Carolina Rep, Faith, National Hurricane Center, Hawkeye State, Jacksonville Locations: Gulf of Mexico, Florida’s, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Florida, South Carolina, Cuba, Mexico, of Mexico, Iowa, Milwaukee, Georgia, Orlando, Israel, Hurricane, DeSantis

CNN —A hurricane watch has been issued for portions of Florida’s Gulf Coast as the state braces for Tropical Storm Idalia, which is expected to strengthen to a hurricane and make landfall this week. The hurricane watch stretches from Englewood to Indian Pass, including Tampa Bay, according to the National Hurricane Center’s Sunday afternoon update. In addition to the hurricane watch, a tropical storm watch has been issued for the Gulf Coast of Florida from Englewood to Chokoloskee and the Dry Tortugas. Idalia is forecast to drop 3 to 6 inches of rain on western Cuba, Florida’s west coast, the Panhandle and southern Georgia, with isolated totals of 10 inches, the hurricane center said. Anyone living in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Cuba, and the northern Gulf and Florida coast should monitor the forecast in the coming days.

Persons: Idalia, ”, Ron DeSantis, Floridians, DeSantis, Joe Biden, Lagartos, Franklin, Storm Franklin, Hurricane Franklin Organizations: CNN, Hurricane, Channel, Carolinas, Wednesday, Florida Panhandle, . Florida Gov, National Guardsmen, Patrol, . Schools, White, Florida Division, Emergency Management, National Hurricane Center, NOAA, Air Force Hurricane Locations: Florida’s Gulf, Englewood, Tampa, Gulf Coast of Florida, Chokoloskee, Cozumel, Mexico, Yucatán, Cuba, Bend, Florida, Gulf, Gulf of Mexico, Florida’s, Georgia, Tallahassee, Hernando County, United States, Mexico’s Yucatán, Tulum, Pinar del Río, of Youth, Chokoloskee , Florida, Tortugas , Florida, of Mexico, Caribbean, Bermuda, Hurricane, East Coast, Franklin

☆ The looming crisis that's going to crush homeowners from coast to coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Taylor Dorrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

To maintain profitability, insurance companies have to take in more in monthly premium payments from customers than they pay out in damage claims. This has prompted insurance companies to back out of certain markets or pressure states to raise caps on premiums. Without robust rate caps such as those in California, insurance costs have risen by over 200% while DeSantis has been in office. He also signed legislation in December that protects insurance companies from liability claims and disincentivizes homeowners from filing claims to begin with. Despite these policies, insurance prices have continued to go up and insurers have continued to flee the market.

Persons: Cinda Larimer, Larimer's, Larimer, Anthony Roach, Larimer's who's, I've, Roach, Chubb, Justin Sullivan, Benjamin Keys, Anita Waters, Waters, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Desantis, Hurricane Ian, Dale, Deb Weideling, they've, Keys, Philip Mulder, Jeffrey Greenberg, Jeff Goodell, Xavier Cortada, I'm, Cortada, we're, Betsy, Cinda Larimer wasn't, , haven't, Taylor Dorrell Organizations: Navy, Insurance, Rush, Allstate, American International Group, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, US Army Corps of Engineers, . Farmers Insurance, AAA, Washington Post, National Bureau of Economic Research, US Treasury, Universal, Getty, Miami, Dakotas, Nationwide, Penn, National Flood Insurance, FAIR, Bay Area Locations: Paradise , California, Paradise, Sacramento, California, , California, . State, Florida, South Carolina, South Florida, Fort Myers Beach, Hurricane, In Miami, States, Louisiana , Oregon, Colorado, Hawaii, Coast, Minnesota, Midwest, Bay, Columbus , Ohio

☆ Biden told Maui wildfire survivors that he can relate, citing a small fire he had in his kitchen in 2004
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

President Joe Biden met with survivors of the Maui wildfires in Lahaina on Monday. He told the audience that he could relate to them because his house caught on fire in 2004. But according to news reports at the time, the blaze was small and contained to his kitchen. Biden described how lightning struck a pond by his Delaware home, hitting a wire, and coming up underneath his home into the heating and air conditioning ducts. Last year, he also told survivors of Hurricane Ian in Florida that he "lost an awful lot of" his Delaware home in the fire, per The New York Times.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Jill, Biden Organizations: Service, Associated Press, New York Times, Fire Company, New York Post Locations: Maui, Lahaina, Wall, Silicon, Delaware, Lahaina —, Washington ,, Hurricane, Florida, Cranston

☆ Why Maui’s rebuilding effort will be so expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

All told, doing business in Hawaii is about 30% more expensive than the cost of doing business in the rest of the United States, according to Moody Analytics. “Based on similar historical events, this is likely conservative, as building delays and supply and demand cause additional pressures on reconstruction costs,” said Verisk. Construction permitting generally takes longer in Hawaii than most mainland locations, said Jessica Leorna, CEO of the state’s Building Industry Association. That’s especially true for construction workers, who were in short supply even before the fires, according to the state’s Building Industry Association. And workers from elsewhere in the state or the Southeast could drive home on weekends,” he said.

Persons: ”, Beau Nobmann, Jae C, ” Jason Thies, Nobmann, Jessica Leorna, Jones, it’s, Adam Kamins, there’s, Ian, “ That’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Moody Analytics, HPM, Homes, Industry Association, Labor, Labor Department, state’s, Moody’s Analytics, Moody’s Locations: New York, Maui, United States, Hawaii, Lahaina , Hawaii, Canada, Asia, West Coast, California, Washington, Hawaii’s, Florida

☆ Rapid intensification, explained
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Jennifer Gray | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

So as the climate crisis forces up ocean temperatures, rapid intensification becomes more likely, pushing storms to explode at a rapid pace into deadly hurricanes, scientists say. Mike Lang/USA Today Network Workers and residents clear debris from a destroyed bar in Fort Myers on Saturday, October 1. Thomas Cordy/The Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network This aerial photo shows damaged homes and debris in Fort Myers Beach on Thursday. Wilfredo Lee/AP Jake Moses and Heather Jones explore a section of destroyed businesses in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, on Thursday. Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire Sarah Peterson fills sandbags in Fort Myers Beach on September 24.

Persons: ”, Phil Klotzbach, Klotzbach, ” Klotzbach, Ricardo Arduengo, Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Hurricane, Evan Vucci, Greg Guidi, Thomas Bostic, Joe Raedle, Win McNamee, Stephanie Fopiano, Kenya Taylor, Mike Lang, Giorgio Viera, Jonathan Drake, Candy Miller, Ana Kapel, Amy Beth Bennett, Meg Kinnard, Shannon Stapleton, Steve Helber, Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentintel, Alex Brandon, Jim Watson, Eva Marie Uzcategui, Bob Levitt, Thomas Cordy, Wilfredo Lee, Jake Moses, Heather Jones, Douglas R, Clifford, Tom, Jonathan Strong, Kylie Dodd, Brenda Brennan, Sean Rayford, John Raoux, Stefanie Karas, ZUMA, Ian, Marco Bello, Ben Hendren, Pedro, Reuters Melvin Phillips, Crystal Vander, Bryan R, Smith, Hurricane Ian, Greg Lovett, Stephen M, Dowell, Zuram Rodriguez, Joe Cavaretta, Crews, Ramon Espinosa, Yamil Lage, Chris O'Meara, Maria Llonch, Willie J, Allen Jr, Alexandre Meneghini, Reuters Frederic, Mary Herodet, Pete, Adalberto Roque, Phelan M, Ryan Copenhaver, Siesta, Gregg Newton, Cathie Perkins, Martha Asencio, Sarah Peterson, Andrew West, Ida, Laura, Hurricane Dorian Organizations: CNN, of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, North Atlantic, Getty, Fort Myers, Venice High, USA Today Network Workers, Reuters, South Florida Sun, AP, US Army National Guard, AP University of Central, Bloomberg, Texas, Force, USA, Tampa Bay Times, Zuma Workers, Orange County Government, An, AP Vehicles, NOAA, NASA, City, Naples Police, Anadolu Agency, Punta Gorda, El, El Nuevo Herald, TNS, Officials, Orlando Sentinel, AP Highways, Wednesday, Sentinel, AP People, Southwest, Tampa International Airport, Bistro, Vehicle, Kennedy Space Center, International, Costco, ZUMA Press, Louisiana, Simpson Locations: North, Matlacha , Florida, AFP, Fort Myers , Florida, Island , Florida, Fort, Fort Myers Beach, Kenya, North Port, Venice , Florida, Fort Myers, Myrtle Beach , South Carolina, South Florida, Quarterman, North Charleston , South Carolina, North Port , Florida, Sanibel, Florida, AP University of Central Florida, Orlando , Florida, Orlando, Charleston , South Carolina, New Smyrna Beach , Florida, Cape Coral , Florida, Palm Beach County , Florida, Fort Myers Beach , Florida, Naples , Florida, Orange County , Florida, Orange County, Punta Gorda , Florida, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte , Florida, Captiva, Port Charlotte, Iona , Florida, Bonita Springs , Florida, An Orlando, Sanibel , Florida, Tampa , Florida, Punta, Tampa, Roberts, El Nuevo, Stuart , Florida, Tampa Bay, Delray Beach , Florida, The, Hurricane, Pembroke Pines , Florida, Davie , Florida, Havana, Cuba, Batabano, Pinar del Rio, St, Pete Beach , Florida, Cape Canaveral , Florida, Cuban, Fanguito, Sarasota , Florida, Havana Bay, Kissimmee, Pinellas County , Florida, Bahamas

☆ Oceans absorb 90% of the heat from climate change — here's why record ocean temps are so harmful
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Catherine Clifford | In Catclifford | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +22 min

"Over 90 percent of the excess energy on earth due to climate change is found in warmer oceans, some of it in surface oceans and some at depth." Put simply, the greenhouse gases serve to trap more heat, some of which is absorbed by the ocean," Kirtman told CNBC. In addition to the daily record on July 31, the monthly sea surface temperature for July was the hottest July on record, "by far," Copernicus said. CopernicusThese record sea surface temperatures arise from multiple factors, including the El Niño weather pattern, which is currently in effect. "These climate variations occur when sea surface temperature patterns of warming and cooling self-reinforce by changing patterns of winds and precipitation that deepen the sea surface temperature changes."

Persons: Baylor, Carlos E, Del Castillo, Castillo, Benjamin Kirtman, Kirtman, Copernicus, Gavin Schmidt, Kemper, Zeke Hausfather, Sarah Kapnick, Kapnick, Kempler, Hurricane Ian, Michael Lowry, Lowry, Rainer Froese, Daniel Pauly, Pauly, Vigfus, pollack, Sean Gallup, Lorenz Hauser, Hauser, Froese, Phanor Montoya, Javier, Carolyn Cole, Hans W, Paerl, Justin Sullivan, Christopher Gobler, Gobler, Gary Griggs, Kimberly McKenna, Angela Weiss, Griggs, it's, Judith Kildow, Kildow, It's Organizations: International, Baylor Fox, Kemper, Brown University, CNBC, Ecology Laboratory, NASA, University of Miami, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Fox, El, Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, heatwave, NOAA, Northern Hemisphere, Miami Herald, Tribune, Service, Getty, Helmholtz, Ocean Research, University of British Columbia's Institute, Fisheries, School of, Fishery Sciences, Restoration Foundation, Coral Restoration Foundation, Looe Key, Los Angeles Times, University of North, Chapel Hill's Institute of Marine Sciences, Berkeley Marina, San, Quality, Centers for Disease Control, Stony Brooke University's School of Marine, Atmospheric Sciences, University of California, Stockton University Coastal Research, Afp, Ocean Economics Locations: Florida, El, Pacific, Berkeley, Fort Myers, Hurricane, Germany, New York, Nova Scotia, Hofn, Hornafjordur, Iceland, Seattle, Alaska, Looe, University of North Carolina, San Francisco Bay, Berkeley , California, San Francisco, Europe, Santa Cruz, Atlantic City , New Jersey, Atlantic City, Antarctica, Greenland

☆ Americans flocked to Florida for low taxes and sunshine, but an under-the-radar cost of homeownership keeps rising: insurance
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Jennifer Streaks | Senior Personal Finance Reporter | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Florida homeowners are dealing with rapidly increasing homeowners insurance rates. Due to inflation and severe weather, Florida insurance rates are expected to increase by 40% in 2023. The Insurance Information Institute projects that property insurance rates in Florida will increase by at least 40% in 2023. Increase your insurance deductibleIncreasing your homeowners insurance deductible generally will lower your insurance premiums. Were you in the military, or a member of an alumni association or employment association that offers insurance discounts?

Persons: Mark Friedlander, Friedlander, it's, Rick Sinkfield, Sinkfield, Ian, Freidlander, Floridians Organizations: Service, Insurance Information Institute, Communications, Insurance, United Property, UPC, Hurricane Ian, Florida Legislature Locations: Florida, Wall, Silicon, New York, New Jersey

☆ These are the states in America that are the least prepared for extreme weather
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Scott Cohn | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Some states are in good shape to handle whatever the climate throws at them, but these are the states most at risk. 2023 Infrastructure score: 228 out of 390 points (Top States grade: B) Climate Extremes Index: 21.16% Properties at risk: 45.2% Renewable energy: 10.6%9. 2023 Infrastructure score: 165 out of 390 points (Top States grade: D) Climate Extremes Index: 8.7% Properties at risk: 2.8% Renewable energy: 12%8. Connecticut is home to the nation's first "green bank," which uses public dollars to leverage private investment in renewable energy. 2023 Infrastructure score: 227 out of 390 points (Top States grade: B) Climate Extremes Index: 21.16% Properties at risk: 61% Renewable energy: 12.5%1.

Persons: Jeremy Porter, York Snow, Joed Viera, Kelly Giddens, Daniel Hinton, Jessica Mcgowan, wades, Tim Boyle, Tony Evers, Scott Olson, Josh Edelson, Gavin Newsom, —, Marcellus, Tom Wolf, Josh Shapiro, Ida, Brendan McDermid, Hurricane Ida, Richard Bunting, Alex Hamilton, Hurricane Irene, Mark Wilson, Joe Biden's, Ted Shaffrey, Hurricane Nicole, Paul Hennessy, Marco Bello Organizations: Street Foundation, CNBC, Business, First, Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, U.S, Department of Energy, Afp, Getty, National Weather Service, Micron Technology, Alabama, University of Alabama, Illinois —, Badger State, Gov, Carolina, Carolinas, AFP, EQT Corp, Bloomberg, Reuters, Garden, State, Anadolu Agency, Sunshine State, Farmers Insurance, AAA Locations: States, York, Buffalo , New York, Empire, New York, Syracuse, Alabama TUSCALOOSA, AL, Cedar, Tuscaloosa , Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Gulf, Wisconsin, Prairie du Chien , WI, Hurricane, Charleston , South Carolina, Florida, Georgetown , South Carolina, South Carolina, California, Oroville, Oroville , California, , California, Pennsylvania, Washington Township , Pennsylvania, U.S, Jersey, Oakwood, Elizabeth , New Jersey, Garden State , New Jersey, New Jersey, Delaware, Lewes , Delaware, Rhode, Connecticut, New Haven , Connecticut, Wilbur, , Florida, Louisiana, Kenner , Louisiana

☆ Farmers Insurance pulls out of Florida, affecting 100,000 policyholders
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Farmers Insurance will stop offering its policies in Florida, including home, auto and umbrella policies, in a change that will force thousands of people to change their insurance provider. Farmers serves 100,000 customers in Florida but said there will be no impact to customers who use Farmers’ owned subsidiaries like Foremost Signature and Bristol West. “Such policies will continue to be available to serve the insurance needs of Floridians,” Farmers Insurance spokesperson Trevor Chapman said in a statement. Florida requires affected policyholders to receive a 120-day notice that their policies aren’t being renewed. Earlier this week, Farmers limited new homeowners insurance policies in California because of high costs and wildfire risks.

Persons: Trevor Chapman, don’t, aren’t, ” Mark Friedlander, ” Friedlander, hasn’t, ”, Friedlander, It’s, Hurricane Ian, Harvey Organizations: New, New York CNN — Farmers Insurance, Farmers, Bristol West, ” Farmers Insurance, ”, Insurance Information Institute, CNN, Insurance, Institute, Atlantic, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Farm, Allstate Locations: New York, Florida, California

NEW YORK/LONDON, July 11 (Reuters) - One of the world's top insurers is mulling offloading its property reinsurance business in a bid to cut its exposure to natural disasters like hurricanes, according to three people familiar with the matter. Prices for U.S. property catastrophe reinsurance rose by as much as 50% at a key July 1 renewal date, broker Gallagher Re said in a recent report. AXA has been trying to reduce the exposure of its AXA XL property and casualty (P&C) division - which houses XL Re - in an effort to make earnings more predictable. This has caused the reinsurance business to shrink, with revenues dropping by nearly a third last year to $3.2 billion, according to AXA's 2022 accounts. In May, American International Group (AIG.N) agreed the sale of its reinsurance arm Validus Re for roughly $3 billion, or about 1.4 times the unit's book value.

Persons: Reinsurers, Hurricane Ian, Gallagher Re, David French, Pablo Mayo, Amy, Jo Crowley, Carolyn Cohn, Echo Wang, Silvia Aloisi, John O'Donnell, Conor Humphries Organizations: AXA SA, XL, Covea, AXA, AXA XL, American International, Fidelis Insurance Holdings, Reuters, Hamilton Insurance, Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro, Thomson Locations: Bermuda, New York, London, Paris

☆ It’s Toxic Slime Time on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

For thousands of years, Lake Okeechobee pumped life into Florida’s swampy interior. Lake Okeechobee 10 miles Lake Okeechobee 5 miles Lake Okeechobee 5 miles Algal bloom extent on June 12 Source: Satellite image by Landsat By Leanne AbrahamRainy season is just starting, but by late June the lake’s level was roughly two feet higher than the United States Army Corps of Engineers would like. Sunrise over Pahokee and Lake Okeechobee. “Like clockwork.”Similar outbreaks have struck lakes elsewhere, including Lake Champlain, Lake Erie and Lake Tahoe. Equally challenging to grasp is the idea that the whole new lake, as big as it sounds, will fill to capacity if only six inches of Lake Okeechobee is sent its way.

Persons: Ian, Fort Myers, Stuart —, Leanne Abraham Rainy, ”, Star Robinson, it’s, Herbert Hoover, Palm Beach Herbert Hoover, Leanne Abraham, Gil Smart, Robinson, It’s, Herbert Hoover Dike, Roy Senff, Okeechobee’s outflows, Sherwin, Williams, Hoover, Stuart, Nature, Col, James Booth of, Tim Harper, “, Biden, Ron DeSantis, Eric Eikenberg, Bill Mitsch, Mother Nature, Floridians, Stefani Hughes, Smart, VoteWater aren’t, They’re Organizations: United States Army Corps, Engineers, Army Corps of Engineers, Orlando Area, Air, Palm Beach Herbert, Everglades, States Geological Survey, Everett, Inc, Fort, Florida Water Management District, Florida Legislature, Gov, Everglades Foundation, Research, Florida Gulf Coast University Locations: Okeechobee, Fort, Pahokee, Lake Okeechobee, Ala, Orlando, Fla, Kissimmee, Florida, Myers, Gulf, Mexico, Miami, Ga, Palm, Everglades Miami, Lake Champlain, Lake Erie, Tahoe, Stuart, U.S.D.A, Manhattan, South Florida

☆ U.S. property catastrophe reinsurance rates rise up to 50% on July 1-report
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Higher reinsurance rates can affect the premiums which insurers charge to their customers. U.S. reinsurance rates for policies which previously faced claims for natural catastrophes rose 30-50%, Gallagher Re said. Reinsurance rates for similar policies in Florida rose 30-40%, the broker added. State Farm said in May it would stop selling new insurance policies to homeowners in California. Reinsurance rates for some types of aviation war policies rose by up to 100% on the July 1 renewal date, Gallagher Re said.

Persons: Mike Blake, Gallagher Re, James Vickers, Gallagher, Hurricane Ian, Aon, Carolyn Cohn, Noor Zainab Hussain, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Farm, Gallagher Re, Reuters, Vickers, Hurricane, U.S, Industry, Boeing, Thomson Locations: Laguna Niguel , California, U.S, California, Florida, In Florida, Russia, Khartoum, London, Bengaluru

☆ As the climate crisis intensifies, insurers will likely reshape where people live — leaving desperate homeowners in the lurch
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-02 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Nick's dilemma illustrates how the climate crisis is touching even the most mundane aspects of owning a home. That's been stagnant because of strict state regulations on what insurance companies can charge. She's one of many homeowners who for years have bought policies from companies that aren't approved by Florida's insurance regulators. Houses that would cost $1 million or more to rebuild are not covered by the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance, leaving them vulnerable to a disaster. Now he's not sure whether he — or anyone — will ever get the chance to live in his former neighborhood again.

Persons: —, Nick, hadn't, McKinney, Hurricane, Madelyn Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Ian, Rodriguez's townhome, Bob Stephens, Stephens, It's, he'd, he's Organizations: Service, California FAIR, Insurance, Institute, State Farm, Allstate, Insurance Information Institute, Property Insurance, Los Angeles Locations: Klamath, Forest, Oregon, McKinney, California, Florida, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Broward County, Marathon , Florida, —, Marathon

☆ Extreme weather is hitting parts of the US. That’s bad news for the economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

All told, at least a third of the US population is currently grappling with costly extreme weather events. In 2022, extreme weather events cost the United States about $165 billion, according to the NOAA. Sector by sector: Extreme weather impacts the economy writ large, but certain sectors tend to suffer more than others. Agriculture, construction, tourism and renewable energy sectors also tend to feel the brunt of extreme weather events. “We’re really poorly adapted to the extreme weather and climate that we have right now,” said Mankin.

Persons: New York CNN — We’ve, ”, Justin Mankin, Nam, we’ve, Andrew Watterson, Ian, “ We’re, Mark Thompson, it’s, —, Vladimir Putin, Brent, That’s Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Dartmouth College, Sunday, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Travelers, Southwest Airlines, O'Hare International, Agriculture, Rystad Energy, Western, Federal Reserve Bank of New, Consumer Locations: New York, Texas, United States, Chicago, Florida, Russia, China, India, Russian, Moscow, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

☆ 'We're in a perfect storm.' Insurers flee parts of America amid the climate crisis and rising costs to rebuild.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Some insurers have stopped selling new policies in states like California and Florida. "We're seeing escalating catastrophe risk, a historic rise in inflation, and the cost to recover and rebuild homes is increasing." Still, Friedlander doesn't see Florida's insurance market improving any time soon. Beyond the rising risk of disaster, property insurers are also dealing with construction costs that are outpacing inflation, according to an analysis by the Insurance Information Institute. Insurers saw a 55% increase in rebuilding and replacement costs between 2019 and 2022.

Persons: Carole Walker, Walker, Mark Friedlander, Friedlander, Ian, Ron DeSantis Organizations: Service, Rocky Mountain Insurance Association, State Farm, Allstate, Colorado Division of Insurance, FAIR, Property Insurance Corporation, Insurance, Research, Institute, Contractors Locations: California, Florida . Colorado, Gulf Coast, California , Colorado , Florida , Louisiana, Texas, Colorado , New Mexico , Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, California , Louisiana, Florida

☆ Offices are turning into amenity-filled campuses to entice employees back to work
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Businesses are stuck with trillions of dollars of commercial real estate they need to use. But supply and demand are starting to even out: National demand for office space in May was up 13% from April. But are corporations downsizing the amount of office space they rent as they permanently shift some roles to work from home? Have you seen a shift in the commercial real estate market since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March? The commercial real estate market is largely a regional business, landlords are local.

Persons: That’s, Bell, Nick Romito, It’s, We’ve, hasn’t, Chris Isidore, Ella Nilsen, Ian, ’ We’ve, Anna Cooban, Greene King, Shepherd Neame, ” Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, US Treasury Department, Federal Reserve, Securities and Exchange Commission, CBRE, Estate Services, Covid, Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, Farm, Allstate, State, Brewers, CNN, Heineken Locations: New York, United States, Silicon, Florida, California, California , Florida, Louisiana, United Kingdom

New York CNN —Homeowners insurance is becoming more expensive and, in many places, more difficult to find. The companies also blame limits placed on insurance premiums in some states, including California. Insurance premiums nationwide aren’t up significantly – only 1.6% in the last 12 months according to the Consumer Price Index, the government’s main inflation measure. For instance, in Louisiana, 17% of homeowners insurance policyholders had their policies canceled last year, according to an annual report from Louisiana State University. Meanwhile, more than two-thirds of policyholders said homeowners and flood insurance are more expensive in Louisiana than other states.

Persons: Ian, ”, Matthew Carletti, “ They’ve, it’s, ” Carletti, Dave Jones, ” Jones, policyholders, Carletti, Frank Frievalt’s, ” Frievalt, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN — Homeowners, Farm, Allstate, JMP Securities, Consumer, State Farm, State, Louisiana State University, Citizens Property Insurance, UN Locations: New York, Florida, California, California , Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, , California

☆ Taking a Late-in-Life Victory Lap, Thanks to His Novel’s ‘Lunatic Energy’
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Alexandra Alter | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Robert Plunket was living in a trailer park in Englewood, Fla., with his pug, Meatball, when an email interrupted his life of quiet retirement. “I did feel like an obscure has-been,” Plunket said, “because that’s what I was, technically.”Now, Plunket is relishing his new status as a former has-been. This month, the independent publisher New Directions reissued his novel, “My Search for Warren Harding,” a biting comedy about a scholar who goes to extreme, morally questionable lengths to access letters Warren Harding sent to his mistress. What’s even more unusual about Plunket, and his unlikely return, is how stealthily influential his fiction has been over the decades. His admirers include writers like the novelist Ann Beattie and the journalist Frank Rich, comedians like Amy Sedaris and Larry David.

Persons: Robert Plunket, Meatball, Plunket, ” Plunket, Warren Harding, ”, Danzy Senna, Ann Beattie, Frank Rich, Amy Sedaris, Larry David, Madonna, Ian Organizations: New Locations: Englewood, Fla, New York

☆ Without climate change, these extreme weather events would not have happened
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Rachel Ramirez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

People often want to know if an extreme weather event happened because of climate change, said Friederike Otto, climate scientist and co-lead of the World Weather Attribution initiative. And, more often than not, they are finding the clear fingerprints of climate change on extreme weather events. “We’re always going to have extreme weather, but if we keep driving in this direction, we’re gonna have a lot of extreme weather,” said Ted Scambos, a glaciologist at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty ImagesSiberian heat wave, 2020In 2020, a prolonged, unprecedented heat wave seared one of the coldest places on Earth, triggering widespread wildfires. A study from the journal Nature Climate Change found the period from 2000 to 2021 was the driest the West has ever been in 1,200 years, noting human-caused climate change made the megadrought 72% worse.

Persons: Friederike Otto, Otto, We’re, we’re, ”, Ted Scambos, Alexander Nemenov, Andrew Ciavarella, Kathryn Elsesser, San Salvador de la, Aitor De Iturria, ” Otto, Mamunur Rahman Malik, “, Fadel Senna, Debarchan Chatterjee, Saeed Khan, koalas, David Paul Morris, Lake Powell, Hurricane Ian, Ricardo Arduengo, Ian, Lawrence, Abdul Majeed, António Guterres Organizations: CNN, University of Colorado -, Getty, UK’s Met, Oregon Convention, Northern, World Health Organization, South Asia, Bloomberg, Western, Stony Brook University, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory ., UN Locations: University of Colorado - Boulder, Siberia, AFP, Oregon, Portland, Pacific, . Oregon, Washington, Canada, British Columbia, Canadian, Lytton, San Salvador de, Cercs, Catalonia, Spain, North America, Europe, China, Dahably, Wajir County, Kenya, Africa, Horn of Africa, Somalia, Ethiopia, Masseoud, Morocco, Portugal, Algeria, Kolkata, India, South Asia, South, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Bangladesh, Thailand, New South Wales, Australia, Oroville, Oroville , California, States, California, Lake Oroville, Lake Mead, Lake, Nevada, Arizona, Mexico, Hurricane, Matlacha , Florida, Caribbean, Florida, Swat, Bahrain, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Sindh, Balochistan

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