Hurricane Preparation

Regulators have ordered the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to revamp — and trim — proposed rate increases.Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky signed an order Friday that took issue with parts of a Citizens rate proposal that included increasing rates by 12 percent for homeowners with the most-common type of policies.

Forecasters from Colordo State University forecast now call for an above-average Atlantic basin hurricane season in 2023, although uncertainty with this outlook is larger than normal.

In the months after Hurricane Ian made landfall, residents in Fort Myers Beach, Pine Island, and Sanibel, Florida have struggled to navigate insurance claims, building permits, and government aid as they rebuild their lives.

The sales tax holiday runs now to June 9. Residents are encouraged to use the tax exemptions to purchase supplies for their hurricane readiness kits.

Cape Coral will host a 2023 Hurricane Preparedness Expo on May 31.

Prepping for hurricane season starts with knowing your risks. Hurricanes are much more than just a coastal problem, so knowing what types of water and wind hazards could happen where you live is critical to your safety.

"We anticipate that the 2023 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have slightly below average activity," the CSU forecast release said. "Current neutral ENSO conditions look fairly likely to transition to El Niño this summer/fall. However, there is considerable uncertainty as to how strong an El Niño would be, if it does develop. Sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic are much warmer than normal, so if a robust El Niño does not develop, the potential still exists for a busy Atlantic hurricane season."

Prepare for a major storm or hurricane in Florida with these resources and checklists.

Charlotte County Emergency Management Services is ready for what has been predicted to be another above-average hurricane season, according to Emergency Management Director Patrick Fuller.It has been many years since Charlotte County saw a direct impact during hurricane season, but Fuller warns residents against complacency.

Ahead of the 2022 hurricane season beginning June 1, the Collier County Public Utilities Department is working on a project to increase critical infrastructure resiliency. The goal is to make it more certain that residents will have water services after a big storm.