Wildfires have calmed for the moment across Central & South Florida but conditions remain ripe for fires. Winds will begin to increase Thu. & will be quite gusty Fri. into the weekend. The best chance for some rain will be Fri. as a weak front crosses the area but again northern parts of the area will be favored for the best rainfall coverage.
Duval & Clay County issued press releases today regarding the wildfire season:
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Urges Residents to Exercise Protective Measures against wildfires.........
Jacksonville, Fla., May 14, 2008 – The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department is encouraging residents to take protective measures to help prevent wildfires near their homes. These measures include:
Exercising extreme caution when using and disposing of items that may spark a fire such as cigarettes and fireworks.
Storing flammable materials, liquids and solvents in approved safety containers outside your residence and at least 30 feet from structures and wooden fences.
Keeping lawns trimmed, leaves raked and clearing dead limbs and debris from roof and rain gutters, then properly containing and disposing of debris and clippings.
Stacking firewood at least 30 feet from your residence.
Residents are also reminded that Duval County prohibits any open burning of yard waste on premises. This includes grass clippings, brush, leaves, tree limbs, etc. If a wildfire begins in your area, call 911.
For a comprehensive listing of prevention and protection measures visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Wildfire Web site pages.
Clay County and Law Enforcement Concerned About Burning Dangers
(Release Date 5-14-08) Due to recent weather conditions (wind and lack of rain) Clay County officials are concerned about the potential for small burns to turn into large uncontrolled burns. As seen this week in Brevard County and St. Johns County, it takes no time at all for a spark to ignite a fire that destroys large amounts of acreage and even homes.
Although a burn ban is not in effect at this time in Clay County, there are standard rules and regulations that will be enforced. Officers from Clay County's Environmental Crimes Unit, Clay County Fire/Rescue, the Dept. of Environmental Protection, Dept. of Agriculture and the Dept. of Forestry will respond to reports of illegal burning and fines may be accessed when needed. Now is the perfect time for residents to familiarize themselves with the guidelines for proper outdoor burning (see attached brochure for details). As always, law enforcement will work side by side with Clay County Fire-Rescue officials to respond to fires that endanger property or persons.
The Dept. of Agriculture can be contacted at 904-266-5001 regarding conditions for burning. Locally, residents may call 904-278-3697 to speak to a member of the Environmental Crimes Unit or to report concerns about illegal burning in Clay County.
Please see the attached document also for a graphic that demonstrates the setbacks that residents should attempt to use for safe and legal outdoor burning.
"My Safe Florida Home" program has just about reached & will now transition to an inspection-focused program. The Florida Department of Financial Services has released this statement:
MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME PROGRAM NEARS 35,000 GRANTS
Program will continue offering free wind inspections until it reaches goal of 400,000
TALLAHASSEE— Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink today announced that the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program is projecting it will exceed the Florida Legislature’s goal of approving 35,000 homeowners for grants by the end of May. The first-come, first-served program will stop accepting new grant applications at that time. MSFH will continue to work with homeowners currently making improvements to their homes.
The MSFH program will transition to an inspection-focused program beginning June 2008, offering free wind inspections for eligible homeowners until it reaches the Legislature’s goal of performing 400,000 inspections or until the program sunsets in June 2009.
“With hurricane season less than one month away, I encourage Floridians to sign up for a free wind inspection to learn how to harden their homes against hurricane damage,” said CFO Alex Sink, who oversees the Department of Financial Services. “The response from homeowners has been overwhelming, and I thank the Legislature for creating this program and allowing us to enable more than 35,000 Floridians to make their homes more storm-resistant.”
Homeowners who have already received an inspection and meet other statutory requirements may apply for a grant online or by calling toll-free 1-866-513-MSFH (6734). In addition to completing an application online or over the phone, homeowners are required to provide the MSFH program with proof of homestead and insurance for matching grants or proof of homestead and income for low-income grants. Deadlines for applying for a MSFH grant and the submission of these required application documents are listed below.
Grant Application Methods
Grant Application Deadlines
Apply online
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Apply over the phone
Friday, May 30, 2008
Mail proof of homestead and insurance for matching grants
Mail proof of homestead and income for low-income grants
Postmarked by Friday, June 13, 2008
In 2007, the Florida Legislature directed the MSFH program to provide inspections for at least 400,000 site-built, single-family, residential properties and provide grants to at least 35,000 applicants before June 30, 2009. To date, the MSFH program has approved approximately 32,292 homeowners for mitigation grants and has paid 6,930 grants totaling more than $22.4 million. The MSFH program has also provided more than 222,981 free wind inspections. Participating homeowners receive a wind inspection report, which suggests ways homeowners can harden their homes against storm damage and informs homeowners if they are currently eligible to save money on their wind insurance premiums. To date, 59 percent of homeowners who have received a free wind inspection are eligible for discounts on their wind insurance premiums averaging $217 statewide.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners reports that nearly half of America's consumers are not prepared for an impending disaster:
NEARLY HALF OF AMERICANS UNPREPARED FOR DISASTERS, NEW NAIC SURVEY REVEALS........
What You Need to Know About Insurance Before Disaster Strikes
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 13, 2008) — As the nation braces for the hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and floods that accompany the spring and summer disaster season, nearly half of U.S. consumers are insufficiently prepared – in terms of their insurance coverage – to deal with potential losses, according to new research by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
The NAIC’s national survey revealed a significant lack of preparedness among consumers in documenting their belongings. Nearly half – 48 percent – said they did not have an inventory of their possessions. Of those consumers who reported having a checklist, 32 percent had not taken any pictures and 58 percent had no receipts validating the cost of their possessions. In addition, 44 percent of respondents acknowledged that they had not stored their inventory in a remote location.
“A comprehensive list of your belongings and their value will help you file an insurance claim after a disaster,” said NAIC President and Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger. “Creating an inventory and storing it in a safe location away from home is one of the most basic — and most effective — disaster preparedness steps anyone can take to help protect themselves and their financial future.”
The NAIC survey also found that 43 percent of U.S. adults with homeowners or renter’s insurance owned policies that provided a replacement cost payout. Of the remaining consumers, 27 percent indicated their policies insured their homes for the actual cash value, while another 28 percent did not know which type of coverage they purchased.
Actual cash value is the amount it would take to repair or replace damage to a home and its contents after depreciation. Replacement cost is the amount it would take to replace or rebuild a home or repair damages with materials of similar kind and quality, without deducting for depreciation.
“Many consumers are not able to recover after a disaster because they don’t realize how depreciation can impact their assets,” Praeger said. “It is important that consumers understand the implications of purchasing an actual cash value policy vs. replacement cost insurance. In the event of a disaster, the difference could mean thousands of dollars in payout.”
The NAIC survey also found that the majority of consumers do not have the coverage necessary to protect themselves from specific types of losses that are not reimbursed under standard policies:
69 percent do not have earthquake insurance.
65 percent do not have flood insurance.
56 percent do not have insurance for a water line break.
55 percent do not have insurance for a sewer line break.
“Many homeowners and renters are vulnerable, especially if they live in disaster-prone areas,” said NAIC Executive Vice President and CEO Catherine J. Weatherford. “Consumers should review their insurance policies yearly with their agent or company to make sure they have the coverage needed to protect their family and their belongings.”
The NAIC offers tips and considerations on insurance through its public education program, Insure U – Get Smart About Insurance, at this site.
Disaster Preparedness Tips for Homeowners and Renters from the NAIC
· Take an inventory of your valuables and belongings. This should include taking photographs or a video of each room. This documentation will provide your insurance company with proof of your belongings and help to process claims more quickly in the event of disaster.
· To enable filing claims more quickly, keep sales receipts and/or canceled checks. Also note the model and serial numbers of the items in your home inventory.
· As you acquire more valuables — jewelry, family heirlooms, antiques, art —consider purchasing an additional “floater” or “rider” to your policy to cover these special items. These types of items typically are not covered by a basic homeowners or renter’s insurance policy.
· Remember to include in your home inventory those items you rarely use (e.g., holiday decorations, sports equipment, tools, etc.).
· Store copies of all your insurance policies in a safe location away from your home that is easily accessible in case of disaster. You may want to store your policies and inventory in a waterproof, fireproof box or in a safe, remote location such as a bank safe deposit box. Consider leaving a copy of your inventory with relatives, friends or your insurance provider and store digital pictures in your e-mail or on a Web site for easy retrieval.
· Know what is and is not covered by your insurance policy. You might need additional protection depending on where you live. Make sure your policies are up to date. Contact your insurance provider annually to review and update your insurance policy.
· Keep a readily available list of 24-hour contact information for each of your insurance providers.
· Find out if your possessions are insured for the actual cash value or the replacement cost. Actual cash value is the amount it would take to repair or replace damage to your home or possessions after depreciation while replacement cost is the amount it would take to repair or replace your home or possessions without deducting for depreciation. Speak with your insurance provider to determine whether purchasing replacement coverage is worth the cost.
· Speak with your insurance provider to find out if your policy covers additional living expenses for a temporary residence if you are unable to live in your home due to damage from a disaster.
· Appraise your home periodically to make sure your insurance policy reflects home improvements or renovations. Contact your insurance provider to update your policy accordingly.
Our Jacksonville N.W.S. has a nice write-up on their website regarding Sunday's EF-1 tornado just north of St. Simons Island, GA. in Glynn Co.
And -- it's official -- the Darien tornado in McIntosh Co. Sun. morning was a violent EF-4:
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
220 PM EDT WED MAY 14 2008
...MCINTOSH COUNTY GEORGIA TORNADO RATED A VIOLENT EF-4...
A SURVEY TEAM FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA ALONG WITH OTHER DAMAGE SURVEY EXPERTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE TORNADO THAT STRUCK MCINTOSH COUNTY GEORGIA SUNDAY MORNING MAY 11TH WAS A VIOLENT EF-4. THE TORNADO BEGINNING AND END TIMES ARE BASED ON RADAR DATA COMBINED WITH CREDIBLE GROUND TRUTH REPORTS.
A TORNADO FORMED AT 952 AM...ABOUT 3 MILES NORTHWEST OF DARIEN AND TRACKED EAST ABOUT 11 MILES BEFORE DISSIPATING AT 1007 AM AS A WATERSPOUT IN DOBOY SOUND.
THE TORNADO FORMED IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 1/2 MILE WEST OF ROUTE 251 WHERE NUMEROUS TREES WERE SNAPPED OFF. THE TORNADO STRENGTHENED RAPIDLY AS IT APPROACHED AND MOVED ACROSS ROUTE 251.
THE TORNADO STRUCK A MARINE SALES AND SERVICES BUSINESS LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF ROUTE 251. THE BOLTS FOR ALL BUT ONE OF THE
ANCHORED METAL SUPPORT BEAMS FOR THE METAL BUILDING WERE SNAPPED OFF JUST ABOVE THE CONCRETE SLAB. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ONE METAL SUPPORT BEAM THAT WAS BENT TO THE GROUND...THE SLAB WAS WIPED CLEAN.
ABOUT 50 BOATS WERE TOSSED AROUND AND DESTROYED...WITH ONE 18 FOOT 4000 POUND BOAT CARRIED ABOUT 650 YARDS INTO SOME TREES. A 32 FOOT 8000 POUND BOAT WAS CARRIED ABOUT 130 YARDS ONTO THE TOP OF THE GATEWAY BEHAVIORAL SERVICES BUILDING. A SECOND SMALLER BOAT WAS ALSO CARRIED ONTO THE BUILDING. A VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT WAS CARRIED IN THE AIR 150 YARDS. ONE 125 HP BOAT MOTOR WEIGHING 300 TO 350 POUNDS WAS CARRIED 250 YARDS AND DEPOSITED INTO THE ROOF OF A BUILDING. IN ADDITION...ONE OF THE BOATS HAS YET TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR. SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES NEAR THIS BUSINESS WERE ROLLED OR TOSSED AND SEVERELY DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. NO ONE WAS IN THE BUILDING AT THE TIME THE TORNADO STRUCK AND DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND ALL THE BOATS WERE ESTIMATED TO BE 5 MILLION DOLLARS.
ABOUT 100 YARDS TO THE SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF THE MARINE SALES AND
SERVICES BUILDING...THE MCINTOSH EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES BUILDING WAS DESTROYED BY THE TORNADO WITH DAMAGE TO THREE AMBULANCES AND ONE FIRE TRUCK. MANY OF THE METAL SUPPORT BEAMS FROM THIS METAL BUILDING WERE TORN FROM THE CONCRETE SLAB OR SNAPPED OFF. THIS BUILDING WAS RATED FOR 120 MPH WINDS. NO ONE WAS IN THIS BUILDING AT THE TIME OF THE TORNADO BECAUSE THEY WERE OUT ON A NON WEATHER RELATED CALL.
THE GATEWAY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SERVICES BUILDING WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. THIS METAL FRAMED BUILDING WITH BRICK EXTERIOR WAS LOCATED ABOUT 100 YARDS EAST-NORTH EAST OF THE MCINTOSH EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES BUILDING AND 130 YARDS EAST-SOUTHEAST OF THE MARINE SALES AND SERVICES BUILDING. THE ROOF OF THE GATEWAY BUILDING COLLAPSED ALONG WITH MANY OF THE OUTER BRICK WALLS. MANY OF THE LARGE LOAD BEARING METAL BEAMS WERE BENT OR KNOCKED DOWN. PORTIONS OF THE METAL ROOF WERE CARRIED A MILE AWAY ONTO INTERSTATE 95. SOME OF THE ROOFING MATERIAL WAS FOUND 11 MILES AWAY ON SAPELO ISLAND. OF THE 12 PEOPLE THAT WERE IN THE BUILDING WHEN THE TORNADO HIT...9 WERE INJURED SUSTAINING BROKEN BONES AND/OR LACERATIONS. SIX VEHICLES AROUND THIS BUILDING WERE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED AND A METAL
LIGHT POLE AND SEVERAL TREES WERE SNAPPED OFF IN THIS AREA.
TWO OTHER BUSINESSES IN THIS AREA SUFFERED DAMAGE...INCLUDING DAMAGE TO SATELLITE DISHES AND TWO OVERTURNED TRACTOR TRAILERS. DAMAGE TO THE MARINE SALES AND SERVICES BUSINESS AND THE GATEWAY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SERVICES BUILDING INDICATE THAT EF-4 DAMAGE OCCURRED HERE WITH WINDS LIKELY IN THE 170 TO 180 MPH RANGE.
AFTER LEAVING THIS AREA THE TORNADO TRAVELED EAST AND WEAKENED. THE TORNADO REACHED ITS MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 700 YARDS AS IT CROSSED INTERSTATE 95...AND THEN DECREASED IN SIZE AND WAS MAINLY FROM 200 TO 500 YARDS WIDE DURING THE REMAINDER OF THE PATH. THE TORNADO DAMAGED OR DESTROYED FOUR BILLBOARDS ALONG INTERSTATE 95...PRODUCED MAINLY MINOR ROOF DAMAGE TO SEVERAL DOZEN HOMES MAINLY IN THE RIDGEVILLE AREA...SNAPPED OFF OR UPROOTED THOUSANDS OF TREES...SOME OF THEM FALLING ON HOMES OR VEHICLES AND DAMAGED OR DESTROYED NUMEROUS OUTBUILDINGS.
A RESIDENT OF RIDGEVILLE...WHOSE HOME SUFFERED MINOR DAMAGE IN THE TORNADO...TOOK SHELTER IN A CLOSET AFTER SEEING A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT ON THE TELEVISION MENTIONING THAT RIDGEVILLE WAS IN THE PATH OF THE TORNADO.
THE TORNADO DAMAGED THE BLUE-N-HALL MARINA AND FISHING DOCK. IN THIS AREA...A LARGE BOAT HOIST ALONG WITH 18 BOATS AND SEVERAL BOAT TRAILERS WERE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. SEVERAL POWER POLES WERE SNAPPED OFF AND SEVERAL VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED. NUMEROUS TREES WERE ALSO SNAPPED OFF ON HIRD ISLAND. THE TORNADO LIKELY DISSIPATED OVER DOBOY SOUND AS A WATERSPOUT. BESIDES PORTIONS OF THE GATEWAY ROOF...LOTS OF OTHER DEBRIS INCLUDING SIGNS WERE DEPOSITED ON SAPELO ISLAND.
STRENGTH...... EF-4
PEAK WINDS.... 170-180 MPH
MAX WIDTH..... 700 YARDS
TRACK LENGTH.. 11 MILES
