Florida News

‘Citizens 2.0’ is 86’d but Other Florida Insurance, Liability Bills Still Alive

A move to revamp the state-backed property insurer of last resort into Florida’s main wind carrier, a plan dubbed “Citizens 2.0,” appears to have died in the Legislature this year. But other insurance-related bills are still alive, and the governor’s …

Sotheby’s, Russians, Theft: Insurer Must Defend in High-End Miami Realty Suit

In the glittering world of high-end south Florida real estate, One Sotheby’s International Realty is known as one of the biggest players in the market. This month, the firm is handling the rental of NBA superstar Kevin Durant’s penthouse in …

Early Morning Storms Leave Path of Damage from Tampa Bay into North Florida

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — A storm system that moved across parts of Florida early Thursday left a path of damage to cars, houses and businesses, authorities said. “We were very fortunate,” Jevon Graham, the Clearwater Fire and Rescue division chief …

Fla. Agriculture Losses Estimated Between $78M and $371M from Hurricane Idalia

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Florida agriculture losses from Hurricane Idalia are estimated at between $78 million and $371 million, with producers also suffering widespread damage to such infrastructure as irrigation rigs and fences, according to a preliminary report Thursday …

Wildfire Threat Grows as Florida Drought Gets Steadily Worse

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The threat of wildfires is growing in Florida over the coming weeks as more than half the state is experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions likely to persist until rainy season resumes around mid-May, state …

NOAA: Ian Was Cat 5 Before Weakening at Florida Landfall

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Ian briefly reached maximum Category 5 status before weakening to a Category 4 storm as it blasted ashore last September in southwest Florida, eventually causing over $112 billion in damage in the U.S. and …

USDA: Florida Orange Crop Down 36% After Twin Hurricanes

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Production of oranges in Florida this season is forecast to be down 36% from earlier estimates, in part a reflection of twin hurricanes that battered growing regions, according to U.S. Agriculture Department figures released Friday. …

Nicole Lashes Florida With Rain, Thousands Without Power

Nicole, now a tropical storm, is lashing central Florida with heavy rain and powerful wind, leaving a trail of blackouts and floods. The storm came ashore early Thursday as a rare November hurricane and since then its winds have dropped …

After $1.8 Billion Ian Hit, Florida’s Farmers Brace for Nicole

Florida’s produce industry took an almost $2 billion hit from Hurricane Ian and is now bracing for more as Tropical Storm Nicole follows a track toward the state’s eastern shores. The Sunshine State is the top US supplier of fruits …

Insurer Universal Estimates Nearly $1 Billion Loss from Hurricane Ian

Florida-based Universal Insurance Holdings Inc. on Tuesday forecast a gross loss of nearly $1 billion from Hurricane Ian, some of which will be covered by its reinsurance program. “To date, we’ve received approximately 18,000 claims, roughly half the number of …