Florida Prepares for Hurricane Irma

In anticipation of the storm, Gov. Rick Scott declares a state of emergency for the entire state; price-gouging statue takes effect.

September 05, 2017

NAPLES, Fla. – Florida Governor Rick Scott issued Executive Order 17-235 on Monday, Sept. 4, declaring a state of emergency in all 67 counties within the state of Florida in response to Hurricane Irma.

By declaring a state of emergency Scott is ensuring that local governments have ample time, resources and flexibility to get prepared for the storm and are not hindered, delayed or prevented from taking all necessary actions to keep communities safe, notes the governor’s office.

“Hurricane Irma is a major and life-threatening storm and Florida must be prepared. I have continued to be briefed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management on Hurricane Irma and current forecast models have Florida in Irma’s path, potentially impacting millions of Floridians,” said Scott. “In Florida, we always prepare for the worst and hope for the best and while the exact path of Irma is not absolutely known at this time, we cannot afford to not be prepared. This state of emergency allows our emergency management officials to act swiftly in the best interest of Floridians without the burden of bureaucracy or red tape.

Additionally, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi activated Florida’s price gouging hotline for all consumers in Florida. 

“Floridians need to prepare now and they should not be inhibited by unlawful price increases on supplies necessary to brace for a major hurricane strike—that is why I’ve activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline and encourage anyone who suspects price gouging to report it to my office by calling (866)-9-NO-SCAM,” said Bondi. 

Florida law prohibits extreme increases in the price of essential commodities, such as food, water, hotels, ice, gasoline, lumber and equipment, needed as a direct result of an officially declared emergency. Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and up to a total of $25,000 for multiple violations committed in a single 24-hour period, in addition to other civil penalties that may apply.

Per Weather.com, Irma has strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane. W warnings have been issued for portions of the Leeward Islands, and a hurricane watch is in effect for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.The news source notes that this weekend into early next week, Irma will turn north and likely impact a portion of the U.S. coastline.

To track the path of Hurricane Irma, click here.

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