Latest news with #AlanHarris
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
As disasters loom, emergency managers say they aren't counting on FEMA
Preparation for the unknown was always in Alan Harris's job description as emergency manager for Seminole County, Florida, where thousands of homes suffered flood damage during Hurricane Ian in 2022. But as hurricane season begins this year, there is a fresh layer of uncertainty to contend with. The Trump administration has declared a desire to reshape a federal disaster response system widely considered to be too complicated and winding, and has already taken steps to upend it.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FEMA cuts costing central Florida millions in grant money to aid storm survival
The official start of hurricane season is days away, and central Florida counties are set to lose millions of dollars that could have been used for the most vulnerable people. One example is how the Office of Emergency Management in Seminole County requested funds to help people who depend on medical machines survive any storms. But the federal Emergency Management Agency canceled the program the center requested the grant money from. Now if the federal government doesn't cover it, it will fall on the counties or state - and taxpayers - to cover the costs those grant dollars typically would. Seminole County's Office of Emergency Management director, Alan Harris, described those affected as 'our most vulnerable populations.' Seminole County asked FEMA for $300,000 to add a generator to a shelter for those with special needs and those who depend on medical machines that need electricity. Marion County asked for $3.7 million while Sumter County asked for $3 million to improve electrical infrastructure to avoid outages during storms. But now that money won't be coming from FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program. It was canceled in April, as Republicans focus on handling the nation's deficit 'We're going to do everything we can,' said U.S. Sen Rick Scott. 'Now let's realize where our federal government is right now, OK? We are running two trillion-dollar deficits. How many of you want your interest rates to come down? We all do. How many of you want inflation to come down? It will not happen if we don't balance the budget.' U.S. Rep. Cory Mills says he will look for other ways to fund Seminole County's generator. These cuts are happening as FEMA's acting chief says h wants to place responsibility of hurricane recovery on states and local governments, including financial responsibility. 'It's about getting responsiveness. It is about getting funding there quicker,' Mills said. Sumter County's EMA director, David Casto, said the BRIC program could not be the only cuts. There are other grants that fund equipment and supplies that are still uncertain. The state and some local governments are reportedly prepared to dip into their reserves as FEMA tightens its belt even more this hurricane season. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Longwood tornado clean-up to be finished within weeks, county says
Clean-up from the tornado that struck a wealthy area of Longwood should be complete by the beginning of April, the Seminole County Director of Emergency Management said, after crews take a second pass through picking up vegetation debris. The assessment does not include the time it will take to repair the homes that were damaged or, in one case, destroyed. In an interview Monday, Alan Harris hailed the county's effort, saying it was 'unheard of' to have every road passable within an hour after a tornado tore through, which the county said it accomplished handily. " If there is a debris pile and it's all stacked together, we have to separate it. So it is taking a little bit longer because people are doing that. Some people are doing it the right way, putting vegetation in one area and construction debris in another area,' Harris said. County crews continued to work long hours in the neighborhood that took the primary strike from the storm, including using heavy equipment to remove root balls and trunks from large Live Oak trees. Harris said the recovery effort had been somewhat slowed by people mixing vegetative and construction debris, which needed to be picked up by two different crews. He said unlike a hurricane, the county was not hiring external help. Residents of the Whispering Winds community largely gave the county's response to the storm positive reviews, which included increased patrols to stop scammers. Harris said a few residents placed deposits to fake roofing companies in the storm's aftermath and encouraged everyone to be extra careful about who they contracted with. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Officials warn of 'post-storm fraud' as Longwood neighborhood hit by tornado continues recovery
Clean-up and recovery efforts are underway one day after an EF-2 tornado ripped through a Longwood neighborhood. Several homes were damaged, and one home collapsed in the Whispering Winds community, but officials said 'miraculously' no one was injured. Wind speeds reached 115 miles per hour and sent shingles flying off roofs , toppled trees, and broke windows. On Tuesday, Seminole County Emergency Management was on the ground coordinating clean-up. 'We're picking up all those trees we pushed to the side. So, this is a huge, huge task. It'll probably take a couple of days,' said Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris. According to Harris, the County Emergency Operation Center is at a level 2 activation to assist homeowners with recovery. A citizen hotline is also operating that can link residents in need with non-profits willing to help. That number is (407) 665-0000. Meanwhile, teams deployed by Florida's Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis were also on the ground monitoring for fraud. Channel 9 watched as contractors, debris removal workers, and roofers flooded the neighborhood in the hours after the tornado touched down. According to the CFO's office, two teams consisting of nine sworn law enforcement officers have already been deployed to the neighborhood to educate and inform the public on signs of post-storm fraud. An additional team will be deployed on Wednesday to assist with anti-fraud efforts in the community. 'DON'T SIGN ANYTHING! Bad actors, scam artists, and illegal contractors will be ready to knock on your door and take advantage of you and your family long before first responders ever arrive. These fraudsters want to come between you and your recovery,' said Patronis. The office provided the following advice to homeowners Common Indicators of Post-Storm Fraud include: A contractor, service provider (i.e., tree removal or debris removal company, etc.), or restoration professional who offered to waive or discount your insurance deductible. A contractor, service provider, or restoration professional that has received payment and has failed to provide any repairs to your home. A contractor, service provider, or restoration professional who offered to provide repairs at a cash-only discounted rate and has failed to provide repairs to your home. A contractor, service provider, or restoration professional who has failed to provide any repairs to your home and has stopped responding to your contact attempts. Insurance Consumer Services Resources: Call our statewide toll-free Insurance Helpline at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236) - Out-of-State Callers: (850) 413-3089 Insurance Helpline is available 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Monday - Sunday Visit for insurance assistance online or by email at To report suspected fraud, call the Department's toll-free Insurance Fraud Tip Hotline at 1-800-378-0445 or visit Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Survivor mindset': Floridians prepare for real weather emergencies during ‘Great Tornado Drill'
People across the Sunshine State are practicing a plan to stay safe during severe weather. 'The Great Tornado Drill' was held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in all of Florida's 67 counties. The event lets citizens sign up in advance to receive an alert like they would during a real emergency. WATCH: Volusia County deputies jump into action to save unconscious man on out-of-control boat The goal is to practice taking shelter in the most secure interior room of your home or office. Channel 9 spoke to Seminole County's Office of Emergency Management about the importance of the annual event. SEE: UCF Football schedule is set for 2025 🏈 'We want people to consider a survivor mindset — 'What am I going to do during a tornado warning?' ... That way they don't have to scramble to think about it, they already know, and they can act,' Emergency Manager Alan Harris said. The Great Tornado Drill is part of Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
