Latest news with #KevinGuthrie
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
As Trump cuts FEMA, Florida says it will take care of residents
On the eve of hurricane season, Florida's top disaster official promised Floridians that they will see no changes to the state's hurricane response despite the turmoil at FEMA over staff cuts and proposed slashes to state disaster aid. Kevin Guthrie, the executive director of Florida's Division of Emergency Management, said it's not about money. Even if FEMA cuts the amount of cash it pays out to a state after a disaster, he stressed that state leaders 'have never, ever made decisions based on whether we're going to get reimbursed by the federal government.' 'You go out to protect life, safety. You go out to stabilize scenes. You go out to protect the environment. That is what we have been doing for decades inside Florida,' he said. 'That's what we're going to continue to do for the coming decades ahead.' READ MORE: Florida says it's ready for hurricane season, with or without FEMA's help Florida was smacked with two devastating storms last year, and forecasters say the upcoming hurricane season, which starts June 1, is set to be another active season. Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, raising global temperatures that in turn lead to stronger, wetter and more deadly hurricanes. At a press conference Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Guthrie said the state was fully prepared for the season — even if FEMA might not be. The agency is down more than 2,000 employees and a dozen senior leaders this year, as President Donald Trump pushes his new vision for the beleaguered agency. Part of that change involves shifting more responsibility — and costs — for disaster cleanup to the states. Already, FEMA has begun to act on that mission. Last week, the agency denied North Carolina's request to keep covering the entire tab for Hurricane Helene recovery. Instead, FEMA will continue helping with 75% of the costs, the bare minimum required. And yet, Guthrie said, Florida is prepared to accept the president's new vision for the agency, with the federal government still picking up the tab. It's unclear if Florida's annual budget includes more cash for storm recovery, as the legislature and governor have not yet agreed on one. Gov. Ron DeSantis asked Guthrie, as a member of the federal FEMA review council, to push FEMA to shift more of its state assistance to block grants that states like Florida can spend directly. Guthrie said the state is even considering preparing for the 'challenge' of directly giving cash to survivors after a disaster, a FEMA program known as individual assistance. 'We are already having these conversations about if the federal government allows us to run an individual assistance program, we're ready to get that done,' he said. 'We believe we can do it just as fast, if not faster than the federal government.'
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
As Trump cuts FEMA, Florida says it will take care of residents
On the eve of hurricane season, Florida's top disaster official promised Floridians that they will see no changes to the state's hurricane response despite the turmoil at FEMA over staff cuts and proposed slashes to state disaster aid. Kevin Guthrie, the executive director of Florida's Division of Emergency Management, said it's not about money. Even if FEMA cuts the amount of cash it pays out to a state after a disaster, he stressed that state leaders 'have never, ever made decisions based on whether we're going to get reimbursed by the federal government.' 'You go out to protect life, safety. You go out to stabilize scenes. You go out to protect the environment. That is what we have been doing for decades inside Florida,' he said. 'That's what we're going to continue to do for the coming decades ahead.' READ MORE: Florida says it's ready for hurricane season, with or without FEMA's help Florida was smacked with two devastating storms last year, and forecasters say the upcoming hurricane season, which starts June 1, is set to be another active season. Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, raising global temperatures that in turn lead to stronger, wetter and more deadly hurricanes. At a press conference Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Guthrie said the state was fully prepared for the season — even if FEMA might not be. The agency is down more than 2,000 employees and a dozen senior leaders this year, as President Donald Trump pushes his new vision for the beleaguered agency. Part of that change involves shifting more responsibility — and costs — for disaster cleanup to the states. Already, FEMA has begun to act on that mission. Last week, the agency denied North Carolina's request to keep covering the entire tab for Hurricane Helene recovery. Instead, FEMA will continue helping with 75% of the costs, the bare minimum required. And yet, Guthrie said, Florida is prepared to accept the president's new vision for the agency, with the federal government still picking up the tab. It's unclear if Florida's annual budget includes more cash for storm recovery, as the legislature and governor have not yet agreed on one. Gov. Ron DeSantis asked Guthrie, as a member of the federal FEMA review council, to push FEMA to shift more of its state assistance to block grants that states like Florida can spend directly. Guthrie said the state is even considering preparing for the 'challenge' of directly giving cash to survivors after a disaster, a FEMA program known as individual assistance. 'We are already having these conversations about if the federal government allows us to run an individual assistance program, we're ready to get that done,' he said. 'We believe we can do it just as fast, if not faster than the federal government.'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DeSantis pushes for feds to approve emergency management agency to house migrants
Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, fields questions from reporters at the state emergency operations center in Tallahassee in advance of a winter weather event on Jan. 21, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) Gov. Ron DeSantis wants the Department of Homeland Security to grant the state's emergency management agency authority to temporarily house immigrants detained for deportation. The governor floated this idea during a press conference with federal immigration officials, praising Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, for his ability to move resources during hurricanes. DeSantis and officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection claimed a large-scale operation, nicknamed Tidal Wave, in the state last week resulted in 1,120 arrests. 'We have the capacity to set it up quickly, but we're not going to do that without the approval of the Department of Homeland Security, and I know they're working on exactly what they want to do after Tidal Wave. This is what they have focused on,' DeSantis said at the ICE office in Miramar. 'So, Kevin Guthrie, Division of Emergency Management, they can actually absolutely do that, and that could be potentially a short-term support for the lack of space that the feds may have.' Guthrie attended the press conference but didn't speak. The emergency agency's X account posted that its staff participated in Operation Tidal Wave. Another idea DeSantis pushed for is to deputize military judicial officials within the Florida National Guard to act as immigration judges under the U.S. Department of Justice. Those plans are not new, though. Larry Keefe, executive director of the new State Board of Immigration Enforcement, initially talked about them in a public meeting in March. Keefe, who organized Gov. Ron DeSantis' migrant flight from Texas to Martha's Vineyard in 2022, views involvement by DEM as essential to enacting President Donald Trump's promise of mass deportations. Orlando Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani criticized the idea of DEM housing immigrants when Keefe first mentioned it publicly. 'FDEM should be focused on responding to hurricanes and natural disasters — not engaging in immigration enforcement,' Eskamani said. 'I will also add that the main beneficiary of this concept will be the for-profit private prison industry, who will receive our tax dollars to hold individuals without due process.' ICE already faces overcrowding in Florida detention centers. Immigrant-rights groups, detainees, and Democrats have raised alarms about conditions at detention centers in Miami and Pompano Beach. Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old from Haiti, died in ICE custody on Friday, according to a Tuesday announcement from ICE. Her cause of death is under investigation. Meanwhile, ICE acknowledged a temporary structure at the Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami that Democratic U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson described as a tent city that could house 400 people. Wilson and Democratic U.S. Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick announced plans for a visit Friday to the Pompano Beach ICE center. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Elevate Florida program for home flood-proofing deadline is today. How to apply
The deadline to apply for a Florida program to help people whose homes are at risk for flooding ends tonight. Elevate Florida, a state program from the Florida Department of Emergency Management, launched in February to provide at least $400 million in federal grant funding to homeowners to cover up to 100% of their flood-proofing efforts without out-of-pocket expenses to them. Projects include the reconstruction of a damaged or demolished building, wind mitigation, knocking a building down to sell it to the community as open space, or even raising an existing building above the water. Flooding has been a serious and relentless issue for coastal Floridians battered by hurricanes and threatened by rising seas, and inland residents with inadequate drainage who see waters rise with every rainstorm. Another popular state program, My Safe Florida Home, also helps incentivize Floridians to harden their homes to withstand the onslaught of nature better. More than half a billion dollars in state money has been paid out for homeowners to replace roofs, windows and garage doors to mitigate storm damage. Elevate Flooding offers to cover 75% of the cost of protecting a property from future flood damage, with 100% coverage possible if your insured property has been hit multiple times. 'We have this brand-new program — it's the first of its kind in the country,' Department of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie told a Senate committee. 'We can actually make a homeowner whole between their insurance payout and the Elevate Florida program. With access to this money, what has to come out of their pocket is nothing. The deadline to get your application is 7 p.m. EDT, Friday, April 11, 2025. Elevate Florida is designed to expedite the process of protecting your home against future flooding by providing funds to cover at least 75% of the cost of improving your property. The program began with at least $400 million from two federal grants. Unlike similar flood-proofing grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Elevate Florida promises a quicker turnaround as it's administered through the state. Homeowners will be required to provide up to 25% of the costs determined in the evaluation phase before inspections are completed. You'll be provided with a detailed breakdown of the construction and cost and can decide then if you want to move forward, according to the state's website.. The grant will also cover at least 75% of your relocation costs (moving out/in and storage) during construction. However, if your National Flood Insurance Program-covered building has been repeatedly hit with flood damage, you may be eligible for up to 100% in funding. However, homeowners must still be prepared to contribute up to 25% of the project's total cost to be considered for Elevate Florida. To apply for Elevate Florida, individuals must: Be 18 or older Be a U.S. citizen Be the legal property owner of a residential property in the State of Florida Contribute up to 25% of the project's total cost Properties must be owned by an individual, not a corporation or commercial entity such as a limited liability corporation. Elevate Florida prioritizes homes that have been hit with repeated losses that are covered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFLP). Communities that have been ravaged by storms will also be prioritized. When you apply, you must select one of four project options: Structural elevation, or physically raising an existing building. Mitigation reconstruction of an improved, elevated building where an existing structure or the structure's foundation has been partially or completely destroyed. Acquisition of a building from a voluntary seller and demolition to be maintained by the community as open space (the community must agree to this) Wind mitigation measures, including alterations to the roof, doors or other vulnerable components, which can be an alternative for homes not sturdy enough to elevate The deadline to enter your application is 7 p.m. EDT, Friday, April 11, 2025. Any draft applications that have not been submitted will not be considered for funding. To apply for the state program, visit Elevate Florida's website and portal at To speed the application process up, property owners are advised to have the following information and documents: Photos of the building from all four sides Insurance Declaration pages (if available) Elevation Certificates (if applicable) Geotechnical reports (soil studies) (if applicable) Flooding photos or high watermark photos Insurance claim information Substantial damage determination letters from local government (if applicable) Combined income as reflected on your most recent tax return Contributing: Anne Geggis, Palm Beach Post This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Elevate Florida program home flooding risk: Last day to apply
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hurricanes aren't the only hazard so Florida has tornado drill today. Here's what happens
This week is Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week. The National Weather Service is highlighting a different hazard each day between Feb. 3 through Feb. 7. If you have a weather alert radio, watch for a tornado drill today. ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location "Severe Weather Awareness Week is a great reminder that Florida's weather can be unpredictable, making preparedness essential," said Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. "From hurricanes and tornadoes to thunderstorms and flooding, severe weather can strike at any time. Having a plan, staying informed and knowing how to respond are key to staying safe." A statewide tornado drill is scheduled for approximately 10 a.m. EST, weather permitting, the Florida Division of Emergency Services said. If severe weather is expected on Wednesday, the drill will be postponed to Friday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m. EST. "School districts, private schools, preschools and daycare centers are encouraged to participate in the drill to prepare their faculty and students on what to do for potential tornadic activity," the agency said. The tornado drill will be transmitted over weather radios, said Megan Tollefsen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Melbourne. It won't trigger the Florida emergency alert system, and you won't get an alert on your phone. So check your weather radio today to see if you received the drill. The week is a cooperative effort between the National Weather Service and the Florida Division of Emergency Management intended to spread "awareness of severe weather hazards" residents could encounter. The agencies said they want to "ensure that Florida residents and visitors are better informed and prepared for potential severe weather." Each day of Florida's Severe Weather Awareness Week highlights the information and preparation tips on different types of severe weather as follows: Monday, Feb. 3: Lightning Tuesday, Feb. 4: Marine hazards and rip currents Wednesday, Feb. 5: Thunderstorms and tornadoes Thursday, Feb. 6: Hurricanes and flooding Friday, Feb. 7 : Temperature extremes and wildfires We will continue to update our weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida Severe Weather Awareness week 2025. Tornado drill Feb. 5
