CLEARWATER, Fla. – With the official start of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season just days away on June 1, U.S. Senator Rick Scott made a critical stop in Clearwater Wednesday, joining state and local leaders and law enforcement for a press conference focused on hurricane preparedness. The event marked the third stop on Senator Scott’s annual statewide hurricane preparedness tour, following visits to Naples and Miami earlier this week.
Scott emphasized the impact of recent storms, particularly Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused significant damage and devastation in the Tampa Bay area last year. He noted that these events serve as a reminder of the importance of proactive measures.
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“Those who live along the Gulf Coast know better than anyone how dangerous and unpredictable hurricanes can be – how fast a storm can shift, strengthen, and devastate entire communities,” Senator Scott stated. “Recent storms like Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton are horrific reminders that disaster can strike at any moment. No one should gamble with their life or their family’s safety by waiting until it’s too late.”
The Senator urged Floridians to take immediate action to create a disaster plan and assemble supply kits. “Now is the time to stock up on disaster supplies from flashlights, batteries, first aid kits, radios, and other essentials,” he advised. “As I always say: you can rebuild your home, but you can’t rebuild your life. Don’t wait. Start preparing today.”
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Beyond public awareness campaigns, Senator Scott detailed his ongoing efforts at the federal level to support Floridians before, during, and after natural disasters. He recently chaired a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing focused on disaster preparedness for seniors.
Significant legislative achievements from the last Congress include the passage of the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, which provides tax relief for communities impacted by a series of hurricanes, including Helene, Debby, Ian, Nicole, Fiona, and Idalia. His FISHES Act was also enacted to support Florida’s fisheries in their recovery from storms by streamlining federal disaster relief processes.
Looking ahead, Senator Scott is championing several pieces of legislation aimed at bolstering Floridians’ resilience during hurricane season:
- The Homeowners Premium Tax Reduction Act proposes an above-the-line tax deduction of up to $10,000 for homeowners’ insurance premiums on primary residences.
- The Flood Insurance Relief Act seeks to provide tax relief for individuals purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private carriers.
- A suite of bills—the Removing Barriers to Private Flood Insurance Act, the Flood Insurance Consumer Choice Act, and the Flood Insurance Transparency Act—aim to reform the NFIP, encourage a more robust private flood insurance market, and ultimately lower costs for families.
- The Residential Emergency Asset Accumulation Deferred Taxation Yield (READY) Account Act would establish a tax-free savings vehicle for home mitigation and disaster response expenses.
Scott reiterated his commitment to ensuring Florida families have all necessary resources for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, with additional stops on his preparedness tour planned across the state.
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