Stay Safe Florida Scoopers

[jesmu84]

All good stuff wags.

Personally, love to hear it.

My personal viewpoint is that I wish those with the microphones would get in line with the "people helping people" idea as opposed to casting blame, spreading rumors, etc

[Jockey]

Brother Jockey:

Look, every society has its extremes. We've seen way too much of our extremes in recent years. But, one of the big mistakes too many people make in life is expecting the exception, rather than realizing an exception is just that -- an exception to societal norms.

Our media loves crime stories and loves nothing better than to make a mountain out of a molecule. To turn the exception into the norm. It's what happens when people go to Journalism school to write rather than report. And if you can throw in some hate filled politics that furthers a reporter's agenda and gets the reporter a column or a better job, all the better.

I don't know how true the FEMA stories are but I know one thing, any help right now is better than no help at all. And, I suspect our community is the norm rather than the exception in our country.

I appreciate the response, dgies.

[Scoop Snoop]

We can argue about the media coverage and what sells and the politicization of all of this, but I do find it refreshing in times like these to see that stuff melt away, like Dgies is alluding to.

I spent about 90 min at a big public sandbagging setup the Sunday before Milton.  The parking lot was as diverse as you could ever see, multiple 6 figure sticker price SUVS and expensive pick ups all the way down to absolute beaters. Double digit MAGA car stickers/apparel and plenty of the exact flip side.  But the sand pile was the most beautiful bit of humanity you could hope to see. 

Saw a dude who was ripped from the MAGA meme of dudes in Oakleys and goatees shoveling sand for a family that barely spoke English and then later using a dolly to help two young black dudes load bags into their car.  Guy with full neck tats joking with a Sikh dude in a turban about the Dolphins game while their kids were playing in the sand.  Just everyone helping everyone keep it moving as rain was coming in.  It sounds like a corny Hallmark movie story but it was just people helping people.

More personally, my wife is in a big mom's group for play dates and what not, which operates a lot through Facebook.  All over the place demo wise, but notably a VERY liberal mom who is obnoxiously boisterous about it and another who is so MAGA she would do stuff like the "Fight Fight" fist pump if she saw a car with Trump stuff go by.  Needless to say, they aren't the best of friends.  Well, Liberal Mom evacuated to Miami with family but offered and subsequently housed MAGA mom's in laws at her house as it was not in an evacuation or flood zone without a second thought.  And they've been quite chummy since.

Very easy to lose site of it, but the VAST VAST majority of normal people, red or blue, are just people with opinions who given the chance will default to their humanity rather than tribal ties.

Thanks wags.

Anyone else wondering why it is perfectly OK for a scooper to post on what bothers/angers/upsets him without counterbalancing it with a positive take on anything, but immediately insist that a post like dgies' be counterbalanced by what they fervently believe that dgies should have addressed?   

[dgies9156]

OK, we returned home last night after two weeks overseas and we're fortunate the tornados missed our home.

But parts of our community, including the Beachland Neighborhood of our island, look like a war zone. Stately old Spanish Oaks look like twigs. Tree branches are everywhere. Power crews are still repairing isolated problems and outages. Roofs are gone over and over, including from our bank. Buildings standing for 50+ years have been hollowed out. Our downtown looks like nature took a chainsaw to it and I haven't even gone anywhere near the Spanish Lakes subdivision, where seven people were killed.

All because of an EF-3 tornado.

Crap happens and, living in Florida, we should be used to this. But you never do become accustom to it. That's why it is important communities come together and why people need to care for each other.

[Goose]

dgies

Glad to hear your place avoided the tornado. Hope you had a nice journey overseas.

[MU82]

Florida official warns Hurricane Milton victims about scammers posing as FEMA workers

https://apnews.com/article/florida-hurricane-milton-fema-1ba3a3b96d6d5840913309cf98de2e8a?

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — The emergency management chief of the Florida county where Hurricane Milton made landfall earlier this month warned about reports of scammers in the area who are posing as Federal Emergency Management Agency officials and trying to get financial information from the storm's victims.

Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi told residents on Thursday that some scammers with fake FEMA badges were asking residents for their bank account information, which they should never provide. Instead, hurricane victims seeking help should only share that on FEMA's online system, she said.

[jesmu84]

Florida official warns Hurricane Milton victims about scammers posing as FEMA workers

https://apnews.com/article/florida-hurricane-milton-fema-1ba3a3b96d6d5840913309cf98de2e8a?

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — The emergency management chief of the Florida county where Hurricane Milton made landfall earlier this month warned about reports of scammers in the area who are posing as Federal Emergency Management Agency officials and trying to get financial information from the storm's victims.

Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi told residents on Thursday that some scammers with fake FEMA badges were asking residents for their bank account information, which they should never provide. Instead, hurricane victims seeking help should only share that on FEMA's online system, she said.

Now that's who the militias should be after

[JWags85]

Not that I encourage anyone to assault FEMA employees, but man I feel bad for anyone needing FEMA assistance right now.  It's every bad stereotype about a government agency portal  malfunctioning or not working coming to life. I heard of people sitting on hold for 4-5 hours to file a claim. I tried this week and had to give up cause I couldn't even get on hold, the 800 number gave a busy signal, which is ridiculous.

Eventually spoke to an IT person on a different number who couldn't help but basically said call right away at 7AM or it's a literal crap shoot to be put through.  There is an online portal, but it's buggy and terrible. For example, we live in an apartment complex, the website can't validate multiple units in our complex so it errors out and you have to manually call in.   There is a FEMA app...that literally just opens a window to the same website.  Oh, and if you mention you have insurance, so not to perjure yourself...your claim is immediately rejected and you have to file an appeal showing insurance didn't cover.  They don't even allow the documentation before the claim is rejected.  Just backwards

We're just applying for minor damages and costs resulting from the storms, I can't imagine how frustrating it is if you're inquiring about large scale or urgent help.

[pbiflyer]

OK, we returned home last night after two weeks overseas and we're fortunate the tornados missed our home.

But parts of our community, including the Beachland Neighborhood of our island, look like a war zone. Stately old Spanish Oaks look like twigs. Tree branches are everywhere. Power crews are still repairing isolated problems and outages. Roofs are gone over and over, including from our bank. Buildings standing for 50+ years have been hollowed out. Our downtown looks like nature took a chainsaw to it and I haven't even gone anywhere near the Spanish Lakes subdivision, where seven people were killed.

All because of an EF-3 tornado.

Crap happens and, living in Florida, we should be used to this. But you never do become accustom to it. That's why it is important communities come together and why people need to care for each other.

I was born and raised in Florida. First hurricane was when I was a ripe old age of 2, when our banyon tree fell on thankfully away from our house. I have experienced the eye of four hurricanes, including Francis, Jeanne, and Wilma. I live in Hawaii during cat 5 Iniki. Lived through several quakes in Southern California, including the 94 Northridge quake.
I have to admit, I typically take a more cavalier attitude than probably should. But that one hour period where the tornadoes were popping up around us, scared me more than any of those previous events. I have never seen that number of tornadoes so far from the eye of the hurricane. It was really unnerving.

[rocky_warrior]

They don't even allow the documentation before the claim is rejected.  Just backwards

We're just applying for minor damages and costs resulting from the storms, I can't imagine how frustrating it is if you're inquiring about large scale or urgent help.

Wait, you're in an apartment and calling FEMA?

I've always paid for renters insurance anywhere I've rented.  Is there some differentiation I need to know about?

[MuggsyB]

Not that I encourage anyone to assault FEMA employees, but man I feel bad for anyone needing FEMA assistance right now.  It's every bad stereotype about a government agency portal  malfunctioning or not working coming to life. I heard of people sitting on hold for 4-5 hours to file a claim. I tried this week and had to give up cause I couldn't even get on hold, the 800 number gave a busy signal, which is ridiculous.

Eventually spoke to an IT person on a different number who couldn't help but basically said call right away at 7AM or it's a literal crap shoot to be put through.  There is an online portal, but it's buggy and terrible. For example, we live in an apartment complex, the website can't validate multiple units in our complex so it errors out and you have to manually call in.   There is a FEMA app...that literally just opens a window to the same website.  Oh, and if you mention you have insurance, so not to perjure yourself...your claim is immediately rejected and you have to file an appeal showing insurance didn't cover.  They don't even allow the documentation before the claim is rejected.  Just backwards

We're just applying for minor damages and costs resulting from the storms, I can't imagine how frustrating it is if you're inquiring about large scale or urgent help.

I'm sorry for your troubles JWags.  And all the Florida Scoopers. 

[ATL MU Warrior]

Wait, you're in an apartment and calling FEMA?

I've always paid for renters insurance anywhere I've rented.  Is there some differentiation I need to know about?

It seems pretty obvious that people calling FEMA for small claims could be gumming up the system for those who really need help and making it harder for everybody. Maybe FEMA needs to set up multiple systems so that those that really need major help have first dibs on limited resources.

[rocky_warrior]

It seems pretty obvious that people calling FEMA for small claims could be gumming up the system for those who really need help and making it harder for everybody. Maybe FEMA needs to set up multiple systems so that those that really need major help have first dibs on limited resources.

Right, though perhaps I focused on Wags "damages" words (which should go through renters insurance first) and not "other costs" (like temporarily displaced to a hotel) which I think FEMA should cover.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Yeah, I wasn't even thinking about Wags when I posted that, although I admit it could certainly be interpreted that way. 

I would hope there is something in place already in terms of putting more serious needs to the front of the line but you never know.

[JWags85]

We do have renters insurance and already went through the insurance and there were a variety of things they didn't cover, including hotel as well as some damage due to a power outage that State Farm wouldn't cover.

I wasn't even going to contact FEMA but our friend down here works for Duke and recommend it based on a few things.

But otherwise I agree, there is the $750 payment that they are paying to many people...and then there is more significant catastrophic damages.  And there is no differentiation for the system which is a mess.

Certainly wasn't trying to scam or game the system, but if there are dedicated government funds being allocated for people in the same situation as us (including other friends in apartments), might as well accept it

[MU82]

NYT: Why Owning (and Buying) a Florida Condo Has 'Turned Into a Nightmare'

In the wake of a tragic 2021 building collapse, lawmakers are requiring condos to fund restoration projects. The bills are crippling homeowners.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/03/realestate/miami-condo-collapse-buying-selling.html?