After Irma, build a better Florida

There was no place in this state where Floridians could hide from Hurricane Irma. With the storm having passed — and new systems forming — the state’s leaders can’t hide from the realities that Irma exposed.

Nearly 6 million people were ordered to evacuate. Millions more left voluntarily. Forecasters showed Irma’s Category 5 menace aimed first at the Keys, then off the east coast, then straight at South Florida and finally back toward the Keys and Southwest Florida. At one point, the track took Irma into Tampa Bay — Florida’s worst-case scenario because of the danger a powerful surge poses to that low-lying area of 3 million people.

It should be clear now that when it comes to hurricanes, Floridians are in this together. Irma didn’t bother the Panhandle much, but Kate did in 1985 and Ivan did in 2005. Residents of Northeast Florida might have thought for years that they were safe, but surge and flooding from Matthew last year and Irma have dispelled that myth.

Though Irma’s toll could have been worse, many Floridians still lack electricity and basic needs. The state also has endured two weeks of news coverage that could make Florida look like a dangerous place to visit, move a family or do business.

Billions in relief will come from the federal government. The state’s delegation should lobby for as much as is legally available. Long-term, however, preparing for such massive storms rests with Floridians. Priorities for Tallahassee include: Contingency plans for mass evacuations along Interstate 95, the Florida Turnpike, Interstate 75 and Interstate 10. This would include fuel supplies and generators at turnpike rest stops, generators at interstate rest stops and more northbound lanes when the traffic slows to a creep and crawl.

An outside, post-hurricane review of how the state’s major utilities fared compared to 2004 and 2005. Florida Power & Light executives say the restoration rate has been faster than after Hurricane Wilma and for areas that don’t require rebuilding parts of the system. The company’s website to notify customers about progress, however, has been a failure. It’s mobile app provided inaccurate information, too. And customers deserve better information than a blanket statement that says all power will be restored within seven or 12 days.

An emergency fund for workers who don’t get paid when a business closes because of hurricane damage, power failure or both. Florida is one of the cheapest states for unemployment benefits, and the system of applying for them is one of the hardest.

A return of the My Safe Florida Home program. For three years after the 2004 and 2005 storm seasons, the program offered 400,000 free wind inspections to homeowners. The inspections showed owners how they could strengthen their homes and earn insurance discounts. Some homeowners got $5,000 credits toward the work.

For cities and counties, the priority is a review of how their water and sewer systems functioned — or didn’t. Several cities in Broward County had to issue boil-water notices, even as their residents lacked electricity. So did West Palm Beach.

Local governments have no control over FPL and its restoration schedule, but they can determine whether residents have safe water and can take a shower or use the toilet. To a point, they also can control flooding, by ensuring that stormwater systems have adequate capacity and maintenance.

There also are priorities for homeowners. They should trim trees before a hurricane approaches. Falling trees can take down power lines. Flying branches can endanger homes. Keep drains clear. Neighborhood canals are part of the regional flood control system.

Despite Irma, one could dismiss the need for a big response. Florida’s economy added another 20,100 jobs in August. The state recovered after Charlie, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne in 2004 and Wilma in 2005 and after the real estate crash. Ten years ago, a Wall Street Journal headline asked, “Is Florida Over?” More people were leaving the state than coming. We recovered.

Still, repetitive hurricane stories can take their toll. As Delray Beach Mayor Cary Glickstein said last week, all of us in Florida are “sitting at a roulette table.” We must be serious about the storm risk that climate change, with its rising seas, has increased.

No longer, for example, should Gov. Rick Scott use water management districts to portray himself as a tax-cutter. Instead, Scott should ensure the districts have enough money to keep the state dry.

Every business, civic and government group in the state should support this approach. Financing it may mean a new tax or fee here and there. Consider it an investment. Implementing it will mean asking tough questions at every level. Should we allow rebuilding in high-risk areas? Should local governments ban high-risk trees?

Irma could have been much worse. Perhaps the main effect will be a needed attitude adjustment.