WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
After ending an 11-year stormless streak in 2016, Florida enters its annual hurricane season on Thursday with forecasters predicting an above-average season.
Read More »Hurricane Season Arrives After 2016 Wakeup Call
Catastrophe Fund Healthy Heading Into Hurricane Season
Though the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund is in its strongest financial position ever as the state heads into the annual storm season next month, state officials may bolster the fund with a purchase of $1 billion in private reinsurance.
Read More »Florida Is A Tinderbox Right Now, And That Might Not Change For Weeks
Burn bans are now in place in most of the state of Florida. Alachua and surrounding counties are under watch as the dry conditions continue.
Read More »Gov. Scott Backs Reservoir Plan For Lake Okeechobee
Florida Gov. Rick Scott said for the first time Monday that he supports having the state acquire thousands of acres to build a reservoir system south of Lake Okeechobee to help battle toxic algal blooms.
Read More »Skepticism of the Seasonal Forecasts
Another hurricane season is almost here. It comes every year. So too the projections. The hype. But also the sobering thought that this might be the year our homes, businesses, or entire community are changed forever. Curiosity about how bad the year could be naturally generates interest. It’s one of …
Read More »Gainesville Homeless Center To Provide Shelter During Tonight’s Bad Weather
The storm expected to hit Gainesville tonight is expected to be strong and has tornado potential. Officials suggest residents should get batteries and tie down loose items outdoors.
Read More »Hurricane Names Matthew and Otto Retired
Storm names Matthew and Otto will be retired by the World Meteorological Organization’s Region IV Hurricane Committee, after the deadly and destructive 2016 hurricane season.
Read More »FEMA’s Craig Fugate, On His Replacement And Hatred For Bureaucracy
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate returned to his hometown of Gainesville after stepping down when the Trump administration took office in January. Fugate sat down with WUFT News this week to talk about his experiences and the future of disaster response. The interview is available at WUFT.org.
Read More »Hurricane Hermine Damage Still Evident In Cedar Key
The Beach Front Motel and The Island Room Restaurant are two of the many businesses in Cedar Key that suffered damages from last year's storm. They are recovering but damage from Hurricane Hermine is still evident in the area.
Read More »Regulators Approve Post-Matthew Rate Hike For Florida Power & Light
State regulators have approved a rate hike for Florida Power & Light customers to cover storm-related damage from Hurricane Matthew and to replenish the company's storm reserve fund.
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