State launches 'Elevate Florida' to help homeowners fortify against hurricane damage

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. -- Hurricane season is just two months away. Officials in Northwest Florida are urging homeowners to get ahead of any damage the storms may bring.

Florida homeowners have a new option to protect their homes against natural disasters at a discount. The Florida Division of Emergency Management is launching a new program called “Elevate Florida.”

This statewide initiative aims to protect Florida homeowners and their pockets. Officials say strengthening your home ahead of a storm could lower your insurance costs.

From Hurricane Frederic in 1979 to Hurricane Ivan in 2004, real estate broker Martin Donovan says he’s seen it all when it comes to property damage from a storm.

"It destroyed thousands of housing units," said Donovan. "So overnight, we had a severe housing shortage in our area."

Donovan says his business was slammed with people searching for a new home after losing everything to the hurricane. Now, homeowners have a new option to protect their homes against natural disasters. Elevate Florida will use state dollars to elevate homes above ground.

"Hurricanes are very serious business," Donovan said. "And if your home is not elevated above the hurricane tidal surge level when that wall of water hits it, there's nothing that's going to save it."

The grant offers other options, like increased protections against harsh winds. This would include upgrades to roofs, windows and other vulnerable aspects of the home.

Santa Rosa County Public Safety Director Tom Lloyd says with hurricane season fast approaching, programs like these are more important than ever.

"The big thing is if you lose one or two shingles, you can still get some impedance there from a water that's, you know, being blown in," Lloyd said.

All applicants will have their properties assessed to find the best storm protection project. The program is designed to expedite the process of making a home "stormproof," but it will also save homeowners money.

"It takes one hurricane, one tornado, one flood," Lloyd said.

"So financially, if you're in a place to be able to look into some of those programs, I highly encourage it," he said.

You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old to apply. You also must be the legal owner of the home and able to cover a quarter of the project cost. The other 75 — covered by this grant.

Even if you have never experienced storm damage, Lloyd says everyone should consider safeguarding their home in some form to prevent damage.

"Three big tips... Strengthen your roof and deck attachments," Lloyd said. "Reinforce your roof with wall connections and then make sure you have some type of secondary barrier in place to make sure that your roof is water-resistant."

Applications for the Elevate Florida grant are open now. It closes April 11 at 7 p.m. More information on the application can be found here.