Bill Nelson, U.S. Senator from Florida: Published Column: Nelson: I'm pushing feds to learn from 2004 hurricanes

The Post's special report "Most homes still vulnerable" (Dec. 19) highlighted some successes of Florida's stricter building codes — something I immediately observed during helicopter surveys of damage in the days following the hurricanes that hit Florida last year. But it also pointed out the need for further reform to prevent the loss of property, and even lives, in severe storms.

Serving the state as insurance commissioner in the wake of Hurricane Andrew and as a U.S. senator when Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne hit, I've become an expert of sorts on hurricane mitigation and recovery. That's why I'm a longtime supporter of advancing technologies that protect structures in strong windstorms. As insurance commissioner, I started a program to create "hurricane houses" throughout the state to educate builders and the public about such advances. Legislation I sponsored creating a three-year federal program to develop construction and design techniques to help reduce wind damage was enacted into law. It will combine the expertise of five federal agencies to get wind-resistant technologies into the marketplace quickly for use in construction.

It's clear that wind is not the only enemy in hurricanes — water damage and subsequent problems with mold need to be prevented, too. This year, I will look into including research on preventing water damage in the new federal research program.

Beyond developing new technologies, home and business owners need to utilize the advances available. Florida has made progress with building codes, but the state certainly should reevaluate new construction requirements because assumptions about "safe" areas went out the window during the 2004 hurricane season.

Additionally, older structures need to be retrofitted to better withstand storms. I'm an advocate of helping home and business owners make such improvements with Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster mitigation grants. But I don't think recipients should pay taxes on their grants — it's a huge disincentive. During the last Congress, I supported a bill to waive taxes on these grants, and I intend to back a similar measure this year.

I will continue to push for changes that would help protect Floridians from the economic and emotional costs of losing property in severe storms. I also will keep pushing FEMA to speed relief to people and communities in need. I only can hope that Florida is spared another brutal hurricane season. But if one were to occur again, I want to make sure we learn the lessons of 2004 and are better protected from storms and better prepared for their aftermath.

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