TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— With the National Weather Service reporting the possibility of high winds, excessive rain, flooding, and isolated tornadoes today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis urges residents across counties in North Florida to prepare.   CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “The National Weather Service is predicting severe weather today in several North Florida counties. You must take safety measures now and don’t take this threat lightly. Prepare your home and gather important insurance and financial documents. Snapping photos of valuables can make a major difference during recovery and taking steps now to prepare can help prevent major losses. Visit PrepareFL.com for storm tips and resources.”   3 Storm Preparedness Tips   1. Snap photos: Take photos or video of belongings, gather receipts and write down purchase dates (if known) and serial numbers.   2. Prepare Your Home: Take steps to secure your  property such as preparing sandbags and securing any leaks or areas of your home where tropical rains or sitting water could be problematic. Some communities will offer free sandbags, so check with local government officials for more information.   3. Keep Info Handy: Save your insurance company’s or agent’s phone number along with your financial institution and mortgage company’s contact information for ease of filing future claims. Keep copies of policies in a plastic bag for safe keeping and be sure to follow your insurance company on social media for important storm-related information. When the National Weather Service issues a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning for any part of Florida, many insurance companies cease issuing new policies. When this occurs, insurance coverage cannot be purchased until 72 hours after the last watch or warning has been lifted.   Floridians with any insurance questions or concerns are encouraged to contact CFO Patronis' Consumer Helpline by calling 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236) or visit PrepareFL.com. Use CFO Patronis’ Emergency Financial Preparedness Toolkit to help organize your financial information before and after a disaster.

About CFO Jimmy Patronis  Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).