Merlin Law Group attorney Sean Shaw has been appointed to the House Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness. Reportedly, the committee will address evacuation planning, building codes, property insurance, flood prevention, beach renourishment, emergency shelters, school closures, power recovery, gasoline availability, and tax relief. It should also discuss FEMA public assistance and coordination with insurance obtained by Florida’s governmental entities.
Lessons can be learned and tragedies avoided by the work of such committees. Richard Corcoran should be congratulated for immediately beginning this work before the hardships are forgotten. Sean was Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate at one time and has been with us for several years now. His personal experience and knowledge of recovery efforts will significantly help in this study and any new public policy which may come from it.
Sean Shaw, Rene Sigman and I were meeting with Houston’s Mayor yesterday morning when news of Sean’s appointment became public. Houston and Texas recovery problems and issues are certainly no less drastic than Florida’s. I told Sean that comparing responses and learning from community experiences in other states provides a diverse view about best practices for hurricane preparedness and recovery.
Those of you with ideas and suggestions should feel free to call and contact Sean Shaw at sshaw@merlinlawgroup.com or 813-229-1000.
Thought For The Day
Two things Florida can teach the other 49 states: how to make a good margarita and how to deal with the aftermath of a hurricane.
—Tom Feeney
