Floridians are preparing but not panicking, stocking up on food, water, batteries, and plywood to board up windows. Emergency managers suggest a two-week supply of food per person and per pet. If Floridians want hurricane insurance, they better act fast. The state's largest storm insurer, the Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association, will stop offering policies when the storm passes west of a line roughly at the Haiti-Dominican Republic border, which Debby is expected to hit this afternoon. Other insurers will shut down new sales either when the storm crosses that line or when the National Weather Service declares a hurricane watch or warning, said Sam Miller of the Florida Insurance Council.
Banks require most coastal homes to have hurricane and flood insurance.
But consumers rush to upgrade coverage on homes when storms are forecast, and boats sometimes aren't insured, Miller said. The storm swerved north Tuesday and largely spared Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Schools and offices were closed, a state of emergency declared in Puerto Rico and a curfew slapped down in the Virgin Islands. The Western Hemisphere's largest oil refinery, on St. Croix, reduced production, ships were sent away from local ports and airports closed. Puerto Ricans said they were taking no chances because of the way Hurricane Georges devastated the island in September 1998.