Tampa Bay Debates Over Climate Change Have Ceased as Talks Now Focus on Solutions
Climate change in Florida is a constant debate between Deniers and Believers or between Red and Blue, yet in Tampa Bay, discussions now focus on solutions. In fact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, has tasked the Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition to forge solutions for protecting the 29 municipalities of the region, being the most vulnerable to the perils of Florida’s extreme weather and higher sea levels.
Tampa Bay local government officials and community leaders have finally faced the reality that climate change has been unfolding. There is now a general understanding that the increasing intensity of the natural calamities and the prevalence of flooding do not discriminate on the political affiliations of voters. The record-breaking temperatures do not care whether the majority of Tampa residents believe or are in denial of the effects of climate change on the environment.
Pinellas County Floodplain Administrator Lisa Foster remarked that change is inevitable as topography, weather conditions and buildings, naturally alter the probabilities of what could happen over time. The important thing is for them to develop maps that will allow them to see into the future so they can make plans for the possible changes that could happen.
Tampa Bay Property Owners Face Sky-Rocketing Insurance Costs in Ensuring Protection Against Risks
Yet in the meantime, and as the hurricane season has already been ushering in extreme weather conditions, Tampa Bay homeowners face sky-rocketing insurance costs. Even worse is that several private insurance companies have been dropping insurance coverage on thousands of Florida properties.
As a solution, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) gives assurance that changes with the way insurance rates will be determined will also take place. In October 2021, FEMA will release Risk Rating 2.0, a new flood risk assessment guideline. The objective of which is to correct insurance rates by using parameters such as distance from bodies of water, the size of the water concern and the built of the structure.
Still, it does not take away the fact that private insurance companies can withdraw or deny insurance coverage based on their own policies.
Insurance Companies Blame Roofers for Increasing Insurance Costs
Among several reasons given by insurance companies on why insurance rates are going up, are the recommendations of roofing contractors that encourage homeowners and property managers to spend on unnecessary repairs. Home and property owners subsequently put forward the repair costs as insurance claims for reimbursement.
Actually, Tampa Bay roofing experts give advice for customers, not to dismiss roof leaks as minor roof repair jobs. A leaking roof in tampa homes must be inspected thoroughly because water coming out of a roof does not stop in just one location.
As heavy rains continue to pummel roofs, especially during hurricane season that normally lasts up to November, water entering roofs will deal with its own level. This denotes that if it cannot escape by way of leaks, water could find new avenues by running down in the interiors of a home. When left unexposed before other forms of damages are revealed, roof leaks can cause wood materials to rot, metals to corrode, or concrete to weaken, all of which can cause greater and costlier problems.
Roof repair is a delicate process that requires expertise not only in replacing shingles, but about the entire roofing systems. In light of how houses in the region are affected by extreme climate conditions, the goal of licensed roofers in Tampa Bay is to provide long term solutions when addressing unique challenges posed by every roof leak problem.
Oceanographer Recommends a Practical Solution to Tampa Bay’s Environmental Problem
In dealing with such complexities, USF Oceanographer Dr. Rober Weisberg recommends that the easiest solution to dealing with the impact of Florida’s worsening environment and weather conditions is to stop building on shorelines. Dr. Weisberg suggests that what the Florida government should do is to give shoreline residents incentives to move away from bodies of water.
The USF Oceanographer opines that while we can solve environmental problems gradually, we cannot solve all problems by mere engineering. If at some point structural problems have worsened, it would be best not to rebuild on the shores.
