Florida's Economic Future Hinges on Storm Resilience, Leaders Warn

TAMPA, Fla. – January 20, 2026 – A powerful coalition of Florida's top business leaders issued a stark warning today, reframing the state's battle against severe weather as an urgent economic imperative. The Florida Council of 100 (FC100), a nonpartisan group of influential CEOs and executives, released a comprehensive report titled Resilience Reimagined: Modern Policy and Innovation for a Stronger Florida, arguing that the state's long-term prosperity is directly tied to its ability to withstand and recover from hurricanes and flooding.

The report moves the conversation about climate resilience from an environmental debate to a boardroom discussion, positioning it as a core strategy for protecting jobs, attracting investment, and sustaining Florida's formidable economic growth. It outlines a detailed roadmap for policymakers, urging strategic investments and modernized regulations to safeguard the state's future.

"Florida's future will be defined by how well we prepare for and respond to storms and flooding," said George S. LeMieux, Chair of The Florida Council of 100, in a statement accompanying the release. "Resilience is not just about repairing damage. It is about protecting our economy, safeguarding communities, and ensuring Florida remains one of the most competitive places in the world to live and do business."

An Economic Reckoning

The report argues that severe weather is no longer a sporadic threat but a recurring economic reality for a state generating over $4.5 billion in GDP daily. The financial stakes, according to the council, are immense. The document highlights research suggesting that every dollar not invested in hurricane preparedness costs over $7 in lost economic activity, while every dollar not spent on flood protection results in more than $25 in future losses.

"Every dollar we invest today in preparedness more than pays for itself in economic benefits," said Eric Silagy, Chair of the FC100 Resilience Committee. "This report makes clear that resilience is an essential economic competitiveness strategy... Smart policy and investment choices today will reduce costs, shorten or eliminate recovery times, stabilize housing markets, and keep businesses and talent here in Florida."

Beyond direct storm damage, the report points to cascading economic consequences. Failure to invest, it warns, leads to prolonged business interruptions, which can exceed property damage losses by 900%. This disruption threatens supply chains, leads to workforce displacement, and erodes community viability. The council also projects that severe weather-related property devaluation in Florida could reach between $10 billion and $30 billion by 2030, potentially soaring as high as $80 billion by 2050. This trend is already visible in the state's volatile property insurance market, where rising premiums and insurer withdrawals have become major concerns for homeowners and businesses alike.

A Blueprint for a Resilient Future

Resilience Reimagined is not merely a warning; it is a detailed policy blueprint focused on turning vulnerability into a competitive advantage. The FC100 proposes a multi-pronged approach centered on faster recovery, stronger infrastructure, and forward-thinking innovation.

Key policy recommendations include:

• Streamlining Post-Disaster Recovery: Cutting bureaucratic red tape in permitting and recovery processes to reduce delays and uncertainty for affected homeowners and businesses.
• Hardening Infrastructure: Prioritizing strategic investments to strengthen utilities and public works, limiting power outages and economic disruption. This includes ongoing efforts like undergrounding power lines.
• Modernizing Florida's Building Code: The report calls for significant updates to the state's already robust building code, which was largely overhauled after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Specific proposals include studying an expansion of the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) standards, currently limited to Miami-Dade and Broward counties, to other at-risk areas. It also suggests changing land-use rules to require building height in high-risk coastal zones be measured from the design flood elevation rather than the existing ground level, a move that would fundamentally alter construction in vulnerable areas.
• Incentivizing Private Investment: Creating programs to encourage homeowners and communities to invest in resilience measures, such as impact-resistant windows and flood barriers.

"Florida has an opportunity to lead the nation," said Rodney Barreto, Vice Chair of The Florida Council of 100. "We believe resilience can be legislated, engineered, and commercialized by developing policies that turn risk into economic strength and lead to building safer communities, supporting innovation, and creating industries of the future."

Building on Progress, Facing New Hurdles

The council's recommendations aim to enhance an existing, if fragmented, state framework for resilience. Florida has already established programs like the Resilient Florida Grant Program, which helps communities fund vulnerability assessments and adaptation projects. The FC100 report specifically advocates for a substantial increase in this program's funding, recommending it be boosted by $100 million annually until it reaches a stable $500 million per year.

However, implementing the report's ambitious agenda will face significant challenges. Securing the necessary public funds for infrastructure hardening and expanded grant programs will require sustained political will in the state legislature. Furthermore, proposals to tighten building codes and land-use regulations, while critical for long-term safety, often spark debate over increased construction costs and potential impacts on housing affordability.

Achieving the report's vision will demand a delicate balance between public investment and private-sector incentives, as well as careful navigation of regulatory processes and property rights concerns. Overcoming these hurdles will be crucial for translating the report's recommendations into tangible protections for the state's economy and its residents.

Safeguarding Communities and Quality of Life

Ultimately, the report frames its economic arguments within the context of protecting the well-being of Floridians. The proposed policies aim to create tangible benefits for residents: hardened infrastructure means shorter power outages after a storm; stronger building codes result in safer homes that can withstand higher winds and flooding; and streamlined recovery helps communities get back on their feet faster.

By focusing on stabilizing housing markets and reducing the financial shocks of natural disasters, the council's plan directly addresses the quality of life and long-term livability of the Sunshine State. The report serves as both a guide and a call to action, emphasizing that the decisions made today will have lasting consequences.

"The choices we make now will shape Florida's quality of life and economic strength for generations," said Michael Simas, President & CEO of the Florida Council of 100. "This report offers a clear path forward and an opportunity for Florida to define itself not by its exposure to storms, but by its ability to thrive despite them."