A roundup of news items related to climate change and other environmental issues in Florida:
FEMA changes promise faster help — and more up-front cash — for hurricane survivors | Miami Herald
The next time a hurricane rakes across Florida, storm victims will likely get more help, faster.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Friday that it’s slashing red tape and speeding up the post-disaster aid process starting on March 22.
The biggest changes include making it easier for all survivors to access the $750 cash payment that FEMA doles out after every disaster, plus a new, flexible cash payment to help people find housing in the two weeks after a storm hits. FEMA also plans to offer more cash to survivors who are underpaid by their insurance companies.
Largest deep-sea coral reef to date mapped off Florida coast by scientists | Associated Press
Scientists have mapped the largest coral reef deep in the ocean, stretching hundreds of miles off the U.S. Atlantic coast.
While researchers have known since the 1960s that some coral were present off the Atlantic, the reef’s size remained a mystery until new underwater mapping technology made it possible to construct 3D images of the ocean floor.
The largest yet known deep coral reef “has been right under our noses, waiting to be discovered,” said Derek Sowers, an oceanographer at the nonprofit Ocean Exploration Trust.
Third endangered Florida panther death reported in 8 days | WINK News
Another endangered Florida panther has reportedly been struck and killed by a car in Hendry County, becoming the third panther death reported in January.
According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Panther Pulse, a female panther was struck by a vehicle on County Road 833 Wednesday, just south of Hill Grade Road.
The female panther, identified as UCFP 452, was no older than 3 years old.
If you have any news items of note that you think we should include in our next roundup, please email The Invading Sea Editor Nathan Crabbe at ncrabbe@fau.edu. Sign up for The Invading Sea newsletter by visiting here.
