Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen - May 2020 | Page 24
Section 252.34(8), Florida Statutes,
defines “natural emergency” as an
emergency caused by a natural event,
including, but not limited to, a hurricane,
a storm, a flood, severe wave action,
a drought, or an earthquake. The
statute goes on to define “manmade
emergency” and “technological
emergency.”
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exa
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me
wh
While COVID-19 is not a hurricane or
an earthquake, it is clearly a “natural
event” that is neither manmade nor
technological in nature. While the
governor’s executive orders issued
to date do not appear to clarify that
a pandemic is a “natural emergency,”
we have been working with local
governments throughout Florida
to ensure they allow for the permit
extensions. Furthermore, we worked
with the Department of Business &
Professional Regulation to include the
statutory building and development
permit extension allowance in
their “Frequently Asked Questions”
document as guidance for local
governments.