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1 Death Blamed On Fay As State Eyes Effects, Storm

Tribune photo by COLIN HACKLEY

Attorney General Bill McCollum, left, Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink say Florida is responding to complaints of price gouging in areas affected by Tropical Storm Fay.

By CATHERINE DOLINSKI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

Updated: 08/20/2008 02:25 pm

TALLAHASSEE - Tropical Storm Fay can be blamed for one death in Florida, that of a man in Highlands County man who died of carbon monoxide poisoning after testing two generators indoors.

The name of the 54-year-old man has not been released.

The storm appears to have spawned six tornadoes in Florida, said state meteorologist Ben Nelson, downgrading the initial report of eight twisters.

The state is dispatching agents to one affected neighborhood of manufactured housing, Barefoot Park in Brevard County, to help residents guard against unlicensed claims adjusters and scam artists, said state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink.

Florida's largest property insurer, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., has received 143 claims, Sink said. "That's encouraging, that there has been very little claim activity, and I expect the other large insurance companies are expecting the same thing."

Attorney General Bill McCollum said a state hot line has drawn 81 confirmed complaints from consumers about price gouging on storm supplies and services. Of those, 10 came from Hillsborough County, one came from Pasco County, five came from Pinellas County and 11 from Polk County. The most frequent complaints pertained to elevated prices for food, water and ice, then about prices on hotel accommodations and batteries.

"We haven't had calls on what I'm most concerned about right now, and that's with post-event price gouging: You've got damage, and somebody comes out and offers repair services or some supply or whatever it is," he said. "We see a lot of people trying to take advantage of folks after the storm comes, when they are trying to get their act together and repair their home or get debris taken out of their yard."

McCollum said his economic crimes division is investigating complaints, which could lead to civil fines of up to $1,000 per occurrence.

Early voting remains suspended in several counties, but Gov. Charlie Crist and Secretary of State Kurt Browning said they do not foresee a need to forestall the Aug. 26 primary.

State Emergency Operations director Craig Fugate said Floridians should remain cautious this week, because neither rainfall intensity nor frequency of tornadoes has anything to do with the strength of a storm. "Some of the most devastating floods in our country have occurred in tropical systems, not hurricanes."

Crist echoed Fugate's comments. "We have to take this seriously. This is a serious event," he said. "This is not a dry run."

Price-Gouging Complaints By County

•Brevard, 2

•Broward, 4

•Columbia, 1

•Miami-Dade, 2

•Duval, 3

•Hillsborough, 10

•Indian River, 6

•Lee, 5

•Manatee, 1

•Marion, 2