Hurricane Irma: Florida Activates Price Gouging Hotline

TALLAHASSEE, FL — As residents across the Sunshine State prepare for the danger that powerful Category 5 Hurricane Irma may pose, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced the activation of price gouging hotline. The hotline’s activation comes on the heels of Gov. Rick Scott’s statewide emergency declaration.

“Floridians need to prepare now and they should not be inhibited by unlawful price increases on supplies necessary to brace for a major hurricane strike,” Bondi said in a statement announcing the hotline’s activation. “By reporting suspected price gouging, you can protect yourself and your fellow Floridians.”

Florida law makes it illegal for retailers to hike prices on essentials, such as food, water, gasoline, ice, lumber and hotel rooms, when a state of emergency has been declared. The law provides for penalties of up to $1,000 per violation and up to $25,000 in fines for multiple violations within a single 24-hour period. (For more hurricane news or local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Brandon Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Residents who suspect price gouging are asked to contact the Attorney General’s Office by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM. Florida law also makes it a criminal offense for people to offer goods or services without an occupational license. Those who break the law could face second-degree misdemeanor charges.

• See also: ‘Extremely Dangerous’ Hurricane Irma Upgraded To Category 5, Threatens Florida

While Irma’s eventual path remains somewhat murky, the chances of her having an impact on Florida have increased over the past 24 hours. On Monday, Scott declared a state of emergency across all 67 counties. Emergency managers and forecasters across the state are also urging residents to prepare for worst and hope for the best.

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As of 8 a.m. Sept. 5, Irma was located about 270 miles east of Antigua. She was moving west at 14 mph while packing 175 mph maximum sustained winds.

Image courtesy of the National Hurricane Center