MAKE IT HAPPEN:
PREPARE AND EMBRACE THE STORM
Make Preparedness Happen in 2025
As hurricane season approaches, the Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. CPAs (THF) Government Consulting Services Team is focused on one thing: making preparedness happen—and we encourage you to do the same. Taking action now isn’t just important; it’s essential. The choices you make today will determine how well you weather the storms ahead.
The 2024 hurricane season was truly unprecedented, with 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes—three of which made landfall in Florida. It was a stark reminder that preparedness isn’t optional— it’s the foundation of resilience. Those who made it happen last season by planning ahead, securing resources, and training their teams were the ones best positioned to withstand the impact.
Now is the time to act. Preparedness doesn’t happen by chance—it happens by choice. At THF, we are committed to helping you take the steps needed to protect your community, business, and infrastructure
before the next storm forms. Proactive planning isn’t just about safety—it’s about preparing for a faster recovery and a stronger future.
Start today with simple but effective actions. Follow the “Halfway Full, Halfway There” approach recommended by the Florida Division of Emergency Management—keeping gas tanks at least half full throughout the season reinforces readiness when evacuation is necessary, but don’t stop there. Review emergency plans, update communication protocols, and make certain that essential supplies are stocked and accessible. Every step you take now puts you further ahead when it matters most.
At THF, we don’t just talk about preparedness—we make it happen. This hurricane season, we challenge you to do the same. Inspire your teams, lead your communities, and take action now to build a stronger, safer future.
Don’t wait. Don’t hope. Make it happen.
If you need our assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out here!
Some Things We Made Happen in 2024
St. Lucie County
In St. Lucie, THF collaborated with local, state, and federal agencies to support both current and future recovery efforts as part of its role in the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). By bringing together community agencies and pooling resources, THF helped expedite the recovery process. Working closely with county and state officials, THF played a key role in developing a long-term recovery plan so that local organizations could more effectively distribute resources to individuals and households affected by disasters. As a result, St. Lucie County is now better prepared to manage future incidents and provide ongoing support to its residents.
Suwannee County
THF is passionate about helping local communities recover from storm impacts. After Hurricane Helene, a dedicated six-person recovery team was deployed by The Florida Division of Emergency Management, to
Suwannee County to lead recovery efforts. They meticulously documented all expenses, making certain proper backup documentation was electronically recorded. Additionally, our recovery team managed both the damage assessment and recovery teams while assisting with logistics and planning for the Emergency Management Response.
THF EMBRACED THE 2024
HURRICANE SEASON
Electric Cooperative Appeal
At Thomas Howell Ferguson, we are committed to making an impact at every level of government. Our recent success in a FEMA appeal (Appeal #000-UK4RB-00) for Central Florida Electric Cooperative (CFEC) highlights how our experience helps clients navigate complex regulations and secure the funding they deserve. This victory not only benefits CFEC but also has the potential to shape FEMA policies on emergency pay eligibility.
Initially, FEMA restricted reimbursement for emergency pay to hours worked beyond 40 per week. However, our team successfully demonstrated that extraordinary costs incurred by essential personnel during disaster response should be fully eligible, regardless of total hours worked. While many employees were placed on administrative leave during the hurricane, essential personnel were recalled to perform critical operations and received emergency pay under the Cooperative’s labor policy—developed with our assistance to align with FEMA’s compliance criteria.
This appeal victory has far-reaching implications. As a FEMA representative noted, decisions like this can redefine how policies are applied moving forward. Beyond this case, the ruling strengthens the ability of cooperatives and other organizations to properly compensate essential employees for their critical contributions while securing full reimbursement for these extraordinary costs.
Florida Electric Cooperatives
Our team stands with electric cooperatives before, during, and after the storm, establishing a smooth and efficient recovery process.
✅ Pre-Storm Planning – We assist cooperatives with developing policies and procedures for storm response, proactively mitigating future documentation challenges.
✅ On-the-Ground Support – During the storm, we provide guidance on Public Assistance requirements, assisting in real-time documentation to streamline the recovery process.
✅ Post-Storm Recovery – We compile and organize essential documentation for Public Assistance reimbursement, helping cooperatives maximize funding, and minimize disallowances, which allows the Cooperatives to expedite power restoration.
With our experience, cooperatives can focus on what matters most—keeping the lights and air on for their communities.
2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Names
- Andrea
- Barry
- Chantal
- Dexter
- Erin
- Fernand
- Gabrielle
- Humberto
- Imelda
- Jerry
- Karen
- Lorenzo
- Melissa
- Nestor
- Olga
- Pablo
- Rebekah
- Sebastien
- Tanya
- Van
- Wendy
