Lived in South Florida for more than 30 years.
Lost my house to "Andrew"
State and local price gouging laws prohibit "unconscionable" prices beyond the extra cost of acquiring or transporting goods or services.
If trucking costs go up on transporting $25 plywood so the added cost goes up to $28.50, that's allowed.
If the National price of plywood goes up because of shortages, the legitimate retail price can go up accordingly.
BUT
The gas stations selling gas to $1.89 up to the storm, that still have that priced gas in their tanks CANNOT legally jack up the price just because the storm hit.
Jokers got busted for booking rooms before the storm at $69 a night, and during the storm charged elderly couples double.
Crap generators worth $300 were sold for 3 times as much as "professional models". And then there's the asshole selling Professional Gas Cans for $169 that he sold for weeks before the storm at the regular price of $48.
Make money off my misery? Sure, make an honest profit as a responsible businessman.
Rip me off, make me a victim twice, and curl up in your hole and die like the pig you are.
Let your family go thru it, and see how you feel.