Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

October 17, 2024

News: Estimates place Hurricane Milton among costliest storms to date

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LARGO, FL – While Florida residents continue their efforts to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Milton, the financial costs of the storm are becoming more clear.

WTSP reports details of an assessment by Karen Clark & Company, which estimates that privately insured losses from Hurricane Milton are expected to reach $36 billon. In terms of the most costly hurricanes on record, the total would rank Milton behind Hurricanes Katrina and Ian, while placing it at about the same level of losses as Hurricane Ida.

So far, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation estimates combined insured losses from Hurricanes Helene and Milton at over $3 billion.

October 16, 2024

News: Voluntary evacuation order in part of Sumter County due to flooding from Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SUMTER COUNTY, FL – Rising flood waters persist in some parts of Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, including in Sumter County.

According to WKMG, a voluntary evacuation order was issued Monday for those living along the Withlacoochee River after officials warned that water levels had exceeded 11 feet and are expected to surpass 13 feet by Friday.

Sheriff’s deputies used an airboat to go door to door and ask residents if they wanted to be evacuated from their homes. A staging area was set up at County Road 684 and County Road 688 near the Croom area with fire trucks, a high-water rescue vehicle and an airboat.

October 15, 2024

Help with Flood Insurance Claims After Hurricane Helene and Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Our Florida Hurricane and Storm Damage Claims Lawyers at Whittel & Melton understand the devastation and loss that come after hurricanes like Milton and Helene. Flooding can bring out serious damage, and not all insurance companies will honor flood damage claims fairly or in a timely fashion. At Whittel & Melton, we are stay ready to help all individuals and families who have been affected by Hurricane Milton or Helene so that we can get you the financial compensation you need to not only recover, but also rebuild after these storms.

Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton Claims: Why You Need a Lawyer

It can be difficult and time-consuming to handle flood damage claims following hurricanes. Victims may find themselves in a delicate position when insurance companies underpay, postpone, or even reject their claims. Another layer of complexity comes from the fact that many flood insurance plans are supported by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Whether you are dealing with FEMA or a private insurance company, our lawyers at Whittel & Melton have successfully represented storm damage victims, making sure they lock in the full and fair compensation they deserve after a hurricane or storm has damaged their homes or businesses. We can do the same for you.

October 15, 2024

Hurricane Milton brought ‘historical flooding’ to low-lying areas of Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Recovery efforts continue in areas of Florida that were battered by the effects of Hurricane Milton.

Officials in Pasco County posted an alert over the weekend that there had been historical flooding in low-lying areas and in several neighborhoods around the county near rivers and lakes. Dozens of flooded roads were closed, and drivers were advised to navigate safely around them without driving through floodwaters.

WTSP reported that the Anclote River flooded due to heavy rainfall in the area, leaving houses and cars submerged in the water.

October 14, 2024

News: Driver dies when tree falls on car in CItrus County during Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CITRUS COUNTY, FL – Among the deaths attributed to Hurricane Milton was that of a driver in Citrus County in an accident early Thursday morning.

A report by WTSP states that the incident happened as the man was driving a Ford Taurus on East Parsons Point Road at about 1:30 a.m. The Florida Highway Patrol said a tree fell onto his car east of North Tomberlin Point.

The victim, a 46-year-old man from Inverness, was pronounced dead at the scene.

October 11, 2024

News: Millions still without power as residents assess damage from Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Over 2.5 million customers remained without power Friday as Florida residents assessed and repaired damage from Hurricane Milton, the Associated Press reports.

At least 12 deaths had been reported due to the hurricane, most in the eastern part of the state. There was widespread flooding in the path of the storm, though Milton did not prove to be quite as catastrophic as had been feared. Residents who evacuated their homes ahead of the hurricane returned to check on their property.

Hurricane Milton’s storm surge caused water levels along the Gulf Coast to rise at least 5 to 10 feet above ground level, according to preliminary estimates from the National Hurricane Center. The worst surge was reported along a

October 10, 2024

Hurricane Milton Moves Out of Florida, Flood Warnings Remain in Multiple Locations

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

On Thursday, Hurricane Milton made landfall in the Atlantic Ocean after devastating Florida, where it caused more than 3 million people to lose power, generated 150 tornadoes, and resulted in at least 12 deaths.

Hurricane Milton produced up to 18 inches of rain in certain regions, with Sarasota County experiencing the worst storm surge, which measured 8 to 10 feet.

While Hurricane Milton has passed out of Florida, flood warnings remain in certain areas.

October 10, 2024

News: Hurricane Milton slams Florida with heavy rain, dangerous winds, tornadoes

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SIESTA KEY, FL – Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night near Siesta Key south of the Tampa Bay area and proceeded to batter Florida with torrential rain, powerful winds, and tornadoes, WTSP reports.

The storm arrived as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing maximum sustained winds at 120 mph and causing life-threatening storm surge in parts of central and southwest Florida. The hurricane was moving off from Florida’s east coast into the Atlantic on Thursday morning, but a storm surge warning remained in place for much of the state’s east coast and parts of its west coast. The worst storm surge was apparently in Sarasota County, where it was 8 to 10 feet

The dangerous hurricane brought more destruction to a region still trying to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene just two weeks ago.

October 9, 2024

News: Pasco, Marion, Hernando and Citrus among counties under evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Preparations and evacuations continue across much of Florida as powerful Hurricane Milton bears down on the state’s West Coast.

According to the Associated Press, the hurricane was once again upgraded to a Category 5 on Tuesday as it moved across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. It was expected to reach the west-central coast of Florida Wednesday night somewhere near the Tampa Bay region Storm surge and hurricane warnings on the state’s west and east coasts remained in effect.

Along with sustained winds of 125 mph, forecasters said the storm could also bring more than a foot of rain to areas north of its eye, and up to 18 inches in some spots. “You’re going to see flooding of homes and businesses, you’re going to see rescues. It will flood in areas that don’t normally flood,” said Mike Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center. “I’m pleading with you to get out of those storm surge evacuation areas if you have not yet.”

October 8, 2024

News: Hurricane Helene caused tree to crash onto High Springs fire truck

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HIGH SPRINGS, FL – Among the many vehicles damaged across Florida by Hurricane Helene was one of the High Springs Fire Department’s fire trucks.

According to a WCJB report, Tanker 29 was responding to a structure fire during the hurricane when the firefighter on board encountered downed wires on Northwest 185th Street near Plantation Oaks. While the unit was stopped, it was struck by another tree that toppled more wires.

The firefighter managed to get out of the truck safely and was not injured. The truck is no longer in service because of the damage it sustained.