Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

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.

October 7, 2024

Hernando County Issues Mandatory Evacuation Orders for Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

While Spring Hill, Brooksville, and the rest of Hernando County are still cleaning up the damage from Hurricane Helene, Hernando County Emergency Management has issued mandatory evacuation orders starting at 8am on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 due to the category 5 Hurricane Milton expected to make landfall on Wednesday, October 9.

Hernando County residents looking for shelter are advised to arrive at their designated site by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

All regions west of US 19 are under mandatory evacuation, including evacuation zones A, B, and C. This includes all countywide mobile home inhabitants as well as those residing in low-lying and coastal locations. If you need to know your zone, you can find it here.

October 7, 2024

News: Hundreds of homes, buildings damaged in Citrus and Hernando counties by Hurricane Helene

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HERNANDO COUNTY, FL – Florida residents are continuing to clean up and assess the damage left behind by Hurricane Helene.

A report by WTVT states that at least 500 homes in Hernando County and about 300 buildings in Citrus County sustained major damage, with the Citrus damage estimated at about $70 million. Storm surge of up to 10 feet was reported in many of the communities close to the Gulf.

Homeowners along inlets in Homosassa were among those removing belongings from their homes, which had about three feet of water. Trucks were helping residents remove debris, and shelters were open for residents whose homes were too damaged to return.