The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season came to end on Saturday, but it left behind dozens of deaths and widespread damage across the state of Florida.
There were 18 named storms during the season that began June 1, including three that directly impacted Florida: Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. 63 people died as a result of those storms, and the Tampa Bay Business Journal reports they caused estimated losses of $5.3 billion, while bringing 314,000 insurance claims from homeowners and 16,000 by commercial property owners.
Following Hurricane Debby in early August, Hurricane Helene intensified rapidly before making landfall in Taylor County on the Florida coast Sept. 26 as a major Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 140 mp. It brought catastrophic flooding and widespread wind damage from Florida’s Gulf Coast to the southern Appalachians.
Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico in early October and quickly strengthened to a Category 5 before making landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota County. Milton caused a destructive storm surge and an outbreak of 46 tornadoes.
Mark Wool, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Tallahassee office, said meteorologists are concerned about the recent storms that are strengthened by warm ocean waters.
“There’s a trend associated with climate change, not just in the Gulf Coast, but globally, that there’s not necessarily going to be more hurricanes, but the ones that develop, more of them will reach that major hurricane or Category 4 and 5 strength,” Wool said.
As cleanup and recovery efforts continue in the aftermath of the hurricanes, FEMA has extended the deadline for residents to apply online for financial relief to Jan. 7, 2025.
Of the 18 named storms during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, 11 became hurricanes, with winds of 74 mph or greater. Five intensified to major hurricanes, with winds of 111 mph or greater, with are Category 3 or higher storms. That is above the historical average of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
Hurricane, storm, and wind damage are issues that property owners need to anticipate and address. Often, homeowners’ insurance policies cover wind but not flooding. Accordingly, the cost of replacing your roof when it has been damaged by hurricane winds may be covered, while damage to your home’s interior may not be. It is essential to look at your policy to understand what is covered entirely. If your claim was wrongly denied, you should consult an experienced attorney. The Florida personal injury lawyers at Whittel & Melton are here to help if you are dealing with hurricane damage. We can be reached by phone at 866-608-5529 or through our online contact form.