Hurricane and Storm Damage Insurance

December 20, 2024

News: Insurance claims from Hurricane Milton rise another $100 million

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The state of Florida has issued an update regarding the number of insurance claims filed as the result of the damage caused by Hurricane Milton.

According to Florida Politics, more than 313,000 insurance claims have now been filed in Florida due to Milton, resulting in a total of $3.448 billion in Florida claims.

That is an increase of $100 million from the previous figure posted last month by the state’s Office of Insurance Regulation. The office has been keeping track of claims made since Hurricane Milton hit the Gulf Coast in October. The number of claims was up nearly 11,000 from the last report. The new total includes 248,812 residential property claims and 14,805 commercial property claims.

December 2, 2024

News: Hurricane season ends after causing widespread damage in Florida

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

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.

November 18, 2024

News: 1 dead, 4 hurt when van returning from hurricane cleanup work crashes on I-75

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

OCALA, FL – A minivan returning from post-hurricane cleanup work was involved in a fatal accident in Marion County on Wednesday, according to the Ocala StarBanner.

Five men who were coming back from Georgia and heading toward Naples were in a Honda Odyssey van that was traveling south on Interstate 75.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver of the Honda lost control of the vehicle at the top of a hill near the exit for State Road 326, after one of the tires apparently blew out.

October 31, 2024

News: Pasco County opens temporary shelter for victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Pasco County is opening a site to give temporary housing to people who have been displaced by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, WFLA reports.

The shelter, Pasco Hope, will be located at 2654 Grand Boulevard in Holiday and is part of a partnership between the county and Catholic Charities.

It will provide temporary housing and support services for people trying to recover from the two devastating hurricanes. Staff members will be on hand around the clock to help with mental health counseling and case management.

October 18, 2024

News: Worker fatally struck by vehicle while clearing tree toppled by Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

POLK COUNTY, FL – As of this week at least 24 deaths in Florida have been attributed to Hurricane Milton, including a Polk County employee killed in an accident.

According to a news release, the incident happened Oct. 10 at the cross street of Brooke Road and US Highway 98 near Fort Meade at about 5:45 a.m.

Officials said Polk County Roads and Drainage employees were in the process of cutting down a tree that had fallen during the hurricane and was blocking US 98 when a vehicle struck a Fort Meade Maintenance Unit Service Worker.

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.