Hurricane and Storm Damage Insurance

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.

October 3, 2024

News: Damage from Hurricane Helene results in $657M in insurance losses in Florida

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Damage from the effects of Hurricane Helene has resulted in an estimated $657 million in insurance losses in Florida so far, according to a WUWF report.

Data from Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation showed that the losses increased to that total on Tuesday, up from $507 million the previous day. 65,716 claims had been filed as of Tuesday, an increase from 48,341 on Monday.

Over half the claims, 33,130, involved residential property, while others included damage to automobiles and commercial property.

October 2, 2024

News: Tree toppled by Hurricane Helene crashes through school bus window in Seminole County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL – A student in Seminole County narrowly escaped injury following an accident Friday morning caused by the destructive force of Hurricane Helene.

WOFL reported details of the incident and spoke with the 8th grader about what happened.

He was riding on a school bus headed for Teague Middle School in Altamonte Springs when a tree toppled by the hurricane on the side of the road came crashing down through a bus window as the driver was making a turn, and sent glass flying.

October 1, 2024

News: Passenger killed when highway sign falls on car on I-4 during Hurricane Helene

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

TAMPA, FL – A traffic fatality in the Tampa area last week was linked to the effects of Hurricane Helene, according to the Miami Herald.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the incident occurred Thursday night along Interstate 4 near Ybor City at about 7:49 p.m. The FHP said a 61-year-old Gibsonton man was driving a Honda Odyssey westbound near 21st Street when a highway exit sign fell and landed on the car, which had four people inside.

One passenger, a 23-year-old man from Gibsonton, was killed in the accident.

September 30, 2024

News: Hernando County dealing with extensive damage in aftermath of Hurricane Helene

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HERNANDO COUNTY, FL – People in many parts of Florida are now dealing with the damage and flooding left behind by Hurricane Helene, and the Hernando Sun reported on the impact of the storm in that particular region.

The county was hit hard by the hurricane, with the storm surge reaching 8 feet in the coastal areas. Authorities made dozens of water rescues, and Hernando County Fire Rescue responded to several fires in the Hernando Beach area after seawater came in contact with lithium batteries used in toys, power tools, and electric vehicles.

Many residents experienced flooded homes, and damage or total loss of their belongings. Widespread power outages added to the challenges of trying to recover.

September 26, 2024

Hurricane Helene Now Category 3 Storm with 120 mph Winds | Hurricane Storm Damage Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Hurricane Helene strengthened again Thursday morning, and it is now a Category 3 hurricane having maximum sustained winds of 120 mph.

Both the storm’s magnitude and severity are increasing.

With a potentially fatal storm surge, it is predicted to make landfall in the Florida Big Bend tonight as a powerful hurricane in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.