Hernando County Issues Mandatory Evacuation Orders for Hurricane Milton

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.

Shelters are encouraged to be used only as a last resort. Residents of Brooksville, Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee, Ridge Manor, Ridge Manor West, Masaryktown, Bayport, Aripeka, Lake Lindsey, and Hernando Beach are encouraged to take shelter with family or friends who live in a safe structure. If this is not possible, a public shelter will be open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the address listed below.

Challenger K-8 13400 Elgin Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34609

For more information about evacuation orders and shelters, you can visit the Hernando County Emergency Management website.

Do You Need Help Filing for FEMA Aid in Hernando County?

Hernando County, Florida residents can apply for FEMA aid for Hurricane Helene in the following ways:

• Call FEMA: Call FEMA’s hotline at 800-621-3362. The lines are open every day from 7 AM to 11 PM, and help is available in most languages.
• Visit the FEMA website: Go to DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Download the FEMA app: The app is available from the App Store or Google Play.

To apply for assistance, you will need:

• A current phone number
• Your address at the time of the disaster and where you are now staying
• Your Social Security number
• A list of damages and losses
• Banking information for direct deposit
• Your insurance information, including the company’s name, policy number, and agent (if you have one).

FEMA works with each household on a case-by-case basis offering serious needs assistance for essential items like water, food, baby formula and breast-feeding supplies, medications, and other emergency supplies.

Hernando County also has a Family Resource Center (FRC) that provides:

• Cleaning supplies
• Nonperishable food
• Water
• Toiletries
• Help with applying for available programs for assistance

The FRC is located at the Weeki Wachee Area Club at 7442 Shoal Line Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34607. It is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. If you have questions or need assistance, you can call the Public Information Center at 352-754-4083.

What Happens If My Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton Insurance Claim is Denied?

Insurance providers may reject claims for several reasons, such as:

• Insufficient damage documentation
• Disputes regarding the cause of damage (for example, wind vs. flood)
• Limitations on coverage or exclusions from policies
• Coverage limits or policy exclusions
• Missed deadlines for submitting proof of loss or required documentation

If your Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton damage claim is denied, here are the proper steps to take:

• Review the letter of denial you received. Go over the justification that your insurance provider sent you carefully. Knowing the cause of the denial is essential to your next actions.
• Obtain More Proof. Get additional evidence if your claim was rejected for lack of proper documentation. This might contain in-depth pictures and videos of the damage, quotes from contractors or repair estimates, and meteorological data from Hurricane Helene’s and Hurricane Milton’s arrival.
• Examine your policy. Make sure you understand your coverage and any exclusions by carefully reading your insurance policy.
• Maintain Extensive Documentation. Keep a record of everything you say to your insurance provider, including the times, dates, and identities of the representatives you speak with.
• Submit further proof. While most homeowner’s policies do not include an appeals process, you are always free to submit additional evidence to support your claim. Submit any additional information you gathered to your insurance provider.
• Consider Legal Representation. If you believe your claim was wrongly denied or handled in bad faith, you should consult with an attorney who has experience with bad faith insurance litigation.

What Are Bad Faith Insurance Practices?

Insurance providers are required by law to handle claims in a fair and reasonable manner. When an insurer fails to respect this commitment, “bad faith” occurs. Bad faith insurance practices in Hernando County might involve the following:

• Unreasonable delay in investigating or paying a claim
• Denying a claim without a thorough inquiry
• Falsifying the terms of the policy or the coverage
• Failure to give a reasonable justification for claim denial
• Using unscrupulous techniques to force policyholders to accept low settlements

While this can be a difficult and stressful time, know that a claim denial does not mean your road to recover is over. With the appropriate strategy and legal representation, many initial denials can be reversed. Our Hernando County Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton Damage Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you understand what needs to be done to achieve a full and fair payout on a post-storm insurance claim.

Call us anytime at 352-666-2121 or contact us online to request a free consultation. We are here to help you through this difficult time. Please stay safe and follow evacuation orders accordingly.