Hurricane Milton Tornado Damage

Hurricane Milton Tornado Damage

Florida’s Unexpected Catastrophe

When Hurricane Milton slammed into Florida earlier this week, those outside the hurricane’s path expected heavy rainfall and minimal flooding. However, many Florida residents faced an entirely different danger: tornadoes. In just under 25 minutes, three tornadoes ripped through St. Lucie County, claiming lives and leaving a trail of destruction. CNN reported, “At least nine tornadoes tore through communities over 100 miles inland.” The tornadoes Hurricane Milton produced were particularly intense and “supercharged” compared to typical hurricane-spawned tornadoes.

The devastation from these tornadoes was unprecedented. Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon Martin noted, ‘There’s no way we could have predicted this type of activity because this is just not precedented.” These tornadoes left homes destroyed and entire neighborhoods leveled. St. Lucie Sheriff Keith Pearson described the devastation bluntly: “Everything in the tornado’s path is gone.”

 

Tornadoes and Hurricane Coverage: What’s Included? 

If your property was damaged by tornadoes during Hurricane Milton, your insurance policy should typically cover the wind damage caused by the tornado. However, many insurance carriers have started to sneak in wind exclusions in policies—limiting the amount of coverage you can get.

We want to stress the importance of documenting all damage before cleanup begins. It’s important you paint a full picture of the loss with proper documentation—hopefully setting your insurance claim up for success. For those with flood insurance, it’s also important to note that your flood policy may have deadlines and requirements different from those of your primary insurance policy. 

Key Steps to Take After Hurricane Milton Tornadoes

If you’ve experienced damage, documenting everything is the first step towards recovery!

Our team is ready to help you in any way we can! Navigating the claims process can feel like a full-time job—often taking several hours a week to stay on top of the process. Premier Claims is here to take the added burden off your plate. For immediate assistance, contact our team today!

Insurance Carriers Delays and Fair Treatment

Unfortunately, it’s common for insurance carriers to delay or minimize payouts after a disaster. You can push for a professional assessment if you feel you aren’t getting a fair settlement. This is where working with a public adjuster, like those at Premier Claims, could come in handy. A public adjuster works on behalf of the policyholder—not the insurance carrier. 

Rebuilding and Moving Forward

As recovery continues across Florida, remember rebuilding will take time. Potential relief options are available through your insurance policy and FEMA, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and local nonprofit organizations like the Red Cross. Temporary housing options may be  available for those who have been displaced. Airbnb is one of many organizations working to help those who were impacted. Even in the face of disaster, Floridians are coming together, with local, state, and federal resources stepping in to provide relief. 

The tornadoes that accompanied Hurricane Milton serve as a reminder of nature’s unpredictability. While we can prepare for hurricanes, unexpected disasters—like the deadly tornadoes that ravaged Florida—highlight the importance of adequate insurance coverage for the least expected.. As residents begin to rebuild, it’s critical to remain vigilant in documenting damage, advocating for fair treatment from insurance carriers, and seeking additional assistance when needed. Our team is here to review your insurance policy and identify potential gaps in your coverage to prepare for future losses. Reach out today for a free policy review. 

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Hurricane Milton’s Looming Threat

A Hurricane for the History Books—Made Worse by the Wreckage from Hurricane Helene

As Florida anxiously awaits the arrival of Hurricane Milton, many policyholders are still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The combination of uncollected debris and an intensifying storm sets the stage for a “worst-case scenario.” Residents should brace for potentially catastrophic impacts as the storm’s trajectory threatens the already fragile communities. Milton is no ordinary hurricane, and Helene’s remaining debris (which may be the biggest threat) —amplifies the potential for devastation.

 

The Aftermath of Helene: Debris as Dangerous Missiles

Helene swept across Florida just a few weeks ago, wreaking havoc across major parts of the Gulf Coast. This storm left mountains of debris, ranging from uprooted trees, mangled fences, and destroyed homes, scattered across neighborhoods. Despite ongoing cleanup efforts, large areas remain cluttered with potentially dangerous materials. 

As Hurricane Milton strengthens, the National Hurricane Center warns these debris piles could easily become piles of deadly projectiles, posing severe risks to life and property. Milton’s intense winds and storm surges could send everything from furniture to fallen trees flying through the air. 

According to USA Today, Milton has rapidly gained strength, escalating from 85 mph to a Category 5 Hurricane. The storm has strengthened from a Category 2 to a Category 5 in mere hours—creating what meteorologists call a life-threatening wall of water. “Milton is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge and winds capable of devastating damage. Combined with Helene’s debris, the state is facing one of the most compounded threats in its hurricane history,” USA Today. 

Volunteers and first responders are working at rapid speeds in relief efforts, hoping to do as much as they can in Florida before Hurricane Milton makes its mark. ABC News reported, “Nearly 500 truckloads of debris from the barrier islands and Pinella County have been moved to debris landfills in the last 24 hours.”

Policyholder Impacts: Increased Threats, Increased Costs

For Florida property owners, Hurricane Milton poses a compounded risk. If your property was damaged by Helene and you’re awaiting repairs, Milton could worsen the situation. Even if your property was spared in Helene, the potential for damage in Milton remains high, thanks to both the debris and the sheer force of Milton’s winds and storm surges. 

One major concern is the increased potential for water damage. Many areas have drainage systems that have been compromised by debris blockages from Hurricane Helene. Communities in Tampa Bay, for instance, are bracing for more intense flooding than they experienced during Hurricane Helene. Helene’s storm surge already shattered records in multiple counties, including Pinella, where water levels surged over two feet higher than previous records. Milton is projected to follow in Helene’s destructive footprint.

If you haven’t already, reach out to your carrier for a copy of your full insurance policy. Consider having your policy reviewed by professionals to understand your coverage fully. To request a policy review from our team, you can submit a request here: Free Policy Review.

Hurricane Milton’s Path: What to Expect

Florida is now high on alerts, with the National Hurricane Center predicting a catastrophic landfall Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Governor Ron DeSantis has expanded the state of emergency to 51 of 76 counties, urging residents to finalize their hurricane preparations. To put it into perspective, this puts 76% of the state at risk. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warns, “Time is going to start running out very, very soon,” ABC News reported.

The National Hurricane Center predicts, “heavy rainfall will impact portions of Florida today well ahead of Milton.” This rainfall could bring with it severe flash flooding in neighborhoods and rivers. 

Hurricane Milton’s sustained winds, already approaching 160 mph, are being fueled by the deep, warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Experts predict it could make landfall as a strong Category 3 or Category 4 storm. While there’s hope the wind shear may weaken the storm before landfall, meteorologists still warn how dangerous the severity of this storm may be—making this a significant threat for all Florida property owners. 

A Perfect Storm for Catastrophic Damage

With Hurricane Milton expected to intensify, policyholders should not underestimate the threat posed by lingering debris from Helene. This one-two punch of hurricanes could go down as one of the most catastrophic in Florida’s history. The key now is preparation. While Floridians are understandably exhausted, this is the time to secure homes, stay informed, and hope for the best while preparing for the worst. Our team is ready to assist in any way we can; reach out today for immediate assistance. Remember—your safety is the number one priority.

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