Hurricane Milton Hits Category 5 Status—Prepare Yourself

Florida Property Owners Forced to Prepare for Hurricane Milton Days After Hurricane Helene

Florida is no stranger to hurricanes, but the threat of Hurricane Milton, following closely on the heels of Hurricane Helene, is unimaginable. If you’re still dealing with the destruction of Helene or in the path of Milton, it’s crucial to take immediate and proactive steps to protect your property, family, and, most importantly, yourself.

“There are simply no words to describe the extraordinary intensification we have witnessed in this storm today,” US Stormwatch weather analyst Colin McCarthy posted on X.

 

Clear Debris and Secure Loose Items

After Hurricane Helene, your property may be littered with debris that can become dangerous projectiles in Milton’s high winds. Items left unattended can exacerbate damage and pose significant risks to life and property. 

Clear Your Property

If it’s safe to do so, take pictures of your property and the damage from Hurricane Helene. Remove fallen branches, shingles, and other debris from your yard to prevent them from becoming hazardous during Hurricane Milton.

Secure Loose Items

Bring in patio furniture, grills, bicycles, and any other loose items that could be lifted by the wind. Consider securing heavy items with tie-downs. 

Check Local Resources

If you have large hazardous debris, contact local waste management or disaster relief services for assistance in removal. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis “ordered all disaster debris management sites to remain open to allow 24-hour drop-off,” reported by 10 Tampa Bay.

Hurricane Milton Resources

For a county-by-county guide on what to do with debris before Hurricane Milton makes landfall, read the following guide: DEBRIS CLEANUP: Here’s a county-by-county guide on what to do with debris ahead of Milton.

We’ve created a state-by-state guide for those affected by Hurricane Helene and those preparing for Hurricane Milton. Our team will continue to update the guide as more resources become available. To find the resources in your state, read our complete guide: Hurricane Emergency Resources.

Document the Current State of Your Property

As Hurricane Milton approaches, it’s important to document the current state of property and any damage sustained from Hurricane Helene. Given the close proximity of the storms, knowing which hurricane caused what can come in handy during the claims process. That being said, your safety is our top priority. Do not document your property if it isn’t safe to do so. 

Thorough Documentation

Organize Your Records

Our team is in the field rapidly trying to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene and are prepared to do the same for Hurricane Milton. For assistance in your recovery, contact our team today!

Fortify Your Property’s Defenses

Hurricane Milton’s winds can exploit any weaknesses left behind by Helene. Now is the time to reinforce your property against further damage. The next 24 hours will be crucial. 

Evacuation Plan

Hurricane Milton is projected to be a storm for the history books. It became a Category 5 storm this afternoon and is expected to maintain speed as a Category 3 or 4 when it makes landfall in Florida. If you are a Florida resident, we urge you to take the gravity of this storm seriously and protect yourself. Having a solid evacuation plan is a top priority. 

Your Safety is Priority #1

With Hurricane Milton fast approaching, Florida property owners must take immediate and decisive action to protect not only their property—but, ultimately, themselves. While the thought of facing another hurricane is daunting, your preparedness can make all the difference. Above all, your safety is our priority, and we stand ready to support you every step of the way. Contact our team today for hurricane assistance.

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.