Understanding Hurricane Milton’s Impact on Florida
Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida on October 9 as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 120 miles per hour. Though the storm wasn’t as severe as was initially feared, it still caused extensive damage throughout the Sunshine State, prompting many homeowners to file insurance claims to cover the damage. Unfortunately, many of those claims are experiencing delays. While working with a Florida hurricane insurance claims attorney can help you navigate the appeals process, it’s helpful to understand why things are taking longer than they should. Here’s what the storm did to the state.
Extensive Property Damage
Milton is estimated to have caused roughly $50 billion in damage throughout the impacted area. That damage is spread across residential properties, commercial properties, agricultural ventures, and natural areas, all of which will need to be repaired before they can be safely used again. The extensive damage means millions of homeowners and business owners are having to file hurricane insurance claims, putting strain on the insurance industry which may not be able to pay out fair settlements in a timely manner.
Rising Insurance Prices
Insurance providers are businesses that need to make money to stay in operation. Unfortunately, the increase in claims has resulted in rising insurance prices for homeowners and business owners alike. As policies become more expensive, homeowners may be forced to go without or relocate out of state to an area with more affordable costs. Even if they choose to stay, the higher-priced insurance premiums may need to be offset by higher deductibles, which makes filing a claim more expensive. For some, filing claims may be out of reach, forcing them to cover the full cost of repairs out of pocket.
Damaged Infrastructure
Though the damage Florida experienced wasn’t as extensive as what was experienced in North Carolina, the hurricane still damaged local infrastructure. Electrical systems, roadways, and sidewalks were damaged or wiped out, making local travel difficult and cutting residents and businesses off from the power they need to remain safe and comfortable.
The state is working on repairs and trying to rebuild infrastructure as quickly as possible. But the cleanup process can take months. This means it may still be some time before everything is restored and fully functioning.
Interrupted Agriculture
Florida’s prized orange groves suffered extensive damage, with trees toppling over in the sustained winds. The trees that did survive were impacted by flooding which saturated the soil and put their established root systems at risk for mold, mildew, disease, pests, and other hazards. Though the surviving trees have yet to show significant damage, it’s likely that tree mortality rates will skyrocket over the next few years. And the groves aren’t the only ones impacted. Farmers raising all types of crops and livestock suffered extensive losses.
This puts a strain on farmers’ ability to provide quality products and may cause many farms to go under. Worse, it’ll contribute to an increase in jobless claims and higher prices on locally produced dairy, produce, and other products.
Why Work With a Florida Hurricane Insurance Claims Attorney
It should come as no surprise that insurance providers are struggling to process millions of claims as a result of the storm. This creates delays and keeps homeowners from getting the money they need to get their properties back into livable condition. Working with an experienced hurricane insurance claims attorney can help speed up the review of your claim and, if you need to file an appeal, they can represent your interests with the insurance company. You’ll save time and have an expert you can trust to argue your case.
At Parrish Law, our team is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.