As Florida prepares for Hurricane Helene’s arrival, Governor Ron DenSantis expanded his state of emergency declaration to 61 counties.
“Right now you do have time, so take advantage of that time,” Ron DeSantis said.
As of now, at least 22 counties in Florida have some form of an evacuation order issued for residents.
Some people fail to see the potential impact a category 3 hurricane can have. Hurricane Wilma made landfall in 2005 along Florida’s West Coast and caused $16.9 billion in damage, killed 5 people, and spawned 10 tornadoes.
Life-threatening conditions are expected as Hurricane Helene Approaches Florida.
The National Hurricane Center warns that “a catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely along portions of the Florida Big Bend coast, where inundation could reach as high as 20 feet above ground level, along with destructive waves.”
The time to act is now to keep the ones you love safe and to keep your property safe.
“This is not a storm you want to ignore. Florida’s Big Bend has already seen storm after storm, and now they have what may very well be a category 4 hurricane on their doorstep. Please listen to what local authorities are saying. If they tell you to evacuate, please evacuate. Your property can be restored – take care of the human lives around you because those are far more important.” ~ Attorney John Tolley, Founder of JT Law Firm.
Hurricane Helene is expected to strengthen further and reach major hurricane status before making landfall somewhere on or near Florida’s panhandle.
If Hurricane Helene meets the expectations of what meteorologists are predicting and reaches major hurricane status, the impact on Florida and the surrounding states will be significantly felt.
Here’s what we can expect on the bottom end of a major hurricane:
- Sustained winds between 111 to 130 MPH with wind gusts exceeding these figures.
- Storm surge between 9 to 12 feet with local areas predicted to experience a surge of up to 20 feet.
- Many mobile homes in the area will likely be destroyed.
- Expect to see widespread roof damage across residential and commercial properties.
- Flooding caused by storm surge can damage or destroy small and large structures.
- Tree damage is very likely.
- Flying debris capable of damaging homes and structures is likely.
- Tornadic activity is a high possibility with any hurricane.
- With Helene, 8-12 inches of rain is expected, with up to 2 feet falling in isolated areas.
In a video posted on YouTube from the Weather Channel, Meteorologist Mark Elliot demonstrates the impact a hurricane can have on a home. With the use of a visual aid, he shows what a Category 1 through 5 hurricane could do to a home.
The video goes on to show what a category 3 hurricane can do:
- Powerful winds can cause your doors to be blown in
- The siding of your house can break
- Flying debris can break or damage windows
- Winds and gusts can cause sections of your roof to move up and down
- Roof damage in the form of missing shingles is likely to occur
Prepare for a future Hurricane Helene Property Damage claim now.
All Florida residents along the path of Hurricane Helene should prepare now in the event their home is damaged. Take pictures and videos of your property now before Helene arrives.
Pictures and videos are excellent evidence sources that can strengthen your hurricane damage claim, making it easier to receive a high payout for any damage your property sustains.
Be alert, take action now, and stay safe!
For any Hurricane Helene property damage related questions, please contact our law firm at (855) 585-2997 or message us online.
