Insurance Litigation Group – Assisting Southwest Florida Homeowners, Businesses and Public Adjusters statewide with Hurricane Ian Insurance Disputes call today 850 919-HELP (4357)
Hurricane Ian – Devastating Damage to Southwest Florida and Beyond
On September 24, 2022 Tropical Storm Ian located in the Caribbean quickly intensified into a category 3 hurricane. Initially, Hurricane Ian made landfall in western Cuba, where heavy rains caused widespread flooding and nationwide power outage in Cuba. While initially weakening over Cuba, Hurricane Ian quickly strengthened over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. On September 28, 2022 , Hurricane Ian became a high-level Category 4 hurricane, progressing towards the west coast of Florida.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Ian made landfall in the United States at 3:05 p.m. on September 28th near Cayo Costa, Florida, an island off the coast of Fort Myers in southwest Florida. Ian hit southwest Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of 150 mph.
Insurance Litigation Group Law Firm Represents Insurance Policy Holders to Receive Full and Just Insurance Payouts for Hurricane Ian Home Insurance Claims.
Insurance companies all too often, are in business to minimize their expenses and insurance claim payouts. Florida insurance companies have been known to attempt to settle legitimate hurricane insurance claims by making low ball claim payout offers. At times, the insurance claims process can be even more contentious when an insurance provider rejects an insurance claim in its entirety. Our Florida hurricane Ian home insurance attorneys have the skills and experience to negotiate on your behalf to quickly attain the insurance payout you deserve.
If circumstances warrant, Insurance Litigation Group can also bring suit against your insurance provider and litigate your insurance claim in court. Before signing any settlement with your insurance company, give ILG a call. Consultations are free and no recovery equals no fee. Call our Florida hurricane Ian Insurance Law Firm office today at 850 919-HELP (4357).
The Destruction of Hurricane Ian
Extreme rainfall became particularly destructive, producing 1-in-1000-year amounts in some places. For example, Placida, north of where Ian’s eye made landfall, received more than 15 inches of rain over 12 hours, and Lake Wales, in Central Florida, reported nearly 17 inches of rain within 24 hours.
Ian thrashed parts of Florida’s western coast, bringing intense winds, heavy rainfall, and catastrophic storm surges. A storm surge with inundation of an unprecedented 12 to 18 feet above ground level was reported along the southwestern Florida coast, and the city of Fort Myers itself was hit particularly hard with a 7.26-foot surge—a record high.
If you are a Florida homeowner or business owner with a dispute regarding your hurricane Ian insurance claim, our experienced home insurance attorneys can represent you in the claim-processing process to recover funds commensurate with the damages you sustainedg from Hurricane Ian. Our home insurance attorneys can closely examine your claim adjuster’s claim report and make sure the proceeds of the claim are adequate to meet your Hurricane Ian repairs. Hurricane Ian Homeowners Insurance Law Firm call our office today at 850 919-HELP (4357).
Florida Communities Affected by Hurricane Ian
Sanibel Island
Walls and roofs were peeled away from many homes on Sanibel Island, leaving behind a skeleton of a community that was once considered paradise. Sanibel Island, which is part of Lee County in southwestern Florida, was one of the communities that were hardest hit by Ian.
Hurricane Ian destroyed a section of the Sanibel Causeway connecting Sanibel and Captiva with mainland Florida, preventing all access for ground vehicles.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed the Sanibel Causeway was “not passable” during Thursday’s Sept. 29th press briefing. He said both the causeway and the nearby Pine Island Bridge would both require a “structural rebuild.”
The Sanibel Causeway is a 3-mile stretch of road that rises into a bridge connecting the island with the mainland. The bridge is the only land-access route between the two areas.
Sanibel Island Hurricane Ian Homeowners Insurance Law Firm
Fort Myers
This barrier island on the southwestern coast of Florida sustained extensive damage when Hurricane Ian made landfall just 22 miles to the north. Debris littered the beaches, boats washed ashore, and many buildings vanished completely.
Smaller buildings were carried away by floodwaters and deposited elsewhere. Several buildings remained standing, but their entire first floors were destroyed.
In a survey of photographs and videos from the northern half of the island, The Times identified nearly 400 buildings, that were visibly destroyed or severely damaged.
Fort Myers Hurricane Ian Homeowners Insurance Law Firm
Naples and Collier County
Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann described the city’s damage as catastrophic. Officials reported the hurricane’s 20-foot waves from the Gulf of Mexico destroyed the historic Naples Pier. The storm’s destruction disrupted communications, electricity, water supply, and other services.
Countywide, 33 buildings were destroyed. A combined 3,515 residential and commercial buildings sustained major damage; the report said. Of the $2.2 billion in damage, which included the cities of Naples and Marco Island, $1.7 billion was damage to residential buildings and $492 million was damage to commercial buildings.
Naples Hurricane Ian Homeowners Insurance Law Firm
Cape Coral
Hurricane Ian caused unprecedented damage resulting in the need for tens of millions of dollars for a full recovery. The city of Cape Coral estimates $86 million will be needed to repair and reopen all city buildings, grounds, and functions in what is sure to be an arduous process.
Cape Coral city officials reported that a damaged water system distribution pipeline prompted the shutdown of the potable water system. Winds raged above 100 mph, and historic levels of storm surge flooded oceanfront and inland neighborhoods with over 12 feet of water in some areas.
Cape Coral Hurricane Ian Homeowners Insurance Law Firm
Port Charlotte
Port Charlotte sits across Charlotte Harbor from Punta Gorda. Ian’s ferocious winds left the town in shambles and water standing in several neighborhoods. Charlotte County reported 23 deaths related to Hurricane Ian. Residents of Port Charlotte experienced the following types of damage to their property:
- Roof damage, from high winds and flying debris
- Water damage from heavy rains and storm surge
- Damage from fallen trees
- Window damage from high winds and flying debris
Port Charlotte Hurricane Ian Homeowners Insurance Law Firm
Summary: Hurricane Ian
Ian was a large and destructive Category 4 Atlantic hurricane that was the deadliest hurricane to strike the state of Florida since the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. Ian caused widespread damage across western Cuba and the southeast United States, especially the states of Florida and South Carolina. It was the ninth named storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.
Hurricane Ian Mandatory Florida County Evacuation Orders Issued Sept 28, 2022
Charlotte County: Charlotte County Emergency Management has issued evacuation orders for residents in Zone A and B. This includes those living on the barrier islands of Don Pedro Island, Knight Island (Palm Island), Little Gasparilla Island, Gasparilla Island and Manasota Key, as well as residents in any zone living in mobile homes and trailers.
Find a Charlotte County Hurricane Ian Home Insurance Law Firm
Citrus County: Mandatory evacuation ordered for all zones.
Citrus County Hurricane Ian Home Insurance Law Firm
Collier County: Mandatory evacuation ordered for those living in the immediate coastal areas, west and south of US Highway 41/Tamiami Trail, in low-lying flood-prone areas and mobile homes.
Collier County Hurricane Ian Home Insurance Law Firm
Hernando County: Mandatory evacuations have been issued for all areas west of US 19, which include evacuation zones A, B, and C. All residents living in coastal and low-lying areas, as well as manufactured homes county-wide, are included. Residents are advised to seek safe shelter with family or friends that reside in a safe structure.
Hernando County Hurricane Ian Home Insurance Law Firm
Hillsborough County: Zone A (200,000 people) and Zone B (90,000) are under mandatory evacuation orders, including those living in low-lying areas and in mobile and manufactured homes.
Lee County: Lee County has issued evacuation orders for barrier islands and low-lying areas and the county will open some of its shelters for evacuees who do not have other locations to stay. The evacuation area includes all of Zone A, which generally includes islands and coastal areas, and Zone B south of Veterans Parkway.
Lee County Hurricane Ian Home Insurance Law Firm
Levy County: Coastal Communities, RV Parks, Mobile Homes and low-lying areas
Manatee County: Zones A and B are under mandatory evacuation orders. Evacuation is recommended for Zone C
Pasco County: Evacuations ordered in Zone A or for anyone who lives in a manufactured home, mobile home or RV anywhere in Pasco, or in a low-lying/flood-prone area. Those who live in structures that historically have experienced flooding during heavy rainfall are also required to leave. Anyone who lives in evacuation zones B or C is advised to leave.
Pinellas County: All residents in evacuation zones A, B and C, including all mobile home residents. All residential healthcare facilities will be under mandatory evacuation orders as well.
St. Johns County: Evacuation orders are effective Wednesday Sept. 28 at 6 a.m. for Zones A and B, which includes the entire City of St. Augustine, the City of St. Augustine Beach, and those living on waterfront property or flood-prone areas. In addition, the county is also evacuating part of Zone F for residents south of County Road 214.
Sarasota County: Evacuation Level A, all mobile homes and mobile home parks, RVs and boats.
Sarasota County Hurricane Ian Home Insurance Law Firm
Governor Declares State Emergency
On September 24, Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for all of Florida Tampa Bay area schools also announced closures, and several colleges and universities, including the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa, and Eckerd College announced that they were canceling classes. By September 27, 55 public school districts across the state announced cancellations, many through the end of the week. Officials at the Kennedy Space Center delayed the launch of NASA’s Artemis 1, and the rocket was returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building.
Declaration of a Major Disaster for the State of Florida
On September 29, 2022 a Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Florida (FEMA-4673-DR), was issued through the department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated September 29, 2022, the President issued a major disaster declaration under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the “Stafford Act”), as follows:
I have determined that the damage in the State of Florida resulting from Hurricane Ian beginning on September 23, 2022, and continuing, is of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the “Stafford Act”). Therefore, I declare that such a major disaster exists in the State of Florida.
In order to provide Federal assistance, you are hereby authorized to allocate from funds available for these purposes such amounts as you find necessary for Federal disaster assistance and administrative expenses.
You are authorized to provide Individual Assistance and assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program in the designated areas, Hazard Mitigation throughout the State, and any other forms of assistance under the Stafford Act that you deem appropriate subject to completion of Preliminary Damage Assessments.
Consistent with the requirement that Federal assistance is supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act for Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and Other Needs Assistance under section 408 will be limited to 75 percent of the total eligible cost. For a period of 30 days from the start of the incident period, you are authorized to fund assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, at 100 percent of the total eligible costs.
The time period prescribed for the implementation of section 310(a), Priority to Certain Applications for Public Facility and Public Housing Assistance, 42 U.S.C. 5153, shall be for a period not to exceed six months after the date of this declaration.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice that pursuant to the authority vested in the Administrator, under Executive Order 12148, as amended, Thomas J. McCool, of FEMA is appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this major disaster.
The following areas of the State of Florida have been designated as adversely affected by this major disaster:
Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties for Individual Assistance.
Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties for debris removal (Category A) under the Public Assistance program.
All 67 counties, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida are eligible for emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program.
All areas within the State of Florida are eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Hurricane Ian Aftermath – Damage Estimates
Preliminary estimates of damage from Hurricane Ian are wide-ranging. Various analytic agencies and insurance companies have placed losses in the tens of billions. Verisk Analytics indicated a total of $42–57 billion and potentially over $60 billion, when losses not covered under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are included.
Karen Clark & Co. placed insured damage at nearly $63 billion with total economic losses over $100 billion. On October 10, Risk Management Solutions, a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, placed private market damage at $53–74 billion with an additional $10 billion from the NFIP. Beyond physical and economic losses, The Triple-I Corporation estimated litigation costs in Florida would reach $10–20 billion.
On October 11, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated total losses would be more than $50 billion, likely making Ian the costliest hurricane in Florida’s history, surpassing Hurricane Irma. Ian marked the 15th billion-dollar disaster for the country in 2022.
About Insurance Litigation Group Hurricane Ian Insurance Law Firm
Our Florida hurricane Ian insurance litigation lawyers will consult with you to identify your goals and promptly handle your insurance company dispute. If necessary, to obtain the benefits you deserve, we will take the case to court or aggressively negotiate to maximize your insurance settlement to fully achieve your goals. Call our office today at 850 919-HELP (4357).
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