Hurricane Helene, the strongest storm to strike the Tampa Bay area in 103 years, claimed the lives of 12 people after making landfall on September 26, 2024. Pinellas County, which spans a 20-mile (32-kilometer) strip of barrier islands from St. Petersburg to Clearwater, suffered the most damage. In minutes, mansions, apartments, townhomes, beautifully colored single-family homes, mobile homes, restaurants, pubs, and shops were all destroyed or severely damaged.
Throughout the past century, the Tampa Bay area has been exceptionally fortunate. The total population of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and the surrounding areas has increased from roughly 300,000 to over 3 million since the last significant hurricane made landfall in 1921.
Over the years, numerous hurricanes have threatened Tampa Bay, but they invariably miss the region entirely and head straight north into the Panhandle or the Florida peninsula to the south.
The eye of Hurricane Helene made landfall 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of Tampa, a location that was never expected. However, because it was about 200 miles (320 km) broad and with winds gusting close to 140 mph (225 kph), it caused surges that affected the entire Florida peninsula’s Gulf Coast. The majority were not fatal, but the water wall on the coastal islands of Pinellas came from all directions.
It will take time for Pinellas County to get back to normal. St. Petersburg residents piled wet furniture, appliances, cabinets, and dry wall outside to be removed this week in the 90-degree heat. Sand was pushed back onto the beach by bulldozers. Clearwater storeowners threw out anything that could not be salvaged and are contemplating how to reopen, while others may close shop permanently. The damage is terrible, and it is unknown what insurance will cover.
What Do You Need to Know About Filing a Post-Storm Insurance Claim?
So far in Clearwater, St. Pete, and throughout Pinellas County, there have been more than 50,000 insurance claims filed. Those numbers are expected to rise in the coming days/weeks. With that said, if you have Hurricane Helene damage and need to file a claim, here are a few tips to remember:
- If you are planning to file an insurance claim, it is best to do this as soon as possible. Keep in mind that most of the damage seen in Pinellas County is storm surge-related flooding, which would be covered under your flood insurance policy not your homeowner’s insurance policy.
- Take as many pictures and videos as you can to document all your losses. This includes waterlogged furniture, flooring, water lines, and anything that was damaged.
- Most insurance companies will require that you clean your home of these waterlogged items, so that you can mitigate any further damage, like mold. This may mean that you need to place belongings on the curb after you document it, however it is a good idea to keep certain things, like pieces of drywall and flooring as an insurance adjuster may want to see that in person.
- Phone calls to your insurance company are not good enough – you want to have written communication with your adjuster as well. This is so that you have written proof that you have met all your obligations as a policyholder by providing them with photos, videos, and anything else that is needed to get coverage under your policy. Email is a great way to have written communication between you and your adjuster.
- If an adjuster comes to your home to assess damage, make sure it is one that works for your insurance company and not a public adjuster who will charge a separate fee for their service.
Our Clearwater and St. Pete Hurricane Helene Insurance Claims Lawyers at Whittel & Melton Are Here to Help
If you need assistance filing a claim, or if your insurance claim is denied or underpaid, please do not give up. You have legal options to fight for your rights as a policyholder, and our Pinellas County Hurricane Helene Insurance Claims Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are available 24/7 to walk you through this process. Call us today at 727-823-0000 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.