Triple-I Offers Preparedness Tips for Floridians as Major Hurricane Milton Approaches State
07 Octubre 2024 - 1:31PM
Business Wire
Florida residents should finalize preparations for significant
impacts of Hurricane Milton, which is forecast to make landfall
along Florida’s west-central Gulf Coast as a major hurricane on
Wednesday, Oct. 9, according to the Insurance Information Institute
(Triple-I).
Milton, which rapidly intensified to a Category 5 major
hurricane late Monday morning with sustained winds of 160 mph, is
the 13th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, ninth
hurricane and fourth major hurricane. It will become the fifth
landfalling tropical cyclone in the U.S. this year and third
Florida landfall of 2024.
Hurricane Debby, a Category 1 storm, made landfall along
Florida’s Big Bend region on Aug. 5 with sustained winds of 80 mph.
On Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend’s
Taylor County as a Category 4 major hurricane with sustained winds
of 140 mph.
If the forecast holds, Milton would be the fourth major
hurricane to strike Florida over the past two years following
Hurricane Ian (Category 4 on Sept. 28, 2022), Hurricane Idalia
(Category 3 on Aug. 30, 2023) and Hurricane Helene (Category 4 on
Sept. 26, 2024). Overall, Milton would be the 11th major hurricane
to make a Florida landfall since 2004.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has begun issuing Hurricane
Watches, Tropical Storm Watches and Storm Surge Watches for
portions of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Most of the Florida Peninsula and
Florida Keys is expected to be placed under various storm warnings
by tomorrow.
Additionally, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a State of
Emergency for 51 of Florida’s 67 counties to ensure resources are
in place to respond to the storm. Widespread mandatory evacuations
are being ordered across Gulf Coast communities. The Florida
Division of Emergency Management expects this to be the largest
evacuation effort since Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
“Milton is expected to accelerate northeastward toward the west
coast of Florida, likely making landfall along the central part of
the west coast of Florida Wednesday evening,” Triple-I non-resident
scholar Phil Klotzbach, Ph.D., a senior research scientist in the
Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University,
said in a brief update on Monday afternoon.
Klotzbach added, “Milton is expected to weaken somewhat as it
approaches the coast due to strong vertical wind shear but still
likely to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall. In addition
to the significant wind threat from Milton, storm surge also has
the potential to be severe.”
The NHC warned that impacts of Milton could include destructive
hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge, flash
flooding, isolated tornadoes and widespread power outages across
Florida. In addition to Florida, the NHC indicated some areas of
south Georgia and South Carolina could see some impacts as Milton
exits Florida into the Atlantic Ocean.
Preparedness Tips
The Triple-I offers preparedness tips for all residents and
business owners in the path of Milton:
- Review your evacuation plan and, if you have a pet, your pet's
evacuation plan; heed all evacuation orders from local
authorities
- Make sure your hurricane kit includes a minimum 14-day supply
of non-perishable food and drinking water (one gallon per person,
per day) for all family members and pets, as well as a two-week
supply of medications for everyone in your household
- Create a home inventory and make sure you can access it
remotely if you need to evacuate
- Write down the name and phone number of your insurer and
insurance professional and keep this information either in your
wallet or purse
- Purchase emergency supplies, such as batteries and
flashlights
- Fully charge your cell phones so you can receive weather alerts
24/7
- Prepare your yard by removing all outdoor furniture, lawn
items, planters and other materials that could become airborne due
to high winds
- Fill your vehicle’s gasoline tank
Damage caused by hurricanes and tropical storms are covered
under different insurance policies, according to the Triple-I:
- Wind-caused property damage is covered under standard
homeowners, renters and business insurance policies. Renters’
insurance covers a renter’s possessions while the landlord insures
the structure.
- Property damage to a home, a renter’s possessions, and a
business – resulting from a flood – is generally covered under
either a FEMA National Flood Insurance Program policy or a private
flood policy, if the homeowner, renter or business has purchased
one. Dozens of private insurers offer flood insurance in addition
to FEMA.
- Private-passenger vehicles damaged or destroyed by either wind
or flooding are covered under the optional comprehensive portion of
an auto insurance policy. Approximately 80% of U.S. drivers choose
to purchase comprehensive coverage.
TRIPLE-I HURRICANE SEASON
RESOURCES
Videos
Hurricane Insurance Guide Insurance Check-Up for Hurricane
Season Create a Home Inventory
Facts & Statistics
Hurricanes Flood Insurance
Issues Brief
Flood: State of the Risk
Articles
Spotlight on: Catastrophes - Insurance Issues Background on:
Hurricanes and Windstorm Deductibles Understanding Your Insurance
Deductible Five Steps to Preparing an Effective Evacuation Plan
Settling Insurance Claims After a Disaster
Infographics
How to Prepare for Hurricane Season What Are Hurricane
Deductibles? How to File a Flood Insurance Claim
About Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I)
With more than 50 insurance company members — including
regional, super-regional, national and global carriers — the
Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) is the #1 online source
for insurance information in the U.S. The organization’s website,
blog and social media channels offer a wealth of data-driven
research studies, white papers, videos, articles, infographics and
other resources solely dedicated to explaining insurance and
enhancing knowledge.
Unlike other sources, Triple-I’s sole focus is creating and
disseminating information to empower consumers. It neither lobbies
nor sells insurance. Triple-I offers objective, fact-based
information about insurance – information that is rooted in
economic and actuarial soundness. Triple-I is affiliated with The
Institutes.
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Florida Press Office: Mark Friedlander, 904-806-7813,
MarkF@iii.org