Hurricane Ian was a powerful storm that wreaked havoc across Florida in September 2022. The National Hurricane Center’s report on the hurricane showed that it was a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. The storm caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, resulting in billions of dollars in losses.
The sad fact is that insurance companies are still making life hard for people whose lives were turned upside down by this horrible hurricane. If you’re one of them, an attorney with Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh is standing by. Learn more about what we can do by contacting us online or calling (561) 295-5825 for a free consultation.
An Overview of Ian
Hurricane Ian was one of the most powerful storms ever to hit Florida. The hurricane formed in the Atlantic Ocean and quickly intensified as it moved toward the Caribbean. On September 28, Hurricane Ian made landfall on Cayo Costa. It made another landfall 90 minutes later in Punta Gorda. According to the National Hurricane Center’s report, Hurricane Ian was a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph.
Areas Hit the Hardest
Ian wreaked havoc throughout the Caribbean, Cuba, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. But the worst impacts by far occurred in Southwest Florida.
Not only were the winds incredibly fierce, but the storm surge from Ian was also catastrophic. The surge submerged the barrier islands located near Fort Myers. It also dramatically impacted several nearby bays and rivers, including Naples Bay, the Imperial River, Estero Bay, the Caloosahatchee River, and more.
At its peak, the surge created a wall of water that rose as much as 15 feet above ground level.
Casualty and Damage Statistics
According to the report, Ian contributed to the deaths of at least 156 people and directly caused 66 fatalities. All of the “direct deaths” occurred in Florida. The biggest culprit was the storm surge. It was blamed for 41 deaths – 36 in Lee County. Another 12 direct deaths occurred due to freshwater flooding in other areas of the state.
The storm caused nearly $113 billion in damage, with $109.5 billion in Florida. This makes Ian the costliest hurricane ever to hit Florida and the third-costliest in U.S. history. About 900 Fort Myers Beach structures were destroyed, and more than 2,200 others were severely damaged. Ian destroyed more than 5,300 structures in Lee County, and more than 52,000 suffered some sort of impact.
Insurance Company Denials
To make matters even worse, thousands of people throughout our region found it challenging – to say the least – to deal with their insurance companies. Insurers denied perfectly legitimate claims in far too many instances.
Denials were often a direct result of bad faith on the part of the insurance company. According to Florida law, insurers must always settle claims in good faith, acting fairly and honestly. When they fail to do this, policyholders may be able to file lawsuits.
We’ve seen far too many examples of insurance companies’ bad faith. This behavior is never excusable. But it’s even worse when a homeowner is trying to get their lives back to normal after a natural disaster the magnitude of Ian. But insurers will often unreasonably deny a claim or delay a decision for an unacceptable length of time. They will sometimes deny claims based on a flawed investigation.
Getting an Attorney’s Help
A Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh attorney is ready to help if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation. Not only can a skilled lawyer help you file a lawsuit against an insurer acting in bad faith, but they can also help you in other ways.
Experienced attorneys know the different tricks insurance companies will sometimes try to use, such as the following:
- Denying a claim entirely.
- Approving part of a claim while denying others.
- Delaying payments.
- Offering a lowball settlement offer.
- Writing a check that doesn’t come close to what a homeowner deserves.
An attorney with our firm can defeat all of these tactics. When you contact us, we’ll do whatever we can to ensure you obtain total compensation.
Hurricane Ian’s Strong Winds Caused Major Damage Across Florida
One of the most significant impacts of Hurricane Ian was the damage caused by the strong winds. These winds caused significant damage to homes and businesses, with many suffering roof damage and broken windows. The report also showed that the winds caused substantial damage to infrastructure, including power lines and communication towers. The damage to infrastructure caused widespread power outages and communication failures.
10-20 Inches of Rainfall Across Florida Caused Deadly Flooding
Another significant impact of Hurricane Ian was the heavy rainfall that the storm brought. The National Hurricane Center’s report showed that the storm caused between 10 and 20 inches of rainfall across Florida. The heavy rainfall caused significant flooding in low-lying areas, and many homes and businesses were submerged. Grove City saw nearly 27 inches, the highest rainfall total associated with the storm.
The flooding caused substantial damage to homes and businesses, with many suffering from water damage and mold growth. It also caused significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public buildings. Bridges and roads in Pine Island and Sanibel washed away completely. A portion of I-75 in Sarasota County had to be closed due to flooding from the Myakka River.
Tornadoes Were Responsible for Deaths and Severe Damage
According to the report, 15 tornadoes formed during Hurricane Ian, with 14 developing in Florida. These tornadoes caused significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. One tornado in Palm Beach County collapsed the roof of a house, injuring two occupants. Another hit Pembroke Pines. It damaged several buildings and planes at the North Perry Airport.
Was Your Property Damage Claim Denied? Contact KMW to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
If your property suffered damage during Hurricane Ian and the insurance company denied your claim, seeking legal advice will be essential. KMW is a law firm specializing in insurance disputes, and we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact KMW online or call (561) 295-5825 to schedule a free case evaluation and get more information regarding your legal options.