Florida Insurance Claim Lawyer Blog

Hurricane season is typically on the decline in October. Fortunately, it has been a quiet hurricane season for us in Florida. To date, a hurricane has failed to make landfall in South Florida this year.

History has shown us, however, that there can still be potent hurricanes this time of year. So now is not the time to let your guard down. But history also shows us that October hurricane strikes are rare occurrences. Indeed, on average there is 1 hurricane strike in October every 5 years.

While it is exceedingly rare for a hurricane to strike in October, such strikes can be rather potent. For instance, Hurricane Wilma in 2005 was one of the strongest hurricanes on record. In fact, at its peak, Wilma reached full fury over the western Caribbean with sustained winds of 185 miles per hour. Wilma's central pressure of 26.05 inches is the lowest ever recorded for an Atlantic hurricane.

Wilma weakened over time and ultimately made landfall in South Florida as a Category 3 hurricane. But Wilma still caused major damage and disruption throughout South Florida. In fact, Wilma became the 3rd costliest hurricane in U.S. history causing over $20 billion dollars in damages in South Florida, primarily from wind damage to structures in the highly populated areas of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale.

Then there was also Hurricane Hazel back in 1954. Hazel was one of the strongest hurricanes on record for October, and also the farthest northern Category 4 hurricane to hit in any month. It struck the South Carolina/North Carolina border with devastating impact and to this day remains a benchmark for how bad a hurricane be on those coasts.

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The National Weather Service estimates that weather disasters have cost more than $35 billion this year, based on insurance estimates.

This year has seen some very harsh weather. The year has seen intense floods, drought and tornadoes. In May, a twister killed 160 people in Joplin, Mo. and in April a devastating tornado ripped through Alabama. Texas has been hard hit by a heat wave that will cost the state in excess of five billion dollars in crop and livestock loss.

Nationwide, the number of natural disasters has tripled in the last two decades, according to insurance firm Munich Reinsurance America. Thunderstorm losses since 1980 have become five times more severe, on average. There were $20 billion in such losses by midyear in 2011, doubling the average of the past three years.

In sum, 2011 will go down in history as one of the costliest years in recent years as a result of natural disasters.

Closer to home, we are still in the middle of hurricane season. While South Florida has not been struck by a hurricane in five years, history suggests that it is only a matter of time before another hurricane does strike us. If a hurricane does strike South Florida, it is likely to cause extensive damage to the region.

As such, it is imperative to be prepared. This blog has many useful links to learn more about what you can do to prepare in advance of a hurricane's arrival, and how to deal with a hurricane's aftermath.