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Lessons from Hurricane Katrina can help South Florida Residents be Prepared

Hurricane Katrina hit the South Florida coast five years ago, before cruising through the Gulf and becoming a Category 5 monster that slammed into New Orleans.

Despite its small stature when it hit Florida, Hurricane Katrina left significant damage in her wake. Her story is a timely reminder to South Florida homeowners to take all tropical storms and hurricanes seriously, to remain prepared through the height of storm season, and to seek the advice of an experienced Miami storm damage attorney for help in filing significant claims for hurricane damage.

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While the storm will be forever remembered as the most devastating natural disaster to ever strike the Gulf Coast, it hit first just north of the Broward-Miami-Dade County line about 7 p.m. At the time, it was a poorly organized Category 1 storm with winds of about 80 miles per hour. Still, it was the first time the center of a hurricane moved across Broward County since Hurricane Cleo in 1964, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

And it killed 14 people in Florida and caused extensive property damage. A highway flyover collapsed on I-595 in Miami-Dade and more than 1 million homes and businesses were left without power.

It cruised off the southern tip of the state near Naples and into the Gulf of Mexico the next day, where it quickly strengthened: 100 mph winds on Aug. 26; 115 mph winds on Aug. 27; and 175 mph winds on Aug. 28. It toppled the levees in New Orleans and ran aground near the Louisiana-Mississippi border at about 9 a.m. on Aug. 29.

In all, the storm killed 1,833 people, the third deadliest hurricane in U.S. history. The deadliest storms remain the 1900 hurricane in Galveston and the 1928 hurricane that struck Lake Okeechobee in South Florida.

Our Florida Insurance Claim Lawyer Blog offers safety tips and other advice to prepare you and your family for a hurricane.
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If you are facing a dispute over an insurance claim in Florida, contact Alvarez & Barbara, LLP toll free at 866-518-2913 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.

Bonnie Earns Respect with her Name; Dangers of Severe Weather Present Regardless of Storm’s Rating

Tropical Storm Bonnie earned respect when she earned her name on Thursday night. Tropical depressions, or areas of intense thunderstorms that gather in the tropics, become named tropical storms when they reach sustained wind speeds of 39 mph.

Understanding how storms are characterized can assist homeowners in knowing what to expect. However, our Miami hurricane damage lawyers caution homeowners against becoming complacent in cases where a tropical storm fails to become a hurricane, or when a hurricane fails to climb the charts.
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The act of rating a storm can actually be dangerous when it leads to such complacency. The storm-classification system is designed to assist South Florida residents in understanding what to expect — as long as they understand that, in all cases, a storm carries the risk of serious property damage and the potential for serious or fatal injury when residents fail to take the proper safety precautions.

Tropical storms, such as Bonnie, have wind speeds of 39 to 73 miles an hour and are associated with torrential rains, localized flooding, downed trees and power lines and the possibility of structural damage, particularly to older buildings or mobile homes.

A tropical storm reaches hurricane strength when winds climb above 74 miles an hour and are categorized on a scale of 1 to 5 until the winds reach roughly twice that speed. Anything with sustained winds of more than 155 mph is considered a Category 5 hurricane. Katrina was a Category 5 storm when it hit New Orleans and Andrew was a Category 5 storm when it devastated South Florida in 1992.

Florida Today provides a nice graphic illustration.

Category 1: Minimal Hurricane
Winds: 74 to 95 miles per hour
Storm surge: Up to 5 feet
Damage: Some trees and power lines may be down; damage caused by flying debris; localized flooding; those in mobile and modular homes are at greatest risk.

Category 2: Moderate Hurricane
Winds: 96 to 110 miles per hour.
Storm Surge: 6 to 8 feet.
Damage: Downed trees and power lines; some flooding; debris damages; structural damage possible, particularly in older homes. Mobile and modular homes at great risk.

Category 3: Extensive Hurricane
Winds: 111 to 130 mph
Storm Surge: 9 to 12 feet
Damage: Widespread flooding possible. Significant structural damage to homes and buildings possible. Downed trees and power lines. Probable destruction of mobile and modular homes.

Category 4: Extreme Hurricane
Winds: 131 to 155 mph
Storm Surge: 12 to 18 feet
Damage: Widespread destruction of homes and buildings, structural damages and roof loss are common, significant flooding and storm surge risk, higher likelihood of significant time without power.

Category 5: Catastrophic Hurricane

Winds: Greater than 155 miles per hour
Storm Surge: 18 feet
Damage: Widespread destruction

The important thing to keep in mind when considering a storm’s rating is that all of these storms can cause significant property damage and can lead to the risk of serious or fatal injuries. This weekend’s tropical storm, with winds of 40 miles per hour, is roughly twice as powerful as our typical violent summer weather. A minimal category 1 hurricane is four times as powerful as a typical summer storm.

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If you are facing a dispute over an insurance claim in South Florida, contact Alvarez & Barbara, LLP toll free at 866-518-2913 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.

Hurricane Season is Upon Us – Are You Prepared?

hurricane2_thumb.jpgAnother hurricane season is upon us here in South Florida. The pelting rain. The howling wind. The mad rush of weathermen on both local and national TV. The long lines in the gas stations and food stores.

It is difficult to forget the damage Hurricane Andrew caused to South Florida in 1992, and Hurricane Wilma in 2005. It is just as hard to forget the haunting images of what the residents of New Orleans, and coastal Mississippi went through after Hurricane Katrina made land fall in 2005. These hurricanes, and other smaller storms over the years, caused extensive damage to many properties in Florida, and the Gulf states.

The good news, however, is that with modern technology – and yes, those weatherman that appear constantly on TV – we should have at least 3 to 4 days advance notice of an arriving hurricane. It will be important to use that time wisely.

The most cumbersome part of a hurricane is often the aftermath. For instance, after Hurricane Wilma struck South Florida in 2005 there were many parts of South Florida that was left without electricity for days, and many gas stations that could not dispense fuel for weeks.

Therefore, it becomes important to have a plan in place to deal with hurricanes. And your hurricane preparedness plan should include preparations to address the coming hurricane before it arrives, as it is hitting, and after it makes land fall.

For instance, it will be important for you to take photographs of your property, including vegetation, your roof, personal belongings, etc., prior to the arrival of a hurricane. This will allow you to make the strongest case possible with your insurance company should your property be damaged as a result of the hurricane.

More importantly, you should have ample supplies to last you through the hurricane and beyond. The National Hurricane Center recommends including these items in your hurricane survival kit:

– Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
– Food – at least enough for 3 to 7 days
– non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
– foods for infants or the elderly
– snack foods
– non-electric can opener
– cooking tools / fuel
– paper plates / plastic utensils
– Blankets / Pillows, etc.
– Clothing – seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
– First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
– Special Items – for babies and the elderly
– Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
– Flashlight / Batteries
– Radio – Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
– Telephones – Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
– Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards – Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
– Keys
– Toys, Books and Games
– Important documents – in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
– Tools – keep a set with you during the storm
– Vehicle fuel tanks filled
– Pet care items
– proper identification / immunization records / medications
– ample supply of food and water
– a carrier or cage
– muzzle and leash

To learn more, please contact our office today.

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