Hurricane Igor is expected to make it a bad weekend at the beach, according to the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel.
As our Miami storm damage lawyers have been reporting, South Floridians are well served to be vigilant through the remainder of the busy Atlantic hurricane season. A listing of this year’s named storms on our Florida Insurance Lawyer Blog makes Igor the season’s 9th major storm. Experts expect 14 to 20 named storms by the time the 2010 hurricane season ends in November. Eight to 12 could reach hurricane strength, with 4 to 6 becoming major hurricanes.
While Igor is expected to remain well clear of Florida, large swells and dangerous rip currents are likely along the east coast. Storm conditions are expected to begin Friday and last through the middle of next week. Palm Beach County is expected to see the worst weather, although deteriorating conditions are likely in Broward and Miami-Dade counties as well.
It is not unusual for hurricanes to create havoc in South Florida from hundreds of miles away. High winds, flooding, heavy rain and tornadoes are all frequent consequences of passing storms.
Rip current can be especially dangerous to swimmers; caused by water crashing ashore and then racing back to sea through smaller channels, a rip current can quickly pull someone dangerously far from shore. Swimmers caught in a rip current should swim parallel to the shoreline until they have escaped the current’s pull.
Red flags on the beach mean only expert swimmers should attempt to enter the water (think Michael Phelps … maybe). Beachgoers are also encouraged to remain near lifeguard stands and to keep children close at all times.
Igor’s enormous circulation pattern should pull poor weather, rip currents and big waves ashore through the middle of next week. The storm is projected to be about 1,000 miles off the east coast on Saturday at its closest point to South Florida.
—–
EXTENDED BODY:
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.