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Arlene? Bret? Cindy? Dora? The 2011 Hurricane Season Has Seen 4 Named Storms Already While Our Firm Stands Ready to Help Miami Homeowners if a Named Storm Strikes South Florida

Thumbnail image for hurricanes bret cindy dora.JPGSo far this year there have been four named storms to date. Any of these storms are strong enough to do significant damage. However, none of them caused any significant impact to South Florida.

Now that South Florida is in the very height of hurricane season it serves as a reminder that tropical depressions are storms with winds of up to 38 mph and are identified only by numbers; tropical storms are given names and have winds form 39 to 73 mph and hurricanes have winds above 74 mph. And so far this year we have had 4 named storms.

From now through November, the chances are good that South Florida will be threatened by named tropical storms or hurricanes. Even a tropical depression can cause wind and water damage while serving as a health reminder that the time to prepare is now, before a serious storm is eminent.

For those who always seem too busy to prepare, our Miami storm damage attorneys recommend readying you and your family in several stages.

Always
-Know and understand your insurance policy, including your exposure to deductibles.
-Keep your important paperwork in water-proof storage containers
-Keep several plastic totes with the following items inside (and clearly marked in a checklist on the outside): manual can opener, disposable plates, silverware and cups, first aid kit, flashlights, battery-operated radio.

Start of hurricane season
-Purchase fresh batteries for radios and flashlights
-Ensure fresh gas is available for the generator and gas grill and that both are in good repair.
-Purchase fresh bottled water (at least 7 gallons per person — a gallon a day for a week). Buying 20 oz bottles will allow the water to be used at the beach or around the pool after hurricane season.

Hurricane Watch
If you have followed the instructions above, this will be your serious hurricane preparation and it should be pretty simple:
-Fill cars with gas.
-Go grocery shopping
-Gather specialty items, including pet care and child care items.
-Charge cell phones
-Gather rain gear, toys, books and games
-Ensure you have cash on hand to last several weeks.

Hurricane Warning
This means a hurricane is going to strike the area.
-Install storm shutters
-Remove patio furniture and other loose items, including planters, from the exterior of your home
-Ensure you have emergency contact information, including the location of the nearest shelter
-Listen to official instructions or advisories.
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EXTENDED BODY:
Consider Your Options. Contact Us Today.

Before opening our law firm in 2006, our attorneys worked for some of the state’s, and nation’s, largest law firms, and worked representing the insurance companies for years. Our attorneys are now uniquely positioned to use that experience to assist individuals and businesses alike throughout Florida with their insurance claims. As a result, our attorneys are well versed in the impact insurance has on businesses, condominiums, and individuals alike. Our insurance litigation practice group is prepared to tackle your insurance claim.

Given our extensive experience litigating for, and against, insurance companies, our insurance litigation practice group is prepared to provide aggressive, efficient and effective representation on a broad spectrum of insurance claims in Florida for local, national, and international clients. We are prepared to advocate insurance claims at the pre-suit stage, trial, appellate and arbitration levels.

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

Call us today toll free at 1-866-518-2913 or at 305-263-7700.

Hurricane Strikes in July are Rare

miami_storm07-25-2006.jpgHurricane season has been quiet so far. If you were raised in South Florida or have lived here for a few years, you know that hurricanes typically become a major concern in the months of August, September and October. However, that doesn’t mean that we won’t see a storm in July.

Since 1900 Florida has been struck by three hurricanes in the month of July. The last one happened in 2005 when a category 3 storm struck near Pensacola. On the other hand, numerous tropical storms have struck Florida in July. The last one hit us in 2010.

The reason we don’t see many hurricanes striking Florida during this time of year is because of prevailing steering currents that send the storms south or west of Florida. Whenever we do see tropical systems in July they are usually in the Gulf of Mexico because the waters heat up quickly by early summer.

Not only are July storms less common, they are weaker. Since most June and July storms form in the eastern Atlantic they are weaker because they don’t have the time to travel across more water. However, during the peak months, the storms tend to be stronger because they develop in the western basin of the Atlantic. This basically gives the storm the whole Atlantic to travel and gain strength.

Although July is a slow month for tropical systems we still need to be prepared. As recently as 2005, three hurricanes developed in the month of July. On this blog, we’ve taken the time to prepare various posts to make sure our readers properly prepare for a hurricane. Don’t just think of the canned food and water. Remember that part of hurricane preparation entails making sure you have all the necessary supplies to survive a hurricane as it strikes, and after, as well to ensure that you have all the necessary information to file an insurance claim in the event your home or business is damaged.
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EXTENDED BODY:
Consider Your Options. Contact Us Today.

Before opening our law firm in 2006, our attorneys worked for some of the state’s, and nation’s, largest law firms, and worked representing the insurance companies for years. Our attorneys are now uniquely positioned to use that experience to assist individuals and businesses alike throughout Florida with their insurance claims. As a result, our attorneys are well versed in the impact insurance has on businesses, condominiums, and individuals alike. Our insurance litigation practice group is prepared to tackle your insurance claim.

Given our extensive experience litigating for, and against, insurance companies, our insurance litigation practice group is prepared to provide aggressive, efficient and effective representation on a broad spectrum of insurance claims in Florida for local, national, and international clients. We are prepared to advocate insurance claims at the pre-suit stage, trial, appellate and arbitration levels.

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

Call us today toll free at 1-866-518-2913 or at 305-263-7700.

About the AuthorGabriel de las Salas is an attorney with the law firm of Alvarez & Barbara, LLP. His practice is focused on general civil and commercial litigation, including personal injury, insurance claims and real estate disputes. Mr. de las Salas received his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Florida, and his J.D., from Stetson University College of Law.
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Hurricanes are the Planet’s Worst Storms and they Cause a Lot of Damage

per_andrew2053109_70058c.jpgThe last time a major hurricane struck the United States was during the record storm year of 2005. The United States has never gone six years with out a major strike.

In 2005 we saw 15 hurricanes and seven major storms of category 3 or higher, including Hurricane Katrina which struck New Orleans, killing at least 1,836 people. Moreover, hurricane Katrina and Rita caused $91 billion in damages, destroyed 115 energy platforms in the golf and shut down 95% of gulf oil production and almost 30% of US refining capacity.

As this hurricane season gets underway, forecasters are predicting an above normal hurricane season. The last hurricane that hit the United States was hurricane Ike, a category 2 storm back in 2008. There has not been a three-year period without a US hurricane strike since the 1860s.

Hurricanes are the Planet’s worst storms.

Hurricanes are the most powerful and destructive storms on the planet. Between 1990 and 2009 hurricanes inflicted $152.4 billion in insured losses in the United States, and accounted for 45.2% of the country’s catastrophic losses during that same time period.

This year, the insurance industry may be under greater strain because of large losses infected by record-setting tornadoes that have killed more than 500 people and destroyed at least $3 billion to $ 6.5 billion of insured property.
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EXTENDED BODY:
Consider Your Options. Contact Us Today.

Before opening our law firm in 2006, our attorneys worked for some of the state’s, and nation’s, largest law firms, and worked representing the insurance companies for years. Our attorneys are now uniquely positioned to use that experience to assist individuals and businesses alike throughout Florida with their insurance claims. As a result, our attorneys are well versed in the impact insurance has on businesses, condominiums, and individuals alike. Our insurance litigation practice group is prepared to tackle your insurance claim.

Given our extensive experience litigating for, and against, insurance companies, our insurance litigation practice group is prepared to provide aggressive, efficient and effective representation on a broad spectrum of insurance claims in Florida for local, national, and international clients. We are prepared to advocate insurance claims at the pre-suit stage, trial, appellate and arbitration levels.

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

Call us today toll free at 1-866-518-2913 or at 305-263-7700.

Atmospheric Pressures are Likely to Pull in More Hurricanes this Season

andrewSequence_hg.jpgLast year was the third busiest hurricane season on record. However, and while that was the third busiest hurricane season on record, the United States was spared a direct strike by any storm last year.

Part of the reason why the United States was spared a direct strike last year was because the United States was protected from major storm damage by a trough, or an elongated area of low pressure, that helped keep all the hurricanes and all but one tropical storm from striking the United States.

However, and as this hurricane season gets underway, that same trough is setting up across the Mississippi Valley. And if it stays there, many are predicting that the trough is going to act like a magnet and pull many storms into the southeastern United States or mid-Atlantic region.

Other factors are also working in favor of an active hurricane season. For instance, the position of this year’s Bermuda-High, a semipermanent area of high pressure over the North Atlantic, may also drive storms closer to the United States.

As such, we will be faced with a much higher threat of a land-falling hurricane this upcoming hurricane season.

Indeed, history suggests that South Florida is due for a hurricane strike. Therefore, this is certainly not the season to take lightly. We’ve been spared the last few years, but this could be the year where we are hit by another hurricane. Hurricanes are a fact of life living in South Florida. Although inevitable, they are not surprises like earthquakes or tsunamis. You can prepare and be ready for a hurricane.

Considering the increased odds of South Florida getting hit by a storm you should take the necessary steps to safeguard your property and family. One exercise that is a must is a review of your insurance policy to determine what is excluded from your policy. Most importantly, review what you’re supposed to do in the event your property is damaged in a windstorm. You should also check the financial strength of your insurance company, and stock up on food supplies.
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EXTENDED BODY:
Consider Your Options. Contact Us Today.

Before opening our law firm in 2006, our attorneys worked for some of the state’s, and nation’s, largest law firms, and worked representing the insurance companies for years. Our attorneys are now uniquely positioned to use that experience to assist individuals and businesses alike throughout Florida with their insurance claims. As a result, our attorneys are well versed in the impact insurance has on businesses, condominiums, and individuals alike. Our insurance litigation practice group is prepared to tackle your insurance claim.

Given our extensive experience litigating for, and against, insurance companies, our insurance litigation practice group is prepared to provide aggressive, efficient and effective representation on a broad spectrum of insurance claims in Florida for local, national, and international clients. We are prepared to advocate insurance claims at the pre-suit stage, trial, appellate and arbitration levels.

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

Call us today toll free at 1-866-518-2913 or at 305-263-7700.

Third Busiest Hurricane Season On Record Comes to a Quiet End and for the 5th Straight Year without a Strike to South Florida

storm.jpgThe 2010 hurricane season has officially come to an end with many breathing a sigh of relief. Fortunately, South Florida has gone through another hurricane season where we have not been hit by a storm.

By the numbers, however, this was a monstrous season. Nineteen (19) storms were named this past season, which ranks as the third busiest season on record. Fortunately, the mainland US was able to escape this busy season. The mainland was not hit by a major hurricane strike for the fifth straight year. As South Floridians, we’re used to braving powerful storms, but this year we were hardly affected by Tropical Storms Bonnie and Nicole.

According to a spokesperson from the National Hurricane Center, South Florida has never gone more than five years without a major hurricane strike. If South Florida does not get hit by a storm next year, it would set a record. However, we shouldn’t bet on setting this record.

This streak of not being hit by storms coincides with a surge in storms. Since 1995, the La Nina weather pattern and warm Atlantic Ocean temperatures have sparked a string of very active seasons. As a result, the season was still deadly, especially in the Caribbean. A hurricane caused widespread flooding and killed at least 20 there and 14 more in St. Lucia. Belize, Mexico, Cuba and Honduras were also struck by storms or hurricanes.

The only parts of the mainland which were affected by any sort of storm were Texas and North Carolina. Tropical Storm Hermine triggered flooding and was blamed for six deaths. Hurricane Earl only brushed the East Coast, but it caused massive flooding in North Carolina.

Our Miami insurance dispute lawyers handle insurance claims for homeowners. Our attorneys represented insurance companies before 2006, when we opened a firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of consumers. We understand how insurance companies work. And we have the knowledge and experience necessary to represent homeowners in disputes over an insurance claim.

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.

An Active Hurricane Season is Coming to a Close without any Hurricane Striking South Florida

katrina.jpgThe 2010 hurricane season is almost over. There are only three weeks remaining in the hurricane season this year.

But this hurricane season is already one for the record books, tying for the third most active season with 19 named storms. As this hurricane season comes to a close, it appears as though both Florida and the United States mainland will have again dodged potential catastrophe in that no significant storm made landfall this year.

Indeed, it has been a very fortuities few years for South Florida. History has shown us that past hurricane seasons as busy as this one typically results in at least two named storms and making landfall. For instance, researching records back to 1900 revealed that in five previous seasons with 10 or more hurricanes, at least two named storms made landfall somewhere in the United States. And so far this season, we have seen 19 named storms, none of which has made landfall in the United States.

Therefore, unless something really serious forms in the next three weeks, it would be the 5th year in a row that the United States has a escaped a major hurricane. And so far this year, only Hurricane Earl which brushed the East Coast but caused massive flooding in portions of North Carolina, and Tropical Storm Hermine, which came ashore as a depression and triggered flooding in Texas blamed for at least six deaths, have done any significant damage. South Florida had close calls with Tropical Storm Bonnie and Nicole, but escaped both storms with just rain.

Our Miami insurance dispute lawyers handle insurance claims for homeowners. Our attorneys represented insurance companies before 2006, when we opened a firm dedicated to fighting for the rights of consumers. We understand how insurance companies work. And we have the knowledge and experience necessary to represent homeowners in disputes over an insurance claim.

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.

Four Named Storms in the Last Week; Risk Managers say Florida’s costliest October Hurricanes formed in Similarly Busy Years

News Channel 7 in Panama City is marking the 15-year anniversary of Hurricane Opal this week — the storm blasted that area in October of 1995, causing nearly $3 billion worth of damage.

Our Miami storm damage attorneys continue to report that the area remains at high risk for tropical storms and hurricanes through October and November. We reported recently on our Florida Insurance Claim Lawyer Blog that nearly half of the state’s hurricanes occur after Sept. 21, the official mid-point of South Florida hurricane season.
569818_tormenta_tropical.jpg
Risk Management Solutions, a risk modeler used by the insurance industry, notes that the most recent October hurricane was Hurricane Wilma, which struck Florida in October 2005 and caused 11.3 billion in damages, making it the fourth-costliest storm in U.S. history.

RMS notes that both Opal and Wilma occurred during the only two other hurricane seasons that had as much storm activity as we have seen thus far this year.

Most recently, ABC25 in Palm Beach Gardens reports that Tropical Storm Otto has formed in the Atlantic. A week ago, we were dealing with the threat of Tropic Storm Lisa. The alphabetical list of this year’s storms means 4 named storms have formed in the Atlantic in the last week. The storm could become a hurricane by the weekend. While it is expected to stay well away from South Florida, heavy rainfall and high winds are possible in the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The hurricane season officially ends on November 30.
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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.

South Florida under Tropical Storm Warning as Lisa forms near Cuba

The sixteenth Tropical Depression (TD16) of the Atlantic hurricane season formed Tuesday morning south of Cuba and will likely hit South Florida over the next 48 hours.

Our Miami storm damage attorneys continue to report that South Florida has entered the height of hurricane season. Just last week on our Florida Insurance Claim Lawyer Blog, we reported Lisa was named the area’s 12th storm.
145212W5_NL_sm.gif
The latest storm will be named Nicole if it strengthens as forecast. Tropical storm warnings have been posted for much of South Florida, the Florida Keys, Cayman Islands, Cuba and much of the Bahamas.

The Miami Herald reports significant wind, rain and flooding are expected over the next few days. The storm is currently 390 miles south-southwest of Miami and is moving north-northeast at 10 mph.

The storm is expected to pass through South Florida on Wednesday, before making its way up the East Coast, where it could be a threat as far north as Washington, D.C. Presently, the storm has sustained winds of 35 mph, well below the 74 mph needed for hurricane strength but just shy of the 39 mph need for tropical storm intensity.

Tropical Depression 16 is surrounded by very warm waters and should strengthen into a Tropical Storm before reaching South Florida. Its encounter with Cuba will likely prevent it from reaching hurricane strength before passing over Florida. However, the National Weather Service is predicting at least 3 to 5 inches of rain over South Florida.

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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.

Brace Yourself for the Height of South Florida Hurricane Season

The warm bathing waters of the Gulf of Mexico and a La Nina pattern will increase the risk of a serious storm hitting South Florida as we head into the height of hurricane season, the Miami Herald reported.

If you have not already done so, our Miami storm damage attorneys encourage you to make some basic preparations. Even the busiest among us can tackle hurricane preparation in stages, as we suggest on our Florida Insurance Claim Lawyer Blog.
1217784_stormy_gtown.jpg
The remainder of this year’s hurricane season is likely to be “bad and busy” according to forecasters. The presence of a La Nina pattern and record high water temperatures make the environment about as hurricane friendly as possible. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a 70 percent change of 14 to 20 named storms through November; thus far this year we have had just three named storms and two other tropical depressions that failed to strengthen.

Eight of the 12 predicted storms could reach hurricane threshold with four to six growing into major hurricanes.

“We’re to the period when you start to see these waves rolling off of Africa,” NOAA forecaster Gerry Bell told the Herald. “Everything is in place for a really active year.”

While NOAA does not make landfall predictions, history indicates a 90 chance of a strike somewhere on the East Coast and an 80 percent chance for Gulf Coast landfall. South Florida has not been hit by a major hurricane since Wilma in 2005 — a record year that produced 28 named storms and 15 hurricanes.

Water temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean are as high as they have been since 2005. La Nina, which is marked by cool temperatures in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, reduces wind sheer and can make it easier for storms in the Atlantic to form.

Earlier this month, famed hurricane prognosticator Dr. William Gray of Colorado State University predicted 18 named storms, including 10 hurricanes.
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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.
381901_katrina_8.jpg
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.

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