As recovery efforts continue in the wake of Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Milton has now formed and is projected to bring heavy rainfall and potential flooding to parts of Florida in the coming days. We’ve already received calls from clients in Jacksonville, and we anticipate more to come. Many of my neighbors here on the coast of Clearwater, still dealing with Helene's aftermath, are planning to evacuate as early as Monday in preparation for Milton’s potential impact.
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It was a humbling experience meeting with Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis today at the 'Insurance Village' in Clearwater, established for Bay Area residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. As Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Patronis was on-site offering much-needed reassurance to homeowners who lost everything, providing guidance, and outlining steps for relief. During our conversation, we addressed key issues policyholders were facing. I shared some of the common concerns I’ve been hearing, highlighting how a licensed public adjuster can make a real difference in navigating the claims process.
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Our firm was happy to contribute to the June Florida Community Association Journal Hurricane Preparedness issue. Below is our article plus here’s a link to many more expert articles on disaster prep.
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Dick Tutwiler the Founder and Emeritus CEO of Tutwiler & Associates Public Adjusters was recently featured here on the Homeowners Be Aware podcast. During the interview, he provides some great insight into dealing with property insurance claims and some of the hurdles policyholders will face. If you have a favorite podcast platform, simply search "Homeowners Be Aware." The podcast can also be found on website: https://homeownersbeaware.com/  
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The Last House Standing  by Director - Producer George Siegal, is a documentary film that explores why we continue to place cost over safety, while the technology exists to build homes capable of withstanding hurricanes, fires, and tornadoes. The film explores the challenges of post storm recovery and features an interview with our founder, Dick Tutwiler. Watch the Film Here
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We pay good money to insure our property, while hoping never to have to file claim. When disaster strikes you expect your insurance company to have your back. In a perfect world, your insurance carrier will send out their field adjuster following your notification of a loss. The adjuster will thoroughly inspect and properly value your damage and a check will be forthcoming in a reasonable amount of time. In our 38-years of practicing public adjusting, with storms like Hurricane Ian, we unfortunately see too many cases where this is not the case.

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As Hurricane Laura continues strengthening into potential Category 4 storm, the NHC warns of an "unsurvivable storm surge," for parts of the Louisiana and Eastern Texas coast. 

Forecasters predict surges several feet high could reach nearly to Interstate 10 in Louisiana, endangering cities like Lake Charles, and others some 35 miles inland. Only a few hours remain to protect life and property.

• Texas residence seeking to evacuate should consider DriveTexas.org.
• Louisiana, residence should consider 511la.org

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Q. I serve on a COA Board and we recently had a fire. Our property manager is telling us the contractor will handle everything, while some of us want to talk to a public adjuster. What is your perspective?

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Will Hurricane Florence become the Hurricane Harvey flooding event of the east coast? While the weather experts debate that issue, there is no doubt one way or another that Hurricane Florence is about to unleash a lot of misery on the mid Atlantic coast. Back in September 1989, Hurricane Hugo hit Charleston South Carolina and downtown buildings had 16 plus feet of water. Myrtle Beach just north of Charleston is now a very large tourist resort community and will have major damage if Florence keeps on its current track.

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It’s been a while since I have seen Cat 5 hurricane damage.  In fact, the last time was back in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew came ashore in South Florida.  No shortage of Cats 1,2,3, and maybe a 4 in there somewhere in the past 26 years, but trust me, a Cat 5 hurricane catastrophe stands out and those memories will stay with you forever.
 

So, it all came back to me when I visited St. Maarten/St Martin, a Dutch/French island in the Leeward Islands, one of the first in the island chain to be hit by Hurricane Irma eight months ago. This was my first trip back after the storm, but some of my colleagues at Tutwiler & Associates Public Adjusters had already been on the ground shortly after the storm passed, meeting with old clients and signing up new property owners as soon as commercial flights resumed. Eight months later our efforts paid off as our clients’ property insurance claims are settled and the rebuilding planning and construction has started for them.

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