866.654.6653 STORM DAMAGE HELP.com - State of Florida
Storm Damage Help & Resource Center
This site was designed to help Insurance Policy holders when filing an
Insurance Policy Claim. Post storm insurance questions, tips and info.
StormDamageHelp.com, connects you to Florida Media links, Insurance
Lawyers, Disaster Resources, Catastrophe Relief Agencies, Public
Adjusters and Toxic Mold Help.
When Filing Insurance Claims:
When filing your claim, complete a precisely detailed estimate of what is required to
repair or rebuild your property. Assist in the preparation of inventories for damaged
personal property, contents, and related items. With your help in providing correct
documentation, and determining ages, descriptions and determine the approximate
current values. Have your losses or additional living expenses ready to submit in your
claim. Establish a professional line of communications with the insurance adjuster
and present estimates, inventories, and other valuations to the insurance adjuster.
A Public Adjuster can meet with your insurance company to adjust your claim fairly
and equitably, thus resulting in an acceptable settlement to you. You will need a very
well written report detailing all Hurricane and Storm related damages with photos.
Hurricane Terms:
• Tropical Depression - an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a
defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less.
• Tropical Storm - an organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined
circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34-63 knots).
• Hurricane - a warm-core tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74
mph (64 knots) or greater.
• Eye - center a hurricane with light winds and partly cloudy to clear skies. The
eye is usually around 20 miles in diameter, but can range between 5 and 60 miles.
• Eye Wall - location within a hurricane where the most damaging winds and
intense rainfall are found.
• Severe Thunderstorm - a thunderstorm with winds 58 mph or faster or hailstones
three-quarters of an inch or larger in diameter.
• Tornadoes - violent rotating columns of air that touch the ground; they are
spawned by large severe thunderstorms. They can have winds estimated from
100 to 300 mph.
• Tornado Watch - tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are possible.
• Tornado Warning - tornadoes are detected in your area. Take shelter!
Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale
1 74-95 mph ~ >980 mb* Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery,
and trees. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
2 96-110 mph ~965-979 mb* Some roofing material, door, and window damage to
buildings. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, and piers. Coastal and
low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of center. Small Craft in
unprotected anchorages break moorings.
3 111-130 mph ~ 945-964 mb* Some structural damage to small residences and
utility buildings with a minor amount of curtain wall failures. Mobile homes are
destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger
structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 feet ASL
may be flooded inland 8 miles or more.
4 ~ 131-155 mph 920-944 mb* More extensive curtainwall failures with some
complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas.
Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. All Terrain continuously
lower than 10 feet ASL may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential
areas inland as far as 6 miles.
5 155 + mph ~ <920 mb* Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial
buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or
away. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet ASL
and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on
low ground within 5 to 10 miles of the shoreline may be required.
Hurricane Warnings:
1. Tropical Storm Watch - issued when tropical storm conditions may threaten a
specific coastal area within 36 hours, and when the storm is not predicted to intensify
to hurricane strength.
2. Tropical Storm Warning - winds in the range of 39 to 73 mph can be expected to
affect specific areas of a coastline within the next 24 hours.
3. Hurricane Watch - a hurricane or hurricane conditions may threaten a specific
coastal area within 36 hours.
4. Hurricane Warning - a warning that sustained winds of 74 mph or higher associated
with a hurricane are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less.
After The Storm Warning!
More deaths occur after a hurricane than during. Most deaths come
from people being too anxious to get outside and survey the damage.
Downed power lines, unstable trees, fallen debris etc. all pose serious
threats after a storm has passed. Please remain indoors until the “All
Clear Signal” has been given. Stay away from all downed wires and
trees in contact with power wires. Contact the police or your power
company to report any downed lines. DO NOT use charcoal grills,
propane or generators indoors. A little common sense can help a
lot after a storm has passed.
Mold Testing & Consulting Services
Infrared Camera Inspections: 305.571.2280
Certified Mold Inspections & Testing
Thermal Imaging Inspections: 305.571.2292
