Florida Warned Of A Direct Hit From Hurricane Matthew

After devastating Haiti and pounding the Bahamas, hurricane Matthew is now headed to Florida. By Thursday afternoon, Florida was already experiencing winds at a speed of 75mp/h, but the wind is expected to continue gathering speed as the tornado fast approaches this coastal state. The winds started on Thursday morning at a speed of 25 – 30 mp/h.

As the category 3 wind sweeps through Bahamas at a speed of 125mp/h, the storm is strengthening and is expected to dump about 15 inches of rain in the Bahamas. The storm will then move towards the US east coast and arrive in Florida toward Georgia and South Carolina. By the time it gets there, it will be moving at a speed of approximately 130mp/h, which is high enough to cause catastrophic damage to the community. Already, warnings have been issued and some 2 million people in these states are expected to evacuate before the storm hits the US.

It is estimated that by the time the storm gets to Florida, it will have morphed up into a category 4 hurricane, making it quite a dangerous storm. Hundreds of National Guard Troops have been already put on standby to backup local authorities in their effort to evacuate people and deal with the damages that this storm is expected to leave behind. The Florida Department for National Emergency expects that they will be ready for the storm by the time it gets to the state. They will be in a position to restore power, remove debris and assess the damage caused.

Inspectors at Lake Okeechobee are already draining water canals into the sea, so as to try and reduce the amount of flooding that is expected once the storm hits the state. The water level in the lake is already higher than what is usually maintained, so there are high chances of it over flooding once the storm hits. The mound of rocks, sand and shell that is 30 foot high and surrounds the lake is at risk of collapsing as a result of the heavy rainfall that hurricane Matthew will bring along.

A lot of shelters have already been set up in Florida and they are already taking in residents and their pets. Schools and businesses throughout the southern part of Florida have already been closed.

  • Frequently Asked Questions about Water Damage and Flooding Disasters

    Does Hurricane Insurance Cover Flooding

    Hurricane coverage will often cover water damage that is a direct result of the peril of the water damage that enters the home, driven by wind, or other entry points. Many insurance companies, provide exclusions for secondary flooding (rivers, water swells that result from heavy rains with hurricanes.

    How Quickly Will Black Mold from Water Damage in Florida?

    The rate of black mold growth will vary depending on the exposed surface and moisture exposure. Generally properties in Florida experience faster mold growth due to the high levels of humidity.

    Does My Insurance Company Cover Water Damage From Sprinkler Outdoor Systems

    Broken sprinkler lines are a leading cause of water damage disasters. These types of water losses are generally covered by insurance coverage, but your exact policy language will dictate your coverage eligility.

    What is meant by urgency to start mitigation to prevent secondary damage?

    Most property insurance companies have specific language in their policy that require property owners to work quickly to mitigate their water damage in an effort to prevent additional secondary damage (water damage, mold growth, structural issues.