Hurricane Ian is likely to be Florida’s first hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. At its current rate of development and speed, it will likely make landfall on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

Who Is at Risk of Suffering Home Damage from Hurricane Ian?

A storm surge watch has been called all along Florida’s west coast up to the Tampa and St. Petersburg area. A hurricane watch was issued across the same area from the Florida Keys up to north of Tampa Bay. As of Monday, the most likely path prediction for Hurricane Ian has it passing over western Cuba before making landfall near Tampa around Thursday morning.

How Powerful Will Hurricane Ian Be?

There’s a serious risk that Hurricane Ian will become a major storm by the time it makes landfall in Florida. Current estimates suggest the storm’s windspeed will be approximately 105 mph when it reaches Florida on Thursday morning.

On Monday morning, the National Hurricane Center issued many Hurricane Ian risk alerts for Cuba, including:

• Life-threatening storm surge
• Hurricane-force winds
• Flash flooding risks
• Possible mudslides

Western Cuba is likely being subjected to devastating wind damage as the center of Ian passes over the island nation.

The warning goes on to suggest the Fort Myers and Tampa Bay region of Florida will likely be hit hard by Hurricane Ian once it makes landfall on the mainland, with a high risk for storm surge and hurricane-force winds. That’s why a large portion of west-central Florida is under a hurricane watch starting Wednesday morning (September 28, 2022). Tropical storm conditions may begin as early as Tuesday night.

What Can Floridians Expect?

Residents and businesses in the Florida Keys and Southwest Florida should expect heavy rainfall starting Tuesday. People in central and northern Florida should expect the same types of conditions on Wednesday and Thursday.

Floridians living further inland will not be unaffected by Hurricane Ian. This hurricane has the potential to be a major hurricane, and it will likely dump heavy rains across the entirety of the state. Stream and river flooding in central Florida is highly likely. People living in urban environments should be cognizant of the high flash flood risk.

Start Preparing for Hurricane Ian Now

Residents of Florida in the path of Hurricane Ian should heed government warnings and evacuation orders. Monday is when you should begin preparing.

• Check your hurricane preparedness kit and ensure it’s ready to be quickly packed into your vehicle if you and your family plan on evacuating. If you plan on sheltering in place, your kit needs to contain enough food and water for several days.  
• Don’t forget about your pets – make sure they have everything they need, including their papers and medical records.
• In addition to things like food and water, make sure you have working flashlights, backup batteries, power banks for your devices, a first aid kit and any prescription drugs you need.
• Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher if you are sheltering in place. Fire risks are elevated during hurricanes when people are using candles and water damaged electrical systems and wiring can potentially spark fires.
• Keep in mind emergency personnel may not be able to reach you in the event of a fire or medical emergency. You will need to be able to fend for yourself until roads can once again be travelled.
• Install your storm shutters or secure plywood panels over your home or business’s windows.
• Trim back tree branches from your home, especially weak branches that may be at risk of breaking in high winds.
• Properly anchor any trailers or boats you have parked on your property.
• Inventory your personal property in case you need to file a property damage claim.

Should You Call a Property Damage Attorney for Help with Your Hurricane Ian Storm Damage Claim?

After Hurricane Ian, it’s likely that thousands of Florida home and business owners will be filing property damage claims simultaneously. Home and business insurance companies and their claims adjusters will become quickly overwhelmed with the high claims volume. It’s likely they will call in temporary claims adjusters or out-of-state adjusters for additional assistance.

Inexperienced and overwhelmed claims people and insurance company employees can make mistakes or treat legitimate claims unfairly. If you believe your claim is being wrongfully denied or undervalued, it may be in your best interest to speak with a property damage lawyer that has extensive experience in hurricane damage.

Get Help From Florida’s Hurricane Damage Lawyers

The team at Kanner & Pintaluga has recovered over $1 billion in settlements and employs more than 40 attorneys dedicated to first party claims. We fight hard to ensure homeowners who are facing hurricane damage claim denial or claim mistreatment receive the fair and honest recovery they’re entitled to as policyholders. Call us at 800.586.5555 for a free consultation.