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Hurricane Milton Resources Available

By Amy Connolly

Information is available that will help Realtors protect their businesses and customers including infographics that address immediate needs.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Realtors® created shareable social-media infographics with useful storm- and recovery-related information to help Realtors protect themselves and their businesses as Hurricane Milton barrels towards the state.

  • Tech Helpline infographic: Provides details about the Tech Help Line to keep you connected. Click here to download.
  • Legal Hotline infographic: Provides information about Florida Realtors Legal Hotline for legal assistance when you need it most. Click here to download.
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance special "carousel" infographic: Provides information about the state Disaster Unemployment assistance program that helps when you lose your source of income. Click here to download.

In addition, to help associations, brokerages and agents prepare for this storm and others, Florida Realtors created a printable Hurricane Preparation and Recovery Plan. The plan, also available on the Florida Realtors website, includes helpful tips and information to protect your business.

There is also the Florida Realtors Hurricane Center webpage, which includes links to the Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund and important news about the hurricane season.

Forecasters expect Milton to make landfall on the west coast, possibly in the Tampa area, late Wednesday as a Category 3 storm with winds of 111-129 mph. The storm is forecast to cross central Florida and to dump as much as 18 inches of rain while heading toward the Atlantic Ocean. If it hits Tampa Bay, it will be the area’s most powerful hurricane in 100 years.

The National Hurricane Center said Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.

“Milton's wind field is expected to expand as it approaches Florida. In fact, the official forecast shows the hurricane and tropical-storm-force winds roughly doubling in size by the time it makes landfall,” NHC forecasters said. “Therefore, damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall will extend well outside the forecast cone.”

Hurricane Helene damage

As of Oct. 7, the total estimated insured losses for Florida from the storm are $974,416,594, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

Of the 96,675 claims so far, 47,823 are for residential property damage. The previous day, there were 91,393 claims. The number of claims and estimated losses are expected to increase in the coming weeks. For now:

  • Claims under private flood insurance policies: 2,979 (most flood policies are through FEMA’s Flood Insurance Program, not private)
  • Claims closed with payments to policyholders: 9,692
  • Claims closed without payments to policyholders: 7,148
  • Commercial property claims: 1,965
  • Percent of claims closed: 17.4%

As a reminder, Florida Realtors opened applications for its Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) for Hurricane Helene. Business and individual damage applications will be accepted until March 26, 2025, and should include:

  • Color photos showing damage (digital preferred) and insurance summary page showing deductible and coverage information.
  • A written assessment from your insurance company and estimate to replace or repair damaged areas; include qualifying repair receipts to date and any additional information which may assist with describing your disaster and subsequent damage.
  • Qualifying repair receipts to date and any additional information which may assist with describing your disaster and subsequent damage.

Other disaster relief available

The DRF is also continuing to accept applications for other severe weather events:

  • Hurricane Debby on August 5, 2024; applications close February 5, 2025.
  • Flash flooding in South Florida on June 11, 2024; applications close December 12, 2024.
  • Tornado events in North Florida on May 10, 2024; applications close November 11, 2024.

Those interested in helping disaster victims can donate to the DRF securely online. If you prefer to mail in a tax-deductible donation, make your check payable to "Florida Realtors Disaster Fund, attention Dave Garrison," and send the check to:

Florida Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund
7025 Augusta National Drive
Orlando, FL 32822-5017

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

© 2024 Florida Realtors®

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