ORLANDO, Fla. – More than one million people are under evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Milton, as millions more prepare their homes and businesses for the massive storm.
Milton is expected 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.
Though the storm has slightly weakened in the past 24 hours from a Category 5, officials have warned of widespread damage and flooding. Forecasters say the sea could surge as high as 15 feet at Tampa Bay. The storm-surge warning extends south along Florida’s east coast to Port Canaveral, and a tropical storm watch was issued for the extreme northwestern Bahamas.
At the same time, work crews across the state are hustling to pick up debris left by Hurricane Helene amid concerns the rubble can become projectiles in Milton’s winds. Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state has deployed over 300 dump trucks that have removed 1,200 loads of debris and continue to work around the clock.
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.”
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.
In addition, the Florida Realtors Hurricane Center webpage includes links to the Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund and important news about the hurricane season.
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
PO Box 725025
Orlando, FL 32872-5025
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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