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Tropical Storm Eta made its second landfall in Florida on Thursday, just days after initially battering Florida’s Keys and West Coast. Eta’s second strike brought torrential rains and tropical storm-force winds, adding more misery to a region already suffering from flooding, power outages, and extensive property damage.
Eta is the 12th named tropical storm to hit the continental United States in what has already been a record-breaking season. Florida had been spared from the worst of it until Eta’s first strike. After making its initial landfall, the storm moved into the gulf and gained strength for days before hitting the state a second time and traveling across the peninsula.
Record-Breaking Rain and Flooding
Eta had already brought a drenching 18 inches of rain to the cities of Miramar and Pembroke Pines before striking Florida again. The second landfall carried even more torrential rain, bombarding Sun City Center with an additional 9 inches and Saint Petersburg with 8 more inches of rain.
The storm also hit Tampa and Sarasota, setting city records for the wettest day in November history. Heavy rains and a storm surge brought flash flooding to the region, with some of the worst flooding and property damage occurring in Bradenton.
High Winds and Property Damage
Eta’s first landfall brought sustained winds of 65 miles per hour, nearly qualifying it as a Category 1 hurricane. Over the course of the week, the winds never died down: its second landfall brought sustained winds ranging from 50 to 60 mph to Cedar Key, Punta Gorda, and Saint Petersburg.
High winds from the storm’s first strike had already caused a swath of destruction, including downed trees, closed bridges and roads, and 45 thousand residents without power. Eta’s second landfall tore off roofs, downed power lines, and left an additional 30 thousand without power in its wake.
As Florida recovers from Eta, some will encounter even more difficulty: insurance companies that either underpay or will not honor claims for storm damages. If you suffered property damage due to Tropical Storm Eta and had your claim denied, you could be eligible for compensation. Fill out our free, no-risk case evaluation form and one of our lawyers will be in touch.
After the Storm
Even after the worst of a tropical storm is over, conditions could still be dangerous. Taking the following steps will make your cleanup smooth, safe, and efficient:
- Follow CDC cleanup guidelines: Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and make sure your building is safe before entering.
- Safeguard your property to make sure no further damage occurs. Secure loose items in case of wind and cover up any holes in your property with tarps.
- Photograph and write down all property damage. Make sure you get pictures of damaged property from multiple angles to get the best evidence.
- Hire an attorney. A lawyer will help your claim go smoothly and provide the best chance of getting the compensation you deserve. Contact the Morgan & Morgan hurricane team — we’re ready to help.
Contact Morgan & Morgan
Going through a major storm is hard enough; you shouldn’t also have to fight your insurance company. If you believe your claim has been minimized or denied unfairly, get in touch with Morgan & Morgan. Our team has more than 30 years of experience helping people like you get the compensation they deserve.
We have the experience, knowledge, and resources to take on the biggest insurance companies — and we don’t get paid unless you win. For more information, fill out one of our no-obligation case evaluation forms.