Florida residents should finalize preparations for significant impacts of Hurricane Milton, which is forecast to make landfall along Florida’s west-central Gulf Coast as a major hurricane on Wednesday, Oct. 9, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).

Milton, which rapidly intensified to a Category 5 major hurricane late Monday morning with sustained winds of 160 mph, is the 13th named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, ninth hurricane and fourth major hurricane. It will become the fifth landfalling tropical cyclone in the U.S. this year and third Florida landfall of 2024.

Hurricane Debby, a Category 1 storm, made landfall along Florida’s Big Bend region on Aug. 5 with sustained winds of 80 mph. On Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend’s Taylor County as a Category 4 major hurricane with sustained winds of 140 mph.

If the forecast holds, Milton would be the fourth major hurricane to strike Florida over the past two years following Hurricane Ian (Category 4 on Sept. 28, 2022), Hurricane Idalia (Category 3 on Aug. 30, 2023) and Hurricane Helene (Category 4 on Sept. 26, 2024). Overall, Milton would be the 11th major hurricane to make a Florida landfall since 2004.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has begun issuing Hurricane Watches, Tropical Storm Watches and Storm Surge Watches for portions of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Most of the Florida Peninsula and Florida Keys is expected to be placed under various storm warnings by tomorrow.

Additionally, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a State of Emergency for 51 of Florida’s 67 counties to ensure resources are in place to respond to the storm. Widespread mandatory evacuations are being ordered across Gulf Coast communities. The Florida Division of Emergency Management expects this to be the largest evacuation effort since Hurricane Irma in September 2017.

“Milton is expected to accelerate northeastward toward the west coast of Florida, likely making landfall along the central part of the west coast of Florida Wednesday evening,” Triple-I non-resident scholar Phil Klotzbach, Ph.D., a senior research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, said in a brief update on Monday afternoon.

Klotzbach added, “Milton is expected to weaken somewhat as it approaches the coast due to strong vertical wind shear but still likely to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall. In addition to the significant wind threat from Milton, storm surge also has the potential to be severe.”

The NHC warned that impacts of Milton could include destructive hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding, isolated tornadoes and widespread power outages across Florida. In addition to Florida, the NHC indicated some areas of south Georgia and South Carolina could see some impacts as Milton exits Florida into the Atlantic Ocean.

Preparedness Tips

The Triple-I offers preparedness tips for all residents and business owners in the path of Milton:

• Review your evacuation plan and, if you have a pet, your pet's evacuation plan; heed all evacuation orders from local authorities
• Make sure your hurricane kit includes a minimum 14-day supply of non-perishable food and drinking water (one gallon per person, per day) for all family members and pets, as well as a two-week supply of medications for everyone in your household
• Create a home inventory and make sure you can access it remotely if you need to evacuate
• Write down the name and phone number of your insurer and insurance professional and keep this information either in your wallet or purse
• Purchase emergency supplies, such as batteries and flashlights
• Fully charge your cell phones so you can receive weather alerts 24/7
• Prepare your yard by removing all outdoor furniture, lawn items, planters and other materials that could become airborne due to high winds
• Fill your vehicle’s gasoline tank 

Damage caused by hurricanes and tropical storms are covered under different insurance policies, according to the Triple-I:

• Wind-caused property damage is covered under standard homeowners, renters and business insurance policies. Renters’ insurance covers a renter’s possessions while the landlord insures the structure.
• Property damage to a home, a renter’s possessions, and a business – resulting from a flood – is generally covered under either a FEMA National Flood Insurance Program policy or a private flood policy, if the homeowner, renter or business has purchased one. Dozens of private insurers offer flood insurance in addition to FEMA.
• Private-passenger vehicles damaged or destroyed by either wind or flooding are covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. Approximately 80% of U.S. drivers choose to purchase comprehensive coverage.

TRIPLE-I HURRICANE SEASON RESOURCES

Videos

Hurricane Insurance Guide

Insurance Check-Up for Hurricane Season

Create a Home Inventory

Facts & Statistics

Hurricanes

Flood Insurance

Issues Brief

Flood: State of the Risk

Articles

Spotlight on: Catastrophes - Insurance Issues

Background on: Hurricanes and Windstorm Deductibles

Understanding Your Insurance Deductible

Five Steps to Preparing an Effective Evacuation Plan

Settling Insurance Claims After a Disaster

Infographics

How to Prepare for Hurricane Season

What Are Hurricane Deductibles?

How to File a Flood Insurance Claim

About Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I)

With more than 50 insurance company members — including regional, super-regional, national and global carriers — the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) is the #1 online source for insurance information in the U.S. The organization’s website, blog and social media channels offer a wealth of data-driven research studies, white papers, videos, articles, infographics and other resources solely dedicated to explaining insurance and enhancing knowledge.

Unlike other sources, Triple-I’s sole focus is creating and disseminating information to empower consumers. It neither lobbies nor sells insurance. Triple-I offers objective, fact-based information about insurance – information that is rooted in economic and actuarial soundness. Triple-I is affiliated with The Institutes.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241007353781/en/

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