There’s little to complain about Clearwater. In fact, the name speaks for itself. The coastal city with a tropical beach-town vibe is home to some of the Sunshine State’s most beautiful white sand beaches with crystal clear water in jewel-tone hues of turquoise and deep blue. However, if you want to experience the tropical nature of Clearwater you must be prepared to embrace the Atlantic Basin Hurricane season.
2020 has posed one of the more challenging hurricane seasons for people living in and around Florida because of its unusually high number of storms. The latest in the string of 28 named storms this hurricane season is Hurricane Eta.
Eta rolled in bringing tropical storm force winds and heavy rains to Clearwater, Florida. Here’s what homeowners should know about hurricane damage on their Clearwater homes.
Hurricane Eta
Floridians are used to dealing with tropical weather and tropical storms and small hurricanes may begin to feel like a breeze, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare. The system that has been known as both Hurricane Eta and now Tropical Storm Eta made landfall north of Tampa Bay on Thursday, November 12, 2020 but it still brought forceful winds and storm surge warnings to Florida’s Bay Area.
Eta has been an unpredictable storm, starting near Central America and impacting Nicaragua as a Category4 hurricane before weakening and strengthening again. Then it was Cuba and the Florida Keys in its sights, and the Eta took aim for Florida again with landfall in North Central Florida.
In Clearwater homeowners might spot damage like broken or removed roof shingles, broken windows from projectiles, water damage that occurs due to structural damage to the home and water damage from flooding. Clearwater is a coastal city so it’s more susceptible to flooding and storm surges. Depending on the type of water damage you sustain and the type of insurance you have, your water damage may be covered in addition to windstorm damage.
Clearwater Storm History: Does Tropical Storm Eta Stack Up?
Clearwater homeowners might remember these Tampa Bay weather events:
- In 2005, a small tropical storm named Henri impacted Tampa Bay. It made it only 100 miles inward before unraveling. It caused minor flooding. That same year, hail storms and wind damage from a northward moving front caused substantial damage for homeowners in the area.
- In 2014 and 2017 respectively, Hurricanes Charley and Irma impacted the entire Tampa Bay area. Charley did some damage in Polk County, and Irma caused havoc across the area.
- Like it’s sister-city, St. Petersburg, Clearwater is an area considered likely to experience flooding and has many coastal flood zone areas, where homeowners must purchase separate flood insurance on their homes.
Even homeowners who don’t have to purchase flood insurance may want to consider it, living in a coastal city like Clearwater.
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What to Do If You’ve Found Damage
If you’re a homeowner who has Tropical Storm Eta damage affecting your home. You’ll want to take these steps, Clearwater:
- Take documentation: A thorough assessment of your property should take place, during which time you review and document all damage to the home and personal items in it. Photos should be well lit and taken from many angles. You’ll have to go online and fill out a claim form and will be asked for specific information along with your list of damages and photos.
- Contact insurance company: A finished claim packet can be submitted to your insurance company for review. Contact your insurance company to speak to a representative who can help you with your claim.
- Call your lawyer: When a hurricane damages your property, you may need lawyers working for you to make sure your claim is paid in full.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Clearwater Hurricane Attorneys Working for You
No one knows Florida hurricane law like the attorneys at the law firm of Florin|Roebig. If you’re looking for a hurricane damage claim attorney, speak to someone at Florin|Roebig to have your case reviewed for free. To book a free consultation, call us today.
