Even though hurricane season in Florida has been rather tame so far, in general, it’s not a matter of if, but when a storm will hit. From the strong winds to the heavy rain and flooding, hurricanes are among the most powerful natural disasters on earth and can cause devastating damage to your property. To minimize the impact, preparation is the key. Whether you’re a longtime Floridian or new to the state, taking steps to hurricane-proof your home/property can make all the difference when a storm comes barreling through.
The question is: are you ready?
Here’s a detailed guide to help you prepare your home and property for potential hurricane damage, giving you peace of mind during even the fiercest of storms. Be on the lookout for Part II.
Hurricane Facts & Figures
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Historically, about 2/3’s of all Atlantic hurricane activity occurs between August 20 and October 10, according to Colorado State University meteorologist Philip Klotzbach.
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AccuWeather 2024 Predictions:
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16-20 named storms
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6-10 hurricanes
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3-6 major hurricanes
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4-6 direct impacts to the United States
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From 2010 to 2023, hurricanes in the U.S. caused a total of $1.41T in damages, with an average of $22.8B per event (NOAA Office for Coastal Management)
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The most expensive hurricanes in recent years include:
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Hurricane Ian (2022): $118.5B in damages
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Hurricane Harvey (2017): $125B in damages
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Hurricane Maria (2017): $96B in damages
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Impact on Lives
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From 2020 to 2023, hurricanes caused around 357 fatalities in the U.S. with an annual average of 90 deaths.
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Hurricanes Maria (2,982 deaths), Katrina (1,833 deaths), and Ian (156 deaths) are among the deadliest in recent history.
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Beyond direct fatalities, millions of people have been displaced, with long-term impacts on communities, as seen with over 15M affected by Hurricane Katrina.
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Insurance Rates
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Hurricanes have caused insurance premiums in Florida to rise significantly, with homeowners facing higher rates due to the increased frequency and severity of storms.
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Insured losses from hurricanes from 2014-2023 exceeded $79B.
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Recent studies show that in the last 5 years, uninsured weather-related damages totaled $29.4B, highlighting the gap in coverage many homeowners face.
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Injuries and Fatalities
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Annual Hurricane Fatalities: On average, 74 people die each year from hurricanes in the U.S. die to direct impacts such as storm surges, strong winds, and flooding.
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Indirect Hurricane Fatalities: Many deaths are caused indirectly by hurricanes, such as from:
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Power outages
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Lack of medical care
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Accidents during clean-up efforts
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The indirect death toll from hurricanes can be significant, with hundreds or thousands of additional fatalities over time.
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Injuries from Hurricanes: While exact numbers vary by storm, thousands of injuries are recorded annually from hurricanes, primarily due to:
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Flying debris
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Structural collapses
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Floodwaters
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Post-storm recovery
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Fallen power lines
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Evacuation-Related Deaths: A significant number of fatalities occur during evacuations. These can result from car accidents, heat exhaustion, or medical complications during long travel times.
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Flood-Related Injuries: Flooding is the leading cause of injuries during hurricanes. People sustain injuries due to walking/driving through flood waters which can conceal dangerous debris, downed power lines, or sudden drop-offs.
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These general statistics demonstrate the broad impact hurricanes have on human health and safety. Beyond just individual storm events.
In Part II, we’ll discuss ways to prepare your home and property to withstand a hurricane’s devastation.
