Stories of hope, help
A partially crushed house from Hurricane Idalia in Perry , FL. Credit, Adrian Holt
An elderly Dixie County man who was cleaning storm debris when a tree fell on his tractor has become the third person declared dead from Hurricane Idalia. The storm made landfall August 30 on Keaton Beach, in the mostly rural and sparsely populated Taylor County, after weakening to a Category 3 hurricane and making a last hours turn away from Tallahassee.
As of this past Friday, the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) total estimated insured losses were $148.8 million from 16,361 claims. About 17.3% of claims have been closed with about a 53:47 ration of paid to unpaid claims. Residential claims made up nearly 70% with Other Lines (which include automobile, fire, marine, and crop) making up almost all of the rest. OIR is requiring daily simplified catastrophe reporting for Hurricane Idalia through this Wednesday, September 13 at this point. As is customary for the past many years, OIR issued an Order prohibiting cancellation or non-renewal of policies for 90 days after hurricane repairs are made, and extending grace periods, and other provisions.
Storm-impacted residents wait outside the FEMA trailer at the Perry Immediate Payment Center & Insurance Village, September 6, 2023. Credit, Adrian Holt
The town of Perry, just inland of Idalia’s landfall, saw some of the most extensive damage in the state. Insurance companies and state agencies across Florida sprang into action offering a variety of resources to residents, including a week-long “Insurance Village” (one of two in the region) to help residents with filing claims. Each year, we at Lisa Miller and Associates attend every insurance village, to help the insurance companies, their policyholders, and other residents in any way possible. In fact, someone from our firm has been present at every single insurance village since Hurricane Andrew back in August 1992, to offer relief and a helping hand during trying times.
Residents impacted by Hurricane Idalia discuss individual assistance with a FEMA representative, September 6, 20023. Credit, Adrian Holt
Cramped under a small white tent were several displaced families, waiting for their name to be called in a queue to speak to someone from FEMA about individual assistance. A man rushed around in a crisp blue collared FEMA shirt, deftly passing out water bottles to the crowd. More families arrived as the morning waned into afternoon, and many were exhausted, but a general air of hope remained. “Oh, this happens every other year or so” said resident Deborah Butler. “This year (the hurricane) took half the roof, and the carport’s gone.” Deborah and her husband had arrived at the Insurance Village to try to get help with repairs just like so many others in their same position. Driving through the neighborhoods in the surrounding area revealed much of the same damage, with residents and relief workers dragging huge dead branches to the curb, uncovering cars, and trying to fix downed powerlines.
A relief worker clears debris from Hurricane Idalia in Perry, FL., September 6, 2023. Credit, Adrian Holt
These scenes across Perry show a town beginning to rebuild, to tally the damages, and provide resources to those who need them. The people of the town, like Deborah Butler, were incredibly appreciative of the financial help they received from FEMA and other organizations gathered in the village. It seemed like a regular occurrence to the people of Perry, who were out of their homes, without power or water in some instances for many days, yet they sat and laughed and gossiped and shook hands and looked up and outward with fierce bravery.
If you want to help those impacted by the storm, the Florida Disaster Fund is in full swing, with $3.7 million donated by Floridians so far and $1.6 million of that awarded to families impacted by Idalia. To donate, click here.
LMA Newsletter of 9-11-23
