Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

October 11, 2024

News: Millions still without power as residents assess damage from Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Over 2.5 million customers remained without power Friday as Florida residents assessed and repaired damage from Hurricane Milton, the Associated Press reports.

At least 12 deaths had been reported due to the hurricane, most in the eastern part of the state. There was widespread flooding in the path of the storm, though Milton did not prove to be quite as catastrophic as had been feared. Residents who evacuated their homes ahead of the hurricane returned to check on their property.

Hurricane Milton’s storm surge caused water levels along the Gulf Coast to rise at least 5 to 10 feet above ground level, according to preliminary estimates from the National Hurricane Center. The worst surge was reported along a

October 10, 2024

Hurricane Milton Moves Out of Florida, Flood Warnings Remain in Multiple Locations

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

On Thursday, Hurricane Milton made landfall in the Atlantic Ocean after devastating Florida, where it caused more than 3 million people to lose power, generated 150 tornadoes, and resulted in at least 12 deaths.

Hurricane Milton produced up to 18 inches of rain in certain regions, with Sarasota County experiencing the worst storm surge, which measured 8 to 10 feet.

While Hurricane Milton has passed out of Florida, flood warnings remain in certain areas.

October 10, 2024

News: Hurricane Milton slams Florida with heavy rain, dangerous winds, tornadoes

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SIESTA KEY, FL – Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday night near Siesta Key south of the Tampa Bay area and proceeded to batter Florida with torrential rain, powerful winds, and tornadoes, WTSP reports.

The storm arrived as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing maximum sustained winds at 120 mph and causing life-threatening storm surge in parts of central and southwest Florida. The hurricane was moving off from Florida’s east coast into the Atlantic on Thursday morning, but a storm surge warning remained in place for much of the state’s east coast and parts of its west coast. The worst storm surge was apparently in Sarasota County, where it was 8 to 10 feet

The dangerous hurricane brought more destruction to a region still trying to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene just two weeks ago.

October 9, 2024

News: Pasco, Marion, Hernando and Citrus among counties under evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Preparations and evacuations continue across much of Florida as powerful Hurricane Milton bears down on the state’s West Coast.

According to the Associated Press, the hurricane was once again upgraded to a Category 5 on Tuesday as it moved across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. It was expected to reach the west-central coast of Florida Wednesday night somewhere near the Tampa Bay region Storm surge and hurricane warnings on the state’s west and east coasts remained in effect.

Along with sustained winds of 125 mph, forecasters said the storm could also bring more than a foot of rain to areas north of its eye, and up to 18 inches in some spots. “You’re going to see flooding of homes and businesses, you’re going to see rescues. It will flood in areas that don’t normally flood,” said Mike Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center. “I’m pleading with you to get out of those storm surge evacuation areas if you have not yet.”

October 8, 2024

News: Hurricane Helene caused tree to crash onto High Springs fire truck

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HIGH SPRINGS, FL – Among the many vehicles damaged across Florida by Hurricane Helene was one of the High Springs Fire Department’s fire trucks.

According to a WCJB report, Tanker 29 was responding to a structure fire during the hurricane when the firefighter on board encountered downed wires on Northwest 185th Street near Plantation Oaks. While the unit was stopped, it was struck by another tree that toppled more wires.

The firefighter managed to get out of the truck safely and was not injured. The truck is no longer in service because of the damage it sustained.

October 7, 2024

Hernando County Issues Mandatory Evacuation Orders for Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

While Spring Hill, Brooksville, and the rest of Hernando County are still cleaning up the damage from Hurricane Helene, Hernando County Emergency Management has issued mandatory evacuation orders starting at 8am on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 due to the category 5 Hurricane Milton expected to make landfall on Wednesday, October 9.

Hernando County residents looking for shelter are advised to arrive at their designated site by 12 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

All regions west of US 19 are under mandatory evacuation, including evacuation zones A, B, and C. This includes all countywide mobile home inhabitants as well as those residing in low-lying and coastal locations. If you need to know your zone, you can find it here.

October 7, 2024

News: Hundreds of homes, buildings damaged in Citrus and Hernando counties by Hurricane Helene

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

HERNANDO COUNTY, FL – Florida residents are continuing to clean up and assess the damage left behind by Hurricane Helene.

A report by WTVT states that at least 500 homes in Hernando County and about 300 buildings in Citrus County sustained major damage, with the Citrus damage estimated at about $70 million. Storm surge of up to 10 feet was reported in many of the communities close to the Gulf.

Homeowners along inlets in Homosassa were among those removing belongings from their homes, which had about three feet of water. Trucks were helping residents remove debris, and shelters were open for residents whose homes were too damaged to return.

October 4, 2024

News: Man facing DUI charges for fatal accident in The Villages

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

THE VILLAGES, FL – Authorities said an alleged drunk driver is now facing charges over a fatal 2023 accident in The Villages, according to the Ocala StarBanner.

56-year-old Gerald Antonio Palomba was arrested for the incident that happened in the area of County Road 42 and Belle Meade Circle. He has been charged with DUI manslaughter and DUI with property damage.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Palomba was riding a motorcycle east on County Road 42 when he went through a red light at the intersection. The driver of a northbound Chevy van, who had been stopped at the light, was proceeding forward with a green light when it was struck by the motorcycle.

October 3, 2024

News: Damage from Hurricane Helene results in $657M in insurance losses in Florida

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Damage from the effects of Hurricane Helene has resulted in an estimated $657 million in insurance losses in Florida so far, according to a WUWF report.

Data from Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation showed that the losses increased to that total on Tuesday, up from $507 million the previous day. 65,716 claims had been filed as of Tuesday, an increase from 48,341 on Monday.

Over half the claims, 33,130, involved residential property, while others included damage to automobiles and commercial property.

October 2, 2024

News: Tree toppled by Hurricane Helene crashes through school bus window in Seminole County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL – A student in Seminole County narrowly escaped injury following an accident Friday morning caused by the destructive force of Hurricane Helene.

WOFL reported details of the incident and spoke with the 8th grader about what happened.

He was riding on a school bus headed for Teague Middle School in Altamonte Springs when a tree toppled by the hurricane on the side of the road came crashing down through a bus window as the driver was making a turn, and sent glass flying.