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For immediate release
Florida Press Office: Mark Friedlander, 904-806-7813, MarkF@iii.org
ST. JOHNS, Florida, Aug. 28, 2023 — Floridians should be on high alert for the impacts of Tropical Storm Idalia, which is expected to strengthen to a Category 1 hurricane later Monday and intensify to a Category 3 major hurricane in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, before making landfall along Florida’s western Gulf Coast on Wednesday, Aug. 30, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).
The strengthening storm is forecast to generate significant impacts in coastal and inland areas in Florida, with wind speeds up to 115 mph and storm surge as high as 11 feet along Florida’s Gulf Coast at landfall.
In an update Monday morning, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) stated that Idalia’s impacts in Florida will include damaging winds, torrential rainfall, life-threatening storm surge and flash flooding, isolated tornadoes and widespread power outages. The NHC said Idalia will also affect other Southeast states – including Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
A variety of storm warnings (hurricane, tropical storm, storm surge) have been issued across much of the Florida Peninsula and parts of South Georgia. A state of emergency has been declared for 46 of Florida’s 67 counties. Idalia is the 10th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.
“It should be emphasized that only a small deviation in the track could cause a big change in Idalia’s landfall location in Florida due to the paralleling track to the west coast of the state,” NHC forecasters warned Monday morning. They added, “Rapid intensification has become extremely likely before landfall.”
Preparedness Tips
The Triple-I offers the following preparedness tips for all residents in the path of the storm:
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 covered under a FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy or a private flood insurance policy, if the homeowner, renter or business has purchased one.
Private-passenger vehicles damaged or destroyed by either wind or flooding are covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. Nearly 80 percent of U.S. drivers choose to purchase comprehensive coverage.
RELATED LINKS
Video:
Triple-I Non-Resident Scholar Dr. Phil Klotzbach Discusses Hurricane Idalia
Facts & Statistics:
Articles:
Catastrophes: Insurance Issues
Understanding Your Insurance Deductibles
Five Steps to Preparing an Effective Evacuation Plan
Infographic: