We’re still picking up the pieces in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. It was the second-most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Gulf of Mexico, second only to 2005’s Hurricane Rita. As our communities assess and rebuild, we look to the future and how we can help others. Many of us are seeing everything we’ve built in devastation, and battles with an insurance company only compound our feelings of frustration and loss.
Some of us may also be recovering from injuries or grieving the loss of a loved one. Lack of safety precautions and poor building construction easily cause injury or death during a powerful storm.
In these cases, injury may have been avoidable but for the building owner’s or property manager’s negligence. Our Florida personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options after Hurricane Milton.
At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, we’re in the middle of the wreckage with you. Our offices are located in many of the affected communities, and we’ve been keeping close tabs on relief efforts and helping rebuild alongside our friends and neighbors. After a little over a month, how are things in eastern Florida looking after Hurricane Milton 2024?
West Palm Beach Hurricane Milton update
West Palm Beach was spared much of the storm damage from Hurricane Milton 2024 since the storm had dropped to a Category 1 by its arrival here. Many homes and businesses in the city saw serious damage from the dozens of tornadoes that the storm spawned. The western part of the city was hardest hit.
There were several fatalities, plus overturned cars, roofs ripped off buildings, and massive trees uprooted and flung across roads and structures. The areas of Wellington, The Acreage, and parts of Palm Beach Gardens were the hardest hit. Many Wellington homes were completely or partly destroyed by the estimated 32 tornadoes that hit the region.
Currently, most businesses are open again, and rebuilding efforts in some of the areas with the worst hurricane damage are still underway. You can report Hurricane Milton’s damage online and seek assistance by registering at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Fort Lauderdale Hurricane Milton update
Fort Lauderdale was less impacted than its neighbors. Still, most people in the city suffered days of power outages, flooding, and high-wind damage from the tornadoes spinning off from the storm.
Six weeks after the storm, businesses are mostly open, although some residents are still dealing with the aftermath of flood damage. The city website has information for reporting downed power lines, flood damage, and other post-storm information.
Boca Raton Hurricane Milton update
Boca Raton experienced much less loss of life and property than her neighboring cities to the west. Many residents still had significant flood damage to their homes, damage to structures from high winds, and downed power lines. Most Boca Raton homes and businesses lost power for at least 48 hours, some for longer.
You can report storm damage or request assistance online at the City of Boca Raton’s website or through the MyBoca app.
Fort Myers Hurricane Milton update
The storm surge along Fort Myers Beach reached as high as 10 feet as Hurricane Milton made landfall. Thirty-seven tornadoes were confirmed to have spawned from the storm. Most of the damage to homes and businesses along the coast was due to the storm surge and flooding, but many structures were damaged by tornadoes and high winds.
You can report storm damage on the Lee County Property Appraiser website. Use the hurricane reporting link or submit a claim form and receipts to Risk@cityftmyers.com.
Port St. Lucie Hurricane Milton update
The city’s Multi-Resource Agency Center (MARC) has aided over 800 Port St. Lucie residents who lost their homes after the storm. The City of Port St. Lucie offers MARC assistance, including meals and temporary shelter, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s located inside the Fenn Center at 2000 Virginia Ave. in Fort Pierce.
All city offices, libraries, and attractions are open as normal, although some events may be postponed. Many area parks and preserves remain closed, but Ocean rescue lifeguards are back on duty.
The city estimates that over 100 residences and businesses sustained major damage. More than 300 reported minor damage after the storm. You can document damage from Hurricane Milton on the city’s self-reporting damage site.
Post-Milton help from our personal injury law firm
If you or someone you love was injured in Hurricane Milton, we can help you assert your rights. Contact Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath today at (561) 655-1990 for a free consultation.
