If you live in Florida, no doubt you were watching the news last month and were shocked at the damage caused by the South Florida storms. And if you were unlucky enough to be impacted by the sprawling storms and tornados, perhaps you and your family are still picking up the pieces.

At Boggs Law Group, we are major advocates for homeowners, and we know too well the devastation that severe weather can cause. Our dedicated attorneys know that there’s always more to learn when it comes to standing up for homeowners and that it’s helpful to connect with industry experts. That’s why we were delighted to attend the Windstorm 2024 conference recently in Orlando.  

Let’s take a look at the impact that the January 2024 storms had on Florida.

The wrath of the January 2024 South Florida storms 

Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed at least four possible tornadoes near Bay and Jackson counties and declared a state of emergency for 49 counties in Florida. 

Bay County took quite a hit as the storms tore through the Florida Panhandle. Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford took to Facebook to confirm that his office had received numerous reports of damage. He also stated that several people were rescued out of structures. “We’ve had multiple tornadoes on the ground,” said Ford in a video shot from the air over Panama City Beach, showing terrible devastation after several tornadoes caused havoc across the state.

Ford urged residents to stay off the roads as severe weather approached, “Everyone needs to seek shelter. You need to find a safe space inside of your house — a windowless, interior room. We want y’all to stay safe.”

Authorities confirmed damage near Thomas Drive at Panama City Beach, where buildings were demolished and over one hundred residents displaced, and at Resota Beach Road in Southport. Because of debris on the roads, The Grand Lagoon Bridge was closed, and The Florida Highway Patrol also closed the West Bay and Hathaway bridges due to the storms. People also reported collapsed buildings and boat trailers tipped over in Panama City’s Pirate’s Cove Marina, and nearby, the roof of an apartment complex was torn off. An RV and trailer park were destroyed in Graceville. 

Thankfully, no deaths were reported in Florida, but there were several injuries.

Standing up for you

Today, as we all continue to uncover the true damage from the South Florida storms, many homeowners are facing the dreaded task of filing an insurance claim. Sadly, what people don’t realize is that just because you have home insurance doesn’t mean that your insurance company will do the right thing. Often, on top of trying to rebuild their home, many are faced with an uncooperative insurance company trying to undervalue, deny, or delay their claim. If there’s a loophole to prevent a fair settlement, they will try to use it. 

If you find yourself in this situation, you need assistance. Your best shot at achieving the full compensation that you deserve is by having an experienced and dedicated legal team on your side. Our team is here to help you through the entire process, so allow us to help guide you and give you the confidence you need to fight this fight.Our goal is to advocate and protect policyholders. We are happy to discuss your claim and work together until you settle fairly with the insurance company.