Naples Hurricane Ian Homeowners Insurance Law Firm – ILG Group

On September 28, 2022, much of southwest Florida suffered unimaginable destruction when Hurricane Ian came ashore.

The slow moving Category 4 Naples FL hurricane battered the shoreline and beaches of Naples and Marco Island, destroying beachfront hotels and homes, and eroding beaches along Collier County. Charlotte County and the communities of Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Boca Grande, and Englewood also suffered heavy wind and flood damage.

But perhaps the hardest hit areas were the Lee County communities of Bonita Beach, Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Cape Coral, and the island communities of St. James City, Matlacha, and Bokeelia on Pine Island. These communities were devastated. Many residents lost their homes, businesses, and some their lives.

Hurricane Ian was a large and destructive Category 4 Atlantic hurricane that was the deadliest hurricane to strike the state of Florida since the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. Ian caused widespread damage across western Cuba and the southeast United States, especially the states of Florida and South Carolina. It was the ninth named storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.

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On September 29, 2022 a Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Florida (FEMA-4673-DR), was issued through the department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated September 29, 2022, the President issued a major disaster declaration under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the “Stafford Act”), as follows:

I have determined that the damage in the State of Florida resulting from Hurricane Ian beginning on September 23, 2022, and continuing, is of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the “Stafford Act”). Therefore, I declare that such a major disaster exists in the State of Florida.

Preliminary estimates of damage from Hurricane Ian are wide-ranging. Various analytic agencies and insurance companies have placed losses in the tens of billions. Verisk Analytics indicated a total of $42–57 billion and potentially over $60 billion, when losses not covered under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are included.

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Karen Clark & Co. placed insured damage at nearly $63 billion with total economic losses over $100 billion. On October 10, Risk Management Solutions, a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, placed private market damage at $53–74 billion with an additional $10 billion from the NFIP. Beyond physical and economic losses, The Triple-I Corporation estimated litigation costs in Florida would reach $10–20 billion.

Naples and Collier County Damage

Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann described the city’s damage as catastrophic. Officials reported the hurricane’s 20-foot waves from the Gulf of Mexico destroyed the historic Naples Pier. The storm’s destruction disrupted communications, electricity, water supply, and other services.

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Countywide, 33 buildings were destroyed. A combined 3,515 residential and commercial buildings sustained major damage; the report said. Of the $2.2 billion in damage, which included the cities of Naples and Marco Island, $1.7 billion was damage to residential buildings and $492 million was damage to commercial buildings.

Port Charlotte Hurricane Ian Damage

Port Charlotte sits across Charlotte Harbor from Punta Gorda. Ian’s ferocious winds left the town in shambles and water standing in several neighborhoods. Charlotte County reported 23 deaths related to Hurricane Ian. Residents of Port Charlotte experienced the following types of damage to their property:

• Roof damage, from high winds and flying debris
• Water damage from heavy rains and storm surge
• Damage from fallen trees
• Window damage from high winds and flying debris

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Hernando County: Mandatory evacuations have been issued for all areas west of US 19, which include evacuation zones A, B, and C. All residents living in coastal and low-lying areas, as well as manufactured homes county-wide, are included. Residents were advised to seek safe shelter with family or friends that reside in a safe structure.