Hurricane season for 2023 may be above-normal for Atlantic storms. The compounding damage done by multiple hurricanes could endanger your home, job, and family. Be prepared by learning about the potential damage, and which lawyer to call when it’s time to recover.

As global temperatures reach new heights, the potential for multiple, catastrophic Atlantic hurricanes increases. Part of keeping yourself and your family safe is preparing for possible disasters, especially as insurance companies abandon customers throughout the Sunshine State. While we Floridians are well-practiced at handling hurricanes, we may be facing an unprecedented season of storms for 2023 with record-low institutional support. 

With three locations in Florida — from Boca Raton to Lakeland to Orlando — Osborne & Francis attorneys are ready to help our neighbors rebuild after a storm. Whether you’re dealing with serious property damage, or the devastating consequences of injury or loss of life, we have the proven experience to help you secure what you need and deserve under the law.

As the 2023 Florida hurricane season approaches, bookmark our contact information, and save our number (561) 293-2600 to your phone so you know who to call in the aftermath of a storm. Our attorneys can help you assess your damages, hold your insurance company to their promises, and file suit for any failures that harmed you, your family, your home, or your livelihood.

Read on for updated information about the 2023 Florida hurricane forecast, and other steps you can take to protect yourself in case of disaster.

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Approaching Disaster — Hurricane Season 2023 Forecast

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), here is the outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season:

• Hurricane season extends from June 1 to November 30.
• There is a 30% chance of an above-normal hurricane season for 2023. 
• NOAA is forecasting a range of 12 to 17 named storms (meaning winds of 39 mph or higher).
• Of those predicted storms, 5 to 9 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher).
• Anywhere between 1 to 4 major hurricanes are predicted to develop (category 3, 4, or 5 storms with winds of 111 mph or higher).

For Florida residents, the potential of up to 4 major hurricanes impacting your home or community in one season is overwhelning. That has the potential to devastate your finances, drive you from the area, endanger your health, or even end your life or future prospects. 

Read on below to learn how to prepare for possible disasters, and how an experienced hurricane lawyer can help you hold on to what’s yours, survive, and rebuild.

Rising Temperatures, Higher Danger
In 2023, we have already broken the world record for the hottest day on Earth for an unprecedented four days in a row. Those high temperatures lead to warmer oceans, and more humid conditions that make hurricanes more likely to form, and stronger and longer-lasting over land.
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If the effects of this year’s hurricane season disrupt or demolish your life, contact Florida hurricane attorneys Osborne & Francis at (561) 293-2600 for help accessing your maximum insurance payout as soon as possible.

Damages Prediction for Hurricane Season 2023

Some of the personal damages you may suffer due to 2023’s hurricanes include:

• Physical injuries: People may sustain personal injuries during hurricanes due to flying debris, collapsing structures, falling trees, or other hazardous conditions. These injuries can range from cuts and bruises, infections caused by contaminated waters, wild animal attacks, severe brain trauma, and/or permanent disabilities due to spine injuries.
• Property damage, displacement, and homelessness: Hurricanes can cause extensive damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure. Severe damage to homes often forces individuals and families to evacuate and seek temporary shelter elsewhere. Some may lose their homes entirely, leading to long-term displacement and homelessness. Legal representation may be needed to help resolve these issues.
• Financial burdens: Rebuilding and recovering from a hurricane can impose a significant financial burden on individuals and communities. Repairing or replacing damaged properties, dealing with medical expenses, and coping with the loss of income due to business disruptions or job loss can create long-term financial hardship.
• Emotional and psychological impact: Experiencing a hurricane and its aftermath can have a significant emotional toll on individuals. The stress, fear, and trauma associated with the disaster can lead to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues. The loss of irreplaceable sentimental items like family photo albums can also devastate a person’s mental well-being.
• Loss of life: Hurricanes can tragically result in the loss of human life. A lack of timely and clear communication from government entities, unsafe shelters, or other failures made during the storm can cause or contribute to a person’s death. These issues can be addressed with a wrongful death lawsuit.

The severity and extent of personal damages caused by hurricanes can vary depending on factors such as the intensity of the storm, the preparedness of the affected area, and the effectiveness of emergency response and recovery efforts. 

The next section contains important steps to take for personal preparedness so that you can stay safe even when official responses fail.

One of the most widespread dangers of hurricanes is the disruption of essential services such as electricity, water supply, communication networks, and transportation systems. The lack of access to these services can hinder recovery efforts and make it challenging or impossible for you and your family to meet basic needs. Be prepared for what you can do if help doesn’t arrive in time.

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Florida Hurricane Prediction Preparedness — How To Prep For Multiple Storms

Preparing for an active hurricane season involves taking several proactive steps to ensure the safety of individuals and their property and health, such as:

• Plan for sudden and repeated evacuation. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes and are advised to evacuate, follow the instructions provided by local authorities promptly. Prepare a "go bag" or emergency kit with essential items (food, energy sources, and first aid supplies) so that you can rapidly flee the affected area. Replenish this kit as soon as possible after one storm in case another follows behind it.
• Secure and document your property before each storm. Trim trees and shrubs near your home to reduce the risk of branches or debris causing damage during high winds. Reinforce doors, windows, and garage doors, or consider installing hurricane shutters. Take pictures of your undamaged property in case you need to file an insurance claim to replace it later. Do this between storms as well to show compounding damage.
• Protect your important identifying documents. Gather and secure important documents, such as identification papers, insurance policies, medical records, and property deeds, in a waterproof and fireproof container. Ensure they are intact in the aftermath of each and every storm, and replace them as soon as possible if they’re damaged. Consider making electronic copies and storing them in a secure location or a digital storage cloud.
• Assess post-hurricane damage with a lawyer. Once the hurricane has passed and it is safe to return home, assess the damage carefully under the guidance of an experienced hurricane claims attorney. Take photographs of any damage as evidence for insurance claims, and trust any legal issues related to damage claims, insurance disputes, or contract matters to your lawyer from Osborne & Francis.
• Review and supplement your insurance coverage. In consultation with your attorney, contact your insurance provider by phone call or app messenger to review your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy to ensure it adequately covers potential hurricane-related damages before the next storm hits. Consider purchasing additional coverage if necessary.

Remember that hurricane preparedness and response plans can vary depending on your specific location, local regulations, and the severity of the hurricane. Multiple storms in one season can quickly drain your preparedness resources, so it’s important to recharge these survival basics between hurricanes whenever possible. 

Stay vigilant, follow the guidance of authorities, and seek professional advice when necessary.

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Contact Florida Hurricane Attorneys at Osborne & Francis

Hurricanes have always been an overwhelming interruption to life for Florida residents, but 2023 and the coming years may bring escalating dangers. More storms, stronger hurricanes, and sustained winds and rains may bombard the state. It’s important to be ready to weather any and every storm.

Be advised of the potential for increasingly worse hurricane seasons, and share this information with your local friends and neighbors to build connections and stay safe. Be prepared to call an experienced hurricane lawyer as soon as you have an insurance claim to resolve, or need to file a lawsuit for personal injury or wrongful death.

The sooner you have a lawyer on your side, the better chance you’ll have to expedite your post-storm recovery. Additionally, with a lawyer doing work on your behalf, you can cut down on the overwhelming psychic toll of having to put everything back together on your own. Contact Osborne & Francis at (561) 293-2600 for legal representation — we are your support after the storm.