The strongest tropical storm to hit the Big Bend region of Florida, Hurricane Helene was the deadliest hurricane to strike the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Most of us are still picking up the pieces of lives, homes, and businesses damaged by the storm. Some may be grieving the loss of loved ones or be forever disabled due to injuries suffered in the storm. From Port St. Lucie to Fort Myers Beach, Hurricane Helene has affected the lives of thousands of people.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in the storm, you’d be surprised at how much help our Florida personal injury lawyers can give you. The legal team at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath is alongside you in rebuilding after the devastating hurricane. As your friends and neighbors, we’ve suffered losses as well. Today, we’re providing an update on Hurricane Helene’s damage.
West Palm Beach Hurricane Helene update
West Palm Beach’s damage from Hurricane Helene was what you’d expect from a tropical storm. The most notable impacts included high winds, high surf, rip currents, and beach erosion.
By the time the storm made landfall in West Palm Beach, it had been downgraded to a tropical storm. The city issued a Tropical Storm Warning for most of the day and evening. The gardens at the Society of the Four Arts were closed, and many businesses placed sandbags in front of their buildings, but most remained open.
Businesses have reopened since Hurricane Helene. Some residents and business owners may still be dealing with problems from flooding, plus the additional impact of Hurricane Milton. If you suffered hurricane damage to your property, you can report it online by registering at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Fort Lauderdale Hurricane Helene update
Fort Lauderdale did not experience significant storm damage from Hurricane Helene, although there was significant beach erosion. Some residents saw flooding in their homes or businesses. The city was under a Tropical Storm Watch after the hurricane made landfall in the Panhandle region of Florida.
More than two months after the storm, almost all businesses and city offices are back to normal operating hours. Some buildings suffered flood damage. Ft. Lauderdale saw more damage from Hurricane Milton, which made landfall a little over a week after Helene.
If you experienced storm damage, get more information about reporting it and receiving assistance on the city website.
Boca Raton Hurricane Helene update
Boca Raton escaped Hurricane Helene relatively unscathed; the city saw much worse damage from Hurricane Milton the following week. However, some residents suffered a loss of power, and many buildings had flood damage.
Wind, water, and tornado damage caused most of the material losses and injuries in Boca Raton this hurricane season.
If you still need to request hurricane assistance or report damage, you can contact the City of Boca Raton online or through the MyBoca app.
Fort Myers Hurricane Helene update
Fort Myers saw significant damage from Hurricane Helene. Eighty-six residential structures were impacted; 48 sustained minor damage, and 34 experienced major damage. An additional 16 businesses reported structural damage due to the high winds and storm surges. The storm surge covered the sand berm protecting the roads and reached a top height of four feet.
If you suffered storm damage, you can report it and submit a claim form and your receipts by emailing Risk@cityftmyers.com. You can also report the damage on the Lee County Property Appraiser website through the hurricane reporting link.
Port St. Lucie Hurricane Helene update
Power outages, high storm surges along Port St. Lucie’s 21 miles of coastline, and flood damage were the worst the city experienced during Hurricane Helene. There was some damage to the nests of endangered sea turtles, but we are relieved to note that the turtles seem to be mostly unharmed. The city discourages residents from disturbing the baby turtles.
If you suffered damage to your home or business, you can report it online using the City of Port St. Lucie’s self-reporting damage site.
Post-Helene help from local personal injury attorneys
If you or someone you love suffered bodily injury or property damage due to another party’s negligence during Hurricane Helene, we can help you understand your rights under Florida tort law.
At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, we support our local communities and want to help you secure the means to rebuild your life after the storm. Contact us today at (561) 655-1990 for a free consultation.
