2022 Hurricane Season – How Bad Will It Get?

What To Expect For The 2022 Hurricane Season

Warm weather. Gorgeous beaches. No state income tax. These are just three reasons people move to Florida. Additionally, data compiled by Move.org, stated more people moved to Florida than any other state in the country in 2021! With our warm climate and beaches surrounding us on 3 sides, comes a recurring threat—hurricanes. Hurricane season is now underway and will last through the end of November. In this article, your independent public adjuster team in Florida, Harrell Adjusting Services, looks at the predictions for the 2022 hurricane season and what to do if your home sustains hurricane damage. 

The Hurricane Outlook For 2022 

NOAA has forecast 14 to 21 named storms.  The US National Hurricane Center, defines a ‘named storm’ as a tropical storm system that has an established rotating circulation pattern and wind speeds of at least 39 miles per hour (63 kph). A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when its wind speeds are in excess of 73 mph (119 kph). Here is the breakdown for the 2022 hurricane season: 

• 6 – 10 Hurricanes –  minimum wind speeds of 74 mph
• 3 – 6 Major Hurricanes – Category 3 or higher, with minimum winds of 111 mph.

Additionally, the 2022 tropical forecast issued by the Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State, calls for:

• 20 Named Storms
• 10 Hurricanes 
• 5 Major Hurricanes

Increase In Hurricanes

The occurrence of hurricanes, and severe hurricanes are on the rise. If the 2022 projections prove accurate, then this year would be the seventh straight with above-normal tropical activity. In fact, The National Hurricane Center ran out of names for Atlantic tropical cyclones in both 2020 and 2021! Each year storms receive a name from a list, each starting with one of the 26 letters in the alphabet. Grievously, meteorologists named 30 storms in each of the aforementioned years. Also, in the last five years a greater number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes made landfall in the U.S. Starkly contrasting the previous 50 years on record for major hurricanes.

Why Are There More Hurricanes?

Scientists point to several climate factors when explaining the increase in hurricane activity. These include, but are not limited to:

• La Niña cooling water in the tropical Pacific Ocean
• Warmer sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean
• Weaker tropical trade winds in the Atlantic 
• An enhanced west African monsoon season, which seeds many hurricanes each year.

Now Is The Time To Prepare For Hurricane Season

It’s not a matter of if another hurricane is going to hitFlorida, but when. Hurricane preparation is part of living in the Sunshine State. Don’t wait to prepare for a hurricane until it is too late.  Stock important supplies now give yourself and your family peace of mind when a big storm starts heading your way. Once a storm is announced, items like bottled water, toiletries, generators and plywood start flying off shelves. Also, be aware of what your homeowners insurance plan covers when it comes to damage done by a named storm. 

Back up your homeowners policy on a flash drive or in the cloud. This allows easy access in the event there is damage and you need to file a claim.

Remember, flood insurance is not a part of standard homeowner insurance policies in Florida. That means, if your home is damaged by storm surge or heavy rains due to a hurricane your damages may not be covered unless you have a separate policy for flood insurance.

Filing A Claim For Hurricane Damage

Wind and water related claims are the most common filed for after a hurricane. Harrell Adjusting Services hopes that your home or business never experiences the need to file a claim like this. However, if you do need to file a claim follow these tips: 

• Contact your insurer to let them know your home has sustained damage and you need to file a claim.

• Document all damages with photo and video.
• Keep all receipts and track expenses related to your claim.

If you are a busy person, or if the thought of dealing with your insurance company is too daunting, seek the help of a reputable public adjuster. The public adjusters at Harrell Adjusting Services are knowledgeable and experienced in the property insurance industry. After filing a claim, your insurer will send one of their adjusters to assess the damage and provide an estimate for settlement, usually mitigating damages to their favor. A public adjuster, however, works for and represents your interests—not the insurance company’s. We work hard to make sure you get every dollar you are entitled to under your insurance policy. 

Harrell Adjusting Services Is Your Source for Florida Hurricane Claim Help

Living through a hurricane can be frightening. Not to mention, assessing the damage after one barrels through your home. Let Harrell Adjusting Services be your refuge after the storm. Based out of Central Florida, we work with property owners just like you throughout the state of Florida. For more information on our services call Harrell Adjusting Services today at (863)559-3405 or contact us here.