Hurricane Michael presented some of the worst hurricane conditions the Florida panhandle has ever experienced. The storm has been rated as the third most intensely pressurized storm of Atlantic origins to ever make landfall in the contiguous U.S.

It hit Panama City, Fla. on Oct. 10, 2018, with sustained wind speed that exceeded that of Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

The hurricane conditions faced then left after-effects still being grappled with by homeowners, business owners, insurance companies, and local and federal government. Panama City is the seat of Florida’s Bay County, and although it has a population of slightly over 36,000, it has an important role to play in the area of the panhandle.

For that reason, the city’s code enforcement is considering establishing deadlines to spur those involved into action on properties where there has been none. Insurance News Net reports homes that faced hurricane conditions and are beyond repair number anywhere from 500 to 1,000 inside Panama City’s city limits. Businesses that are in a demolition-worthy state are estimated at about 500.

Of particular concern with regard to these private and commercial properties are the hazards they present to the public. Children with normal levels of curiosity tend to investigate them, as do the homeless in search of a place to camp out. The structures can fall down around them and cause unnecessary fatalities.

As indicated by Insurance News Net, Panama City’s City Manager Mike McQueen is attempting to hold off code enforcement until at least April 10—the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Michael making landfall. He recognizes that pestering property owners about code compliance prior to this date doesn’t allow for the delay and difficulty one frequently experiences with dealing with insurance companies.

Nevertheless, McQueen told Insurance News Net he feels the need to establish a date by which suggestions and eventual citations will come in order to ensure that the community will return to its prior standards of upkeep and beauty.

Currently, the City is coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to clean up the remnants of houses and businesses which are irredeemable. Fallen trees and debris have also been removed from private property where insurance has fallen short by a local program.

The Code Enforcement division hopes to start offering helpful suggestions on April 10 and follow that with citations on Oct. 10—one year after Hurricane Michael’s landfall.

Hurricane Insurance and You

According to the Christian Science Monitor, navigating claims for hurricane insurance is tricky, to say the least.

Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding by storm surge even if it is caused by the hurricane. It may cover water damage if the structure was damaged by wind in a way that allowed water to enter the home or business—such as the storm blowing off a portion of a roof or breaking a window. Separate flood insurance is only available through the National Flood Insurance program.

If your property has faced hurricane conditions, and your insurance has failed to act on your behalf to the extent you believe they should, you may benefit from a consultation with a knowledgeable hurricane insurance attorney.