What Are the Unique Hazards Faced by Fort Lauderdale Homeowners?

As a large state, Florida is home to many different environments. Those living in coastal areas can experience much different weather to those who live inland. Depending on where you live, you might be close to everglades, coral reefs, barrier islands, dunes, marshes, and rolling hills. Instead of considering the general hazards posed by Florida, residents of Fort Lauderdale should think about the threats posed by their specific area. Could a property insurance lawyer in Fort Lauderdale help after a major weather event?

Fort Lauderdale’s Unique Weather Hazards

According to the Fort Lauderdale municipal government, the city is especially vulnerable to threats like coastal flooding, interior flooding, hurricanes, thunderstorms, lightning, extreme heat, extreme sun, and tornadoes. Interestingly, the local government also lists “extreme cold” as a potential hazard for residents. The coldest-ever temperature in Fort Lauderdale was 28 degrees in 1977, which is slightly below freezing. Even if the temperature drops below zero for a few minutes, this could be enough to cause frozen or burst pipes.

With all that said, the local government admits that the biggest threats for Fort Lauderdale residents include hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding. These are the weather events that have traditionally caused the most amount of damage and harm for residents. Whether you’re new to Fort Lauderdale or you have lived here for many years, this is the number-one threat you should be preparing for. If you are a homeowner, this might involve regular maintenance, cutting down trees too close to your home, evaluating flood risks, and making sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Remember, it is too late to change your insurance once hurricane season is already upon you.

Don’t Underestimate the Destructive Power of Heat and Sun

While hurricanes and floods might capture most of our attention for valid reasons, one should also be wary about sun and heat. The sun is more powerful than many realize, and it can wreak havoc on your property. In fact, ClimateCheck lists “heat” as the most extreme hazard facing Fort Lauderdale residents.

The sun can completely destroy your roof within a few years by warping shingles and melting other components. The sun can also cause the paint on your home to deteriorate, exposing other aspects of your home to damage. Sun and heat can even cause the soil to shift around your home, thereby affecting the foundation.

Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Property Insurance Lawyers Today

At Geyer Fuxa Tyler, our legal team is made up of a diverse combination of attorneys who are well-positioned to protect the legal rights and financial interests of policyholders. If your property insurance claim was denied, we can help. For a free consultation, please call us today at (954) 990-5251. With an office in Sunrise, we represent policyholders in Broward County and throughout the state of Florida.

Sources: 

fortlauderdale.gov/government/departments-a-h/fire-rescue/emergency-services/emergency-management-homeland-security-domestic-preparedness/other-natural-and-man-made-hazards#:~:text=The%20City%20of%20Fort%20Lauderdale%20is%20most,from%20nuclear%20power%20plant%20accidents%20*%20Terrorism

climatecheck.com/florida/fort-lauderdale