While it’s Texas and the Midwestern states that make up Tornado Alley, Florida isn’t safe from tornadoes. The Sunshine State actually gets on average 46 tornadoes per year, often accompanying hurricanes. 2024’s Hurricane Milton resulted in a record number (46 in just two days) of tornadoes, one of which caused the deaths of six people in St. Lucie County.
Farah & Farah insurance claims attorney Andreas Study shares insights on what you should do if your home is damaged by a tornado.
Tornado Strikes Central Florida News Station
Another tornado struck Central Florida on March 10, 2025, actually hitting the Fox 35 studios during a live broadcast. News anchors and other station staff were forced to take shelter as the 115 mph winds and debris slammed into the station building while meteorologist Brooks Garner remained on-air to warn nearby residents to take shelter and provide details about where the tornado was heading next.
Damage But No Injuries From the Tornado
Fortunately, while this tornado did cause some property damage, there were no injuries. Across Longwood, Lake Mary, and other parts of Central Florida, there were downed trees, debris, and other damage. The Seminole County Fire Department found a home collapsed but the occupants weren’t hurt.
Does Your Homeowners’ Insurance Policy Cover Tornado Damage?
It’s easy to lose track of tornado damage when it comes as part of a package deal with a hurricane. However, when it’s isolated like the Central Florida tornado on March 10th, homeowners may wonder whether or not their insurance policy covers damage from just a tornado.
Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover wind damage, which generally includes tornadoes. That means if your roof was ripped off, windows shattered, or siding torn away, your insurance should help cover the cost of repairs. However, there are a few important exceptions and loopholes you should be aware of:
Flood Insurance May Not Be Covered
In Florida, damage from floods is typically not covered by the standard homeowner’s insurance policy, so if a tornado was accompanied by heavy rain that caused flooding, you would most likely need a separate flood insurance policy for that.
There May Be High Deductibles
In some cases, insurance companies impose higher deductibles for wind-related damage, especially in storm-prone states like Florida. This may depend on your insurer and your policy, so it’s a good idea to check your deductible and insurance coverage.
Delays and Underpayment May Occur
Even if your policy technically covers tornado damage, your insurance company may underpay, delay, or even deny your claim. That’s where an experienced attorney who specializes in dealing with insurance companies can help. Getting a lawyer involved means that there’s someone on your side to advocate for you and push the insurance company to offer you what your case deserves rather than a lowball offer that they hope urgency will force you to accept instead of holding out for the full worth of the damages to your home.
What Damage Can a Tornado Cause?
Tornadoes can cause a wide range of damage, from minor cosmetic issues to complete destruction of homes and businesses. The severity of damage depends on the tornado’s strength, wind speed, and what it encounters along its path. Strong winds can do things like lift shingles off of roofs, down trees, knock over power lines, lift and flip cars, and more. If a home is directly in the path of a tornado, it could end up flattened completely.
What Can You Do if Your Home Is Damaged by a Tornado?
The first step should be to ensure your own safety and the safety of others. If you or someone else is injured, seek medical attention immediately. After that, there are some steps you can take to help improve your chances of getting your insurance company to pay the money that your case is worth.
Take Pictures of All Damage
Take photos and videos of all damage before making any repairs. Save receipts for emergency fixes.
Review Your Homeowners’ Insurance Policy
Look for specifics on wind damage coverage, deductibles, and exclusions.
Get a Second Opinion on the Estimate
Don’t just accept the first estimate your insurance adjuster gives you—bring in a contractor for an independent evaluation.
What To Do if Your Insurance Company Undervalues Your Claim
Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always play fair. They may try to blame pre-existing conditions instead of covering your tornado damage, lowball your payout so you can’t afford full repairs, or use confusing policy language to deny your claim.
If this happens, you don’t have to fight alone. A lawyer who handles insurance disputes can step in to negotiate with the insurance company and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact an Attorney
We always recommend hiring an attorney from the beginning, before you’ve even filed the claim. That way, you’ve got someone on your side looking out for your best interests right from the start. Unless you have signed a release, it is never too late to call an attorney. We help homeowners stand up to insurance companies and fight for the full coverage they’re owed. If your claim was denied or underpaid, we can review your case for free and help you take the next steps.
Don’t let the insurance company leave you stranded. Contact us today to learn how we can help!
