Posted On: February 18, 2006, 11:57 am CST

Posted By: Greg

My family has lived in Pensacola since 1973. We have experienced many hurricanes over the years and endured numerous negotiations with our insurance companies. On 9/16/04 hurricane Ivan made landfall with sustained winds of a 130 mph. The winds initially caused substantial roof damage, with many homes losing their roofs or being opened up by flying debris. The wind then drove ashore a 16 foot storm surge inflicting additional heavy damage to homes that where already opened up by the wind.

The roof on my home in Pensacola Beach stay on throughout the storm but a heavy cabinet from a home up wind of my property flew into my door which opened the house to flooding. Fortunately, this happened late in the storm resulting in a high water mark of only 31 inches. Other homes surrounding my property had more severe wind damage along with high water marks of over 60 inches.

The wind caused severe flooding damage to happen. It blew many homes apart and opened them up to water and flooding damage. My insurance company eventually agreed with me but it took persistent and sometime contentious negotiations. In the end the insurance company did the right and reasonable thing. Unfortunately, it will take a judge's decisions to help the less fortunate people of Mississippi and Louisiana.