Why this matters right now
As of August 15, 2025, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) upgraded Erin to the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2025 season, with formal advisories now issued and forecast updates continuing on the standard 6‑hour cycle. That means Central Florida property owners—especially in Winter Park—should be acting on a clear, staged plan before any impacts and be prepared to advocate for their insurance claims after the storm. National Hurricane Center+2National Hurricane Center+2
At Claim Resource Public Adjusters, we represent you, not the insurance company. Our role is to help Winter Park homeowners, condo associations, and businesses prepare smartly and then recover fully—documenting damages, building a strong claim, and negotiating for a fair settlement if Erin affects Central Florida.
What we do before Hurricane Erin
1) Pre‑loss policy and coverage review (free)
We’ll review your homeowner’s or commercial policy so you know the likely deductibles (including hurricane deductibles), exclusions, water vs. wind coverages, ordinance & law, ALE/LOU (Additional Living Expense/Loss of Use), and Business Interruption provisions. This is not legal advice—we’re clarifying how your policy language is typically applied to hurricane losses so you can plan.
SEO note/phrases woven in: policy review, homeowners insurance hurricane claim, commercial hurricane claim, public adjuster Winter Park, Florida public adjuster.
2) Photo/video baseline & inventory
We help you create a pre‑storm photo baseline—roof, exterior elevations, windows/doors, flashings, soffits, interior ceilings/walls, flooring, cabinets, mechanicals—and a quick contents inventory. If Erin later causes wind damage, roof damage, or water intrusion, we can prove the “before and after.”
3) Watch vs. Warning: know your timeline
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A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are possible in the area.
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A Hurricane Warning means hurricane conditions are expected. National Ocean Service
The NHC issues advisories at least every 6 hours (5 am, 11 am, 5 pm, 11 pm Eastern) so you can time preparations. National Hurricane Center
4) Evacuation zones & safe decisions
Even inland communities like Winter Park, Maitland, Casselberry, and Altamonte Springs should know evacuation guidance and flood‑prone areas. Florida’s “Know Your Zone, Know Your Home” resources show how local zones and building types affect evacuation decisions. Florida Disasterfloridadisaster.maps.arcgis.com
5) Pre‑approved mitigation vendors
We maintain relationships with vetted tarping, dry‑out, and board‑up teams who respond as soon as it’s safe. That helps you meet the policy duty to mitigate further damage and preserve receipts for reimbursement.
6) Storm intel you can trust
Bookmark the National Hurricane Center (NHC) for the official forecast cone (remember: it visualizes historic track error—roughly 60–70% of the time the storm’s center stays within the cone). Don’t rely only on social media maps. National Hurricane Center
A simple 72‑48‑24 hour game plan
72 hours before likely impacts (Watch timing):
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Photograph/film property exterior & interior; back up to the cloud.
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Stage plywood/shutters; clear gutters; secure outdoor items.
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Verify deductible and claim reporting steps; save your carrier number.
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Freeze bottles of water; charge batteries & power banks.
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Print policy & IDs; store critical docs in waterproof bags.
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If you’re a business near Park Avenue, plan for business interruption documentation (sales history, bookings, payroll).
48 hours before (often Warning timing):
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Install shutters, reinforce garage doors if applicable.
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Park vehicles in the safest location; protect lifts/roof access ladders.
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Move valuables and electronics off the floor.
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Confirm your family meet‑up plan for Winter Park / Maitland / Casselberry; check local emergency updates.
24 hours before:
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Photograph everything again after protections are in place.
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Shut off irrigation; lower pool water if advised.
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Prepare go‑bags; keep shoes by the bed; know the safe interior room.
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Keep tuning to NHC advisories (every 6 hours minimum). National Hurricane Center
After Erin: how we help you recover and get paid what’s fair
1) Safety first, then early documentation
Once authorities say it’s safe, we do an on‑site walkthrough with you. We capture time‑stamped photos/video of:
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Roof damage (shingle lift/creep, missing shingles/tiles, ridge/hip damage, flashing failures, skylights).
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Exterior openings (doors/windows, garage doors, screens, lanai enclosures).
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Interior water damage (ceiling stains, wet drywall, buckled floors, cabinets, insulation).
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Mechanical/contents (HVAC, pool equipment, appliances, electronics, furniture).
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Outbuildings/fences and landscaping.
We also record moisture readings and thermal images to prove water migration paths—crucial in wind vs. water disputes.
2) Mitigation & preservation of evidence
We coordinate tarping/dry‑out while preserving evidence the carrier’s field adjuster needs to see. Keep every invoice; don’t discard materials until documented.
3) Building a strong claim package
Our estimating team prepares a room‑by‑room scope in Xactimate, pairing photos, measurements, codes (when applicable), and line‑item pricing to your policy. We assemble:
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Cause‑and‑origin narrative tied to the event (Hurricane Erin).
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Detailed proof‑of‑loss package (if needed by your policy).
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Contents inventory with replacement costs.
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Business Interruption loss worksheets for commercial clients (restaurants, boutiques, medical/dental offices).
4) Negotiation with the carrier
We handle adjuster meetings, desk reviews, and re‑inspections. If your Erin insurance claim is underpaid or denied, we pursue supplements or reopen the claim with new evidence. If your claim benefits from mediation or appraisal, we’ll guide you through options and work alongside your attorney when legal action is appropriate.
5) Condo & HOA expertise
From roofs and elevations to shared mechanicals and interiors, we help condo boards and HOAs in Winter Park, Maitland, and Altamonte Springs coordinate Association vs. unit‑owner damages and policy intersections.
What damages are common with hurricanes?
While headlines often center on “category,” remember the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale describes wind intensity only; storm surge and rainfall flooding can be equally or more dangerous. For an official primer on the wind scale (Categories 1–5) and its limits, see the NHC’s overview. National Hurricane Center+1
Typical claim drivers we see in Central Florida:
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Wind damage: roof coverings, underlayment, ridge vents, flashings, soffits, gutters, fences, exterior cladding.
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Wind‑driven rain: through storm‑compromised openings, skylights, doors, or roof systems.
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Water damage: ceilings, walls, flooring, cabinets; hidden cavities needing demolition and dry‑out.
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Power‑loss impacts: spoiled food, electronics surges (policy‑dependent).
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Debris impacts: fallen limbs/trees into roofs and enclosures.
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Commercial: interior build‑outs, signage, refrigeration, business interruption.
Homeowners & businesses: your Erin checklist (post‑storm)
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Document first: Photograph/video every room and the exterior before any cleanup.
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Mitigate safely: Tarp, board up, and begin professional dry‑out as soon as possible; keep receipts.
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Report the claim promptly per your policy instructions.
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Call your public adjuster (us) early: We’ll meet the carrier’s adjuster on site and control the narrative with facts, not guesswork.
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Track ALE/LOU: Save hotel/rental receipts and meal logs if your home is uninhabitable.
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For businesses: Save payroll, sales, and booking records; note closures and supplier issues tied to Erin.
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Don’t discard materials until photographed and, when possible, inspected.
Why partner with Claim Resource Public Adjusters in Winter Park?
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Local focus: We serve Winter Park and neighboring Maitland, Casselberry, and Altamonte Springs, understanding local building types and common roof systems.
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Carrier‑grade estimates: We write in Xactimate—the same estimating platform most insurers use.
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Full claim lifecycle: From initial filing through supplements, re‑inspections, and settlement.
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Residential & commercial: Single‑family, townhomes, condos, multi‑family, retail, restaurants, medical/dental, and offices.
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Transparent communication: You’ll know exactly where your Hurricane Erin claim stands.
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No conflict of interest: We represent policyholders only—never the insurance company.
Ready to start or just want a free pre‑loss review? Visit Claim Resource Public Adjusters.
Quick answers to common questions
Q1: If Erin only caused a few missing shingles, should I still file?
If water entered or underlayment was compromised, minor roof damage can lead to interior issues months later. We can assess and advise based on your deductible and policy.
Q2: What if the carrier says the damage is “wear and tear,” not storm‑related?
We collect comparative photos, meteorological data, and roof system details to tie cause and origin to Erin where supportable.
Q3: How soon will I hear from the insurer?
Carriers typically acknowledge claims quickly during hurricanes, but site inspections can lag. We push for timely inspections and escalate when needed.
Q4: Where should I get the most reliable storm updates?
Rely on the National Hurricane Center for official advisories, the forecast cone, and definitions of watches/warnings. National Hurricane Center
The Erin forecast cone & what it actually means
We’ve all seen the “cone” graphic. It is not a damage footprint; it’s the probable track center uncertainty window. Historically, the storm’s center stays inside the cone about 60–70% of the time, which is why areas outside the cone can still see significant rain, wind, and tornadoes. Plan accordingly. National Hurricane Center
Service area spotlight
While this article is tailored to Winter Park, we actively serve nearby communities across Orange and Seminole Counties, including Maitland, Casselberry, and Altamonte Springs—and frequently assist clients in Oviedo, Longwood, Baldwin Park, and College Park as well. Every neighborhood has its own building quirks; we tailor our strategy to yours.
In summary
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Before Erin: Get your documentation and plan in place; watch for Watch/Warning transitions and follow official NHC guidance (advisories at least every 6 hours). National Ocean ServiceNational Hurricane Center
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After Erin: Move fast on mitigation and documentation, then let a public adjuster build and negotiate your claim package for a fair settlement.
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Local help: Claim Resource Public Adjusters is ready for Winter Park and surrounding cities.
Helpful official resources
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National Hurricane Center (NHC): https://www.nhc.noaa.gov (forecasts, advisories, cones, watch/warning definitions) National Hurricane Center+1
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Florida “Know Your Zone”: evacuation & flood‑risk tools. Florida Disasterfloridadisaster.maps.arcgis.com