Did my homeowners insurance cover storm surge from Helene or Milton?

Storm surge is flood damage, which standard homeowners policies don't cover. Flood damage is paid by an NFIP or private flood policy.

Do I pay two hurricane deductibles if two hurricanes hit in one year?

Florida's hurricane deductible applies per calendar year. If you met it in full on the first hurricane claim, later hurricane claims that year use your regular deductible. Ask your agent how a partly used deductible is handled.

Where did Hurricane Milton make landfall?

Near Siesta Key in Sarasota County on October 9, 2024, as a Category 3 hurricane, about 70 miles south of Tampa.

Hillsborough County

Home and auto insurance in Tampa Bay after Helene and Milton

By the Florida Coverage Compare editorial team · Last updated October 31, 2026

The short answer

In 2024, Tampa Bay was hit twice in two weeks: Hurricane Helene's storm surge in late September, then Hurricane Milton, which made landfall near Siesta Key on October 9 as a Category 3. Two lessons stand out for insurance: surge damage is flood, which homeowners policies don't cover, and Florida's hurricane deductible applies per calendar year.

What happened in 2024

Hurricane Helene brought significant storm surge to the Tampa Bay coast in late September 2024. Two weeks later, the National Hurricane Center reports, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, about 70 miles south of Tampa, with storm surge of 4 to 6 feet from Longboat Key to Venice. Damage from Helene left homes and beaches more exposed when Milton arrived.

Surge is flood, not wind

Water pushed ashore by a hurricane is flood damage. A homeowners policy covers wind; flood needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy, and NFIP policies usually take 30 days to start. Homes outside high-risk flood zones can still flood, so check your zone and price flood coverage even if your lender doesn't require it.

Two storms, one deductible year

Florida's hurricane deductible applies on an annual basis to covered hurricane losses in the calendar year. When two hurricanes hit in the same season, as Helene and Milton did, a deductible met in full on the first claim means later hurricane claims that year use your regular deductible. Keep records of every claim and payment in a busy season.

Know your evacuation zone

Hillsborough County Emergency Management publishes evacuation zones by address. Your zone is a good proxy for surge exposure, and worth knowing before you choose flood coverage and a hurricane deductible.

Auto insurance in Tampa Bay

Florida's auto minimums, $10,000 of PIP and $10,000 of property damage liability, don't cover flood damage to your own car. That's comprehensive coverage, which matters in a region where storm surge can reach parking lots and garages.

Common questions in Tampa Bay

Did my homeowners insurance cover storm surge from Helene or Milton?: Storm surge is flood damage, which standard homeowners policies don't cover. Flood damage is paid by an NFIP or private flood policy.
Do I pay two hurricane deductibles if two hurricanes hit in one year?: Florida's hurricane deductible applies per calendar year. If you met it in full on the first hurricane claim, later hurricane claims that year use your regular deductible. Ask your agent how a partly used deductible is handled.
Where did Hurricane Milton make landfall?: Near Siesta Key in Sarasota County on October 9, 2024, as a Category 3 hurricane, about 70 miles south of Tampa.

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General information, not insurance advice. Florida Coverage Compare is not an insurance company or agent. Confirm details with a licensed agent or the official source.