ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Nearly one week after Helene, the state of Florida released new numbers on the estimated insured losses and counting. It's already at hundreds of millions of dollars.
As of Wednesday night, $777 million in insured losses were reported by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. That's 79,360 claims filed so far from Hurricane Helene.
Homeowners say they couldn't get to the phones any faster after the flooding had subsided.
"Honestly, it's a bit of a shock. I don't think it's kicked in just yet," Dzemal Kvakic of St. Pete said. "Everything that wasn't nailed to the wall has been destroyed."
Neighborhoods like those on 83rd Avenue North near Riviera Bay received several feet of flooding. Ruined furniture, mattresses and other belongings are now trash waiting to be picked up along neighbors' front yards.
Like others, Kvakic is working fast to dehumidify his home to prevent mold from forcing more of his house to be gutted out. Some neighbors around here said they haven't had to file any flood claims in decades.
It's a widespread problem for neighborhoods around Tampa Bay and they hope the thousands paid to keep their homes insured will help.
Tristan Corder is among those whose homes in the neighborhood also have damage from Helene.
Friends have been stepping in, ripping drywall out of the house and moving belongings that are now junk outside.
"The community, the neighborhood, everybody's been very helpful," Corder said. "Everybody's just trying to do what they can and help out when they can."
For Corder, there's a deadline to beat with his repairs.
His wife is pregnant and due at the end of March. Their unborn daughter will be their first child together.
"We're just going to take it one step at a time. Just going to try and move my pregnant wife back in the house before she gives birth," he said. "We're currently staying with my brother in Tampa right now."
The support for Corder continues after a loved one started a GoFundMe on behalf of him and his wife.
Neighbors like Rodrigo Mata said he called his insurance first thing Friday morning.
Despite the impact of the storm, Mata said he's glad his life and his family's were spared.
"We still thank God because we're alive," Mata said. "That's the most important thing because everything is replaceable."
Insurance experts said it's important to act soon when filing insurance claims. Document the claims by taking pictures or videos of the exterior and interior, along with a written inventory of all contents.
Since most of the damage was caused by storm surge, those claims would be made through your flood insurer, property insurance only covers damages caused by high wind or other factors. For damage caused by winds, those claims would be made with your property insurer.
If you do not have a flood insurance policy, you may be eligible for some assistance through FEMA's disaster relief program.
For more tips on filing insurance claims, visit this link.
If you'd like to donate to a GoFundMe going toward Kvacik, visit this link.