Two tropical systems could bring heavy rainfall and localized flooding to Florida and the Gulf Coast this week, creating potential property and auto claims even if neither develops into a significant tropical cyclone.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly were moving quickly through the Caribbean on Monday after producing heavy rain in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The National Hurricane Center put Dolly’s chances of redevelopment at 10% over the next seven days. Regardless of development, tropical moisture associated with the system could reach the southern Bahamas or Florida Straits by midweek, with rain potentially reaching South Florida on Thursday.
A separate disturbance off Louisiana and Texas had a much greater chance of tropical development. Forecasters gave the system a 70% chance of becoming a tropical depression or Tropical Storm Edouard. Tropical moisture associated with the Gulf system could contribute to heavy showers and thunderstorms from Houston and New Orleans east through Tampa and Orlando.
For claims adjusters and insurers, rainfall may be more consequential than whether either system receives a name. Localized flooding can produce residential and commercial water losses, vehicle damage and disputes over whether damage resulted from surface flooding, wind-driven rain, roof damage or another covered cause. Adjusters responding after the storms will need reliable weather records and clear loss timelines when separating covered property damage from flood-related losses.
The activity also comes as the Atlantic hurricane season moves toward its climatological peak. NOAA has forecast seven to 13 named storms for the season, including two to six hurricanes and as many as two major hurricanes. A relatively quiet hurricane forecast does not eliminate the potential for costly localized losses from tropical rainfall and flooding.
