Recovering from the Devastating Effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton on Florida Foundations

In late September and early October of 2024, Florida residents faced the onslaught of back-to-back devastating hurricanes less than two weeks apart. The Tampa Bay area particularly experienced record storm surges, while many coastal communities along the west coast, including the Big Bend and Sarasota areas, suffered severe impacts from the deadly storms. Many homes were completely destroyed, and numerous others sustained significant damage to their foundations.

If your home was fortunate enough to withstand the hurricane-force winds and storm surges from these major storms, it’s important not to assume that no damage occurred. Having your foundation inspected afterward is crucial, as hidden issues can develop and worsen over time, potentially leading to more serious problems.
We’ll discuss key signs of foundation damage to watch for and the steps you can take to address these issues and prevent further damage.

Signs of Hurricane Damage to Your Foundation

While some signs of foundation damage are easily noticeable, others may initially go undetected. However, there are clear indicators that should be addressed promptly. Let’s examine some potential symptoms of foundation damage that you can identify with a quick survey of your home.

Symptoms of Hurricane Foundation Damage

• Interior and Exterior Wall Cracks. Perhaps one of the most obvious signs of foundation damage is the appearance of cracks on your home’s interior or exterior walls. Torrential storm surges and hurricane-force winds can erode the soil beneath and around your foundation, leading to settling. Without stable support, cracks are likely to form in the walls and ceilings, often starting as small, hairline fractures. As the foundation begins to settle further, these cracks are likely to widen and spread further over time.
  
  
• Sinking or Sloping Floors. When your home’s structural stability is compromised, the floors may begin to sink or slope. In homes with a crawl space, this is often a clear sign that the floor joists have been damaged or the supporting piers have settled into the soil below, typically due to flooding water entering the crawl space. For homes built on concrete slabs, this may indicate that the soil underneath has washed away, resulting in a lack of stability.
  
  
• Are Your Windows and Doors Sticking? Have you noticed that your doors or windows are becoming increasingly difficult to close? When foundations settle and shift, window and door frames often become misaligned. What may begin as a minor annoyance can eventually escalate to the point where the doors or windows may not close completely at all.
  
  
• Bowing or Separating Walls. Any bowing or separation in your home's walls can indicate significant foundation settlement issues. This includes chimneys or additions that appear to be pulling away from the main structure. Additionally, retaining walls that show signs of bowing can eventually collapse, creating not only an eyesore in your landscape but also the potential for further damage to your home.
  
  

Expert Foundation Repair for Hurricane Damage in Florida

Hurricanes Helene and Milton have inflicted unprecedented catastrophic damage on numerous Florida communities, making recovery efforts long and challenging for many residents. Among the various repairs to personal property, addressing damage to your home’s foundation is crucial and should be prioritized immediately. Delaying foundation repairs can lead to additional damage that not only becomes more expensive to fix later but could also become irreparable if neglected for too long.
 
As Florida’s largest privately-owned foundation repair contractor since 1989, LRE Foundation Repair is ready to assist with your home’s foundation recovery efforts. Schedule a free inspection today to explore the available solutions for restoring your home’s foundational integrity.