Deadline to file a claim for Hurricane Irma damages is here

The deadline to file a claim for Hurricane Irma is 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.

The damages caused by Irma in Southwest Florida were endless, and more than one million claims have been made ahead of the deadline.

We visited the Island Park community in south Fort Myers, where neighbors told us about the importance of filing a claim before it’s too late.

Hurricane Irma changed Judy Wallthall’s life in an instant. Wallthall and her neighbors suffered for months, making their homes whole again. Island Park flooded weeks before Irma hit.

LINK: How to file an insurance complaint

“There were snakes in the water and everything,” Wallthall said. “Everybody’s furniture was in their yards. I mean, it was mess around her for awhile.”

Wallthall told us the only reasons is in her home today is because she followed through on her insurance claim.

As the clock ticked down Wednesday to file claims for Hurricane Irma damage, Deborah Dillinger-Crep reminded us what must be done to properly file. Dillinger-Crep is the owner of Brightway Associate Insurance.

“The first thing you need to do is get your policy out,” Dillinger-Crep said. “Make sure you have your policy number.”

Dillinger-Crep told us you can file online or over the phone.

“All of that information should be on the cover page of your declaration, which will have the claims number or customer service number,” Dillinbger-Crep said. “It will also have the website.”

Wallthall hopes everyone who needs to is able to properly file a claim in time.

“I can remember, but it’s like, after three years, you’re back in, and you’re happy, and everything is getting back to normal around here,” Walthall said. “If you haven’t claimed. You better get on it. And call right away.