Hurricane Isaias struck southern Alabama in October 2026 — a 71 mph gust at Headland, up to 12.97 inches of rain at Bellwood, more than 300,000 Alabama customers without power, and fallen trees across the Wiregrass, Mobile and Birmingham. Get a free Isaias claim review with an Alabama-licensed attorney from our Birmingham office.
Updated October 22, 2026
Isaias made landfall the evening of October 9 near Destin, Florida, as a Category 2 hurricane (105 mph), then tracked inland across southern Alabama. Headland in Henry County recorded a 71 mph gust, and Bellwood in Geneva County measured 12.97 inches of rain.
More than 300,000 Alabama customers lost power. Fallen trees and power lines closed roads around Dothan and came down across Houston and Coffee counties, with damage in Mobile, the Wiregrass and Birmingham.
Claim issues
Your policy wording controls. Here is what Alabama policyholders are asking.
Hurricane deductibles in Mobile and Baldwin counties are usually 1% to 5%. The Alabama Department of Insurance explains they apply only when a hurricane has been declared, within a set watch-and-warning window. Don't assume yours applied — check your declarations page.
Carriers often pay to cut the tree and tarp the hole, not the trusses, ceilings and contents underneath. Debris removal usually has its own limits.
Carriers sometimes pay for shingles but not decking, or treat water that came in through storm damage as a maintenance problem. We dispute what was left out.
If Isaias damage made your home unlivable, additional living expenses coverage may help with a hotel and meals. Whether an outage alone qualifies depends on your policy.
Fences, sheds, barns and carports usually fall under "other structures" coverage with its own limit. Farm and rural property coverage varies by policy.
If you have a FORTIFIED roof or endorsement, make sure the estimate reflects it. The Alabama Department of Insurance notes repairs must be done by a certified FORTIFIED roofer or the designation may not renew.
Next steps
Four steps that protect your claim.
Photograph and video the roof, every room, fallen trees, fences and outbuildings before cleanup.
Tarp, cover openings and dry out what you can. Keep every receipt — tarps, tree removal, generators, hotels.
Note your claim number and the adjuster's name. Ask for every estimate and decision in writing.
Don't sign a release or accept a "final" payment before the full damage is known. Call (844) 776-7364.
FEMA and insurance
FEMA aid is separate from your insurance claim.
As of October 22, 2026, there is no FEMA major disaster declaration for Alabama. Federal emergency declaration EM-3656-AL covers emergency protective measures only, in Baldwin, Escambia and Mobile counties.
Your policy's notice, proof-of-loss and suit-limitation terms apply whatever FEMA does.
We represent policyholders against their own insurers. We don't handle FEMA applications.
Why Property People Law
We don't represent insurance companies. Ever.
After a hurricane, that matters.
We represent homeowners and businesses against their own insurers — never the carriers.
No fee unless we win. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney's fee, but you are still responsible for case costs and litigation expenses.
Alabama claims are handled with Andrew B. Ramey, of counsel (Alabama State Bar No. ASB-2049-B00Y), from our Birmingham office at 3000 Galleria Cir, Suite 1500, Birmingham, AL 35244. Meetings by appointment, or by phone and video.
Recent results
Every case is different.
These results were obtained for clients in other states, not in Alabama. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is evaluated on its specific facts and policy terms.
What clients say
"I was about to accept $11,000 from my carrier for a roof I'd been quoted $38,000 to replace. Property People Law got me $46,500 and handled the whole thing. I literally never spoke to the adjuster again."
"They were calm, clear, and didn't talk down to me. Within a day I knew what my options were. Six months later my house was actually fixed, not patched."
These client experiences come from clients in other states, not in Alabama, and describe individual results. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome; every claim turns on its own facts.
Common questions
It depends on your policy. The Alabama Department of Insurance explains that a hurricane deductible applies only when a hurricane has been declared — in almost all cases from the issuance of a hurricane watch until 24 hours after the last hurricane watch or warning for the state ends. Named-storm deductibles can apply to tropical storms. Check your declarations page.
Under Alabama Department of Insurance standards (Ala. Admin. Code r. 482-1-125), an insurer generally must acknowledge a property claim within 15 days and accept or deny it within 30 days after receiving a properly completed proof of loss — or explain in writing why it needs more time.
Often, yes. Most Alabama homeowners policies cover damage when a storm brings a tree down on the house. Removing the tree usually falls under debris-removal coverage with its own limits. Photograph everything and keep the invoices.
Often, yes. Cashing a first check doesn't always close a claim — many policies allow a supplemental claim when more damage turns up. A signed release is different, so send us the paperwork before you sign anything else.
No. FEMA aid and your insurance claim are separate. Your policy's time limits keep running, so report the damage and pursue the claim now. We don't handle FEMA applications.
Nothing up front. We work on contingency — no fee unless we win, no retainer and no hourly bills. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney's fee, but you are still responsible for case costs and litigation expenses.
3000 Galleria Cir, Suite 1500, Birmingham, AL 35244. Meetings are by appointment, and we also consult by phone and video anywhere in Alabama.
Ready to talk?
Tell us where your Isaias claim stands. An Alabama-licensed attorney will review it and tell you straight whether there's more to pursue. Free, confidential, no obligation.
