It's hurricane preparedness week and News 13 is focusing on how to protect your homes. In Flagler County, many people are still recovering from Hurricane Matthew, which brought flood waters into their homes and neighborhoods.

  • Flagler County residents still recovering from Hurricane Matthew
  • Insurance company said it processed more claims that previous years
  • 2017 hurricane season starts June 1

"I'm still tightening up but most of the work is done," said Gene D'Avanzo.

D'Avanzo said it's taken six months to get his home close to normal after Hurricane Matthew.

"At the time you think oh, oh my gosh. What's going on, why me," he said. "The well tank was replaced, the flooring had to be redone. They had to pull out dry wall about 36 inches high."

D'Avanzo didn't wait out the storm in October, but when he came back flood waters had run their course.

"It was heartbreaking. I saw devastation. It was so sad to see people walking through the mud trying to clean up and for weeks after that -- week's and weeks -- it looked like a war zone," he said.

D'Avanzo said many of his precious items were ruined from the flood waters that rushed through his home during the storm. His said some of his old family pictures were ruined.

"These I happened to save because they were on the wall. While they were stacked up (in boxes) 19 inches of water threw them off balance and they were ruined. The Star Trek Star Wars collections, places I had been, things I had collected, a lot of photographs, old and irreplaceable," said D'Avanzo.

But he said at least he was able to cast his flood burdens in the hands of the local Koch Insurance agency.

"They walked me through it, got me in touch with the mortgage company to try and help it flow smoother and to get monies so I can repair and get to work right away on it," said D'Avanzo.

"After the hurricane we were absolutely inundated with claims. A lot of them were because of water damage inside the homes," said LeighAnn Koch, with Koch Insurance Agency.

Koch said it was the worst they'd handled in more than 20 years,  with at least 50 flood claims filed with damage estimates of $30,000 to $50,000.

"We can't take care the sentimental side, but flood insurance can help you get back on your feet again," said Koch.

"A lot of people don't have $50,000 sitting around," said D'Avanzo.

"The average flood policy is only $566 a year, and you can actually get a flood policy for under $200 depending on the cost of your home and contents," said Koch.

She recommends private independent insurance companies to save homeowners money and to help those living in high risk flood zones.

D'Avanzo said his advice is to protect what you can and be thankful for what you have.

"I wouldn't have made it without the insurance insurance. Often times people say is a gamble. Well it paid off this time," said D'Avanzo.

Across the state, FEMA reported more than 15,000 flood damage claims and some claims remain open. The Koch Insurance agency recommends with hurricane season just weeks away, get it now because there is a 30-day waiting period.