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Hurricane damage expert witness

A hurricane damage expert witness gives attorneys a technical opinion, in a disputed loss, on what caused building damage, such as wind versus surge and flood, or storm versus pre-existing wear. After Hurricane Isaias, Justen Newton puts findings and reasoning in writing. He is HAAG Commercial Certified and is not an attorney.

Attorneys: when the question is what caused the damage, you need a technical opinion from someone who reads buildings. I am HAAG Commercial Certified, with 17 years in the roofing industry.

I assess buildings, not law. I am not an attorney, and I do not give legal or coverage opinions.

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On the ground in the Florida Panhandle. Graphic is an illustration, not live radar.

What I offer in Florida is damage documentation for commercial property owners and expert opinions for attorneys. Homeowners can use these guides or call me to talk it through. I do not hold a Florida or Alabama contractor license and offer no repair work; repairs go to a Florida-licensed contractor you choose, and you can verify any Florida license at myfloridalicense.com.

Florida law states:

The consumer is responsible for payment of any insurance deductible. It is insurance fraud punishable as a felony of the third degree for a contractor to knowingly or willfully, and with intent to injure, defraud, or deceive, pay, waive, or rebate all or part of an insurance deductible applicable to payment to the contractor for repairs to a property covered by a property insurance policy. It is insurance fraud punishable as a felony of the third degree to intentionally file an insurance claim containing any false, incomplete, or misleading information.

Questions I answer

  • Wind or surge and flood: what damage was done by wind, and what by water.
  • Storm or pre-existing: what is storm-caused, and what is age, wear or earlier damage.
  • Roof system condition and failure mode: how and where a roof or wall assembly failed.
  • Technical description of the physical damage (not a repair scope, estimate or bid).

Why Isaias raises these questions

  • Isaias brought wind, rain and storm surge to the Panhandle. Source: The Guardian
  • Yale Climate Connections described a broad wind field with surge pushed far to the east of the landfall center, which means different stretches of coast saw different mixes of wind and water. Source: Yale Climate Connections
  • A pre-landfall industry estimate (BMS Group, reported by PropertyCasualty360) put insured losses at $4 billion to $6 billion. Loss assessments remain preliminary. Source: PropertyCasualty360

Where wind and water hit the same building, the order and the evidence matter. Evidence is easy to lose: damaged materials get hauled away and water lines get cleaned. Early documentation preserves it. See building damage for how the two are told apart.

How I work

  1. Intake call

    You describe the property and the question. We confirm the scope of what I can opine on.

  2. Site documentation

    When retained by an attorney in a disputed loss, I document what is observed in the building with photo, video, measurements and moisture readings.

  3. Technical findings

    I put my findings and the reasoning behind them in writing.

  4. Follow-up

    Questions about my findings are answered in terms of the building and the evidence.

What I will not do

  • I do not promise an outcome. My opinion follows the evidence, whoever retains me.
  • I do not give legal advice or interpret policy language. I assess buildings, not law.
  • I do not adjust claims or negotiate on anyone’s behalf.

Official resources

Resource links last checked October 16, 2026.

Questions, answered plainly

What does a hurricane damage expert witness do after Hurricane Isaias?

A hurricane damage expert witness gives attorneys a technical opinion, in a disputed loss, on what caused building damage, such as wind versus surge and flood, or storm versus pre-existing wear. After Hurricane Isaias, Justen Newton puts findings and reasoning in writing. He is HAAG Commercial Certified and is not an attorney.

Are you an attorney?

No. I assess buildings, not law. I give technical opinions on causation and condition.

What credentials do you hold?

HAAG Commercial Certified, with 17 years in the roofing industry.

Will your opinion support my side?

I cannot promise that. My opinion follows the evidence.

What questions does a hurricane damage expert answer?

Wind or surge and flood: what damage was done by wind and what by water. Storm or pre-existing: what is storm-caused and what is age, wear or earlier damage. How a roof or wall assembly failed. Technical description of the physical damage in building terms (not a repair scope, estimate or bid).

Why does Hurricane Isaias raise wind-versus-water questions?

Reporting described wind, rain and storm surge for the Panhandle. Source: The Guardian Yale Climate Connections described a broad wind field with surge pushed far east of the landfall center, so different stretches of coast saw different mixes of wind and water. Source: Yale Climate Connections

Do you give legal or coverage opinions?

No. I do not give legal advice or interpret policy language. I do not adjust claims or negotiate on anyone’s behalf. I assess buildings, not law. Coverage questions go to your insurer, the Florida Department of Financial Services consumer helpline, or an attorney.

Safety first, always

Do not climb a damaged roof. Stay clear of downed power lines, standing water and unstable structures, and follow guidance from local officials and FEMA.

For commercial owners in Florida I document damage, and in disputes I give technical opinions. Coverage questions go to your insurer, the Florida Department of Financial Services consumer helpline, or an attorney. I am not an attorney.

All Hurricane Isaias pages

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Send a note or request commercial documentation

What you are seeing and where. Have photos? Email them to contact@justennewton.com after you send this.

This sends your note to Justen Newton. For homes and condos it is a conversation, not a documentation or repair service. For commercial buildings it is a documentation request, not a repair estimate. Privacy: privacy notice.

Talk to Justen

On the ground in the Florida Panhandle. Call 239-791-0646 or email contact@justennewton.com; calls and emails go to me directly.

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