The number of insurance claims reported to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation as a result of Hurricane Irma has now climbed to nearly a half million and total more than $3 billion dollars in damages.

The latest numbers released by OIR Thursday afternoon show 496,532 claims filed across the state totaling an estimated $3.07 billion.

Miami-Dade County leads the list with just over 55,000 claims filed.

Orange County is second with nearly 45,000 claims.  

While the Keys and Southwest Florida took direct hits from Irma, the storm’s strong winds and rain were felt across the state. The storm also produced tornadoes in some areas. The disparity in the number and location of the claims attests to the size and magnitude of Irma.

Broward County has the third highest number of claims filed with close to 39,000, followed by Lee and Polk counties with approximately 34,000 each, and Collier County with 30,000.

State insurance officials say the number of claims will likely continue to climb given that Florida is still early in the claims process. Residents in some areas were initially kept from returning to their homes because of the destruction which could have caused delays in claims being filed.

For instance, Monroe County, where Irma first made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, 12,000 have been filed. That number could likely grow as residents return to their homes and assess the damages.

For a county-by-county breakdown on the number of claims filed, click here.