Ohio’s Recent Windstorm Could Rival State’s Costliest at $600 Million

Ohio insurers say losses from last month’s windstorm will rival those from the state’s costliest natural disaster of recent decades.

The 1974 tornado that devastated the western Ohio city of Xenia caused about $600 million in damage, according to the Ohio Insurance Institute. The industry group says at least $553.1 million in insured losses were left by remnants of Hurricane Ike, which swept through the state on Sept. 14.

The institute says the windstorm is generating a record number of claims from Ohio home, vehicle and business owners. Twenty-four insurance companies that write policies in the state report they’ve received roughly 132,000 claims so far.

Insurers say most of the claims have come from the southern half of the state.