natural disasters News

State Intelligence Report Highlights Threats to Texas

While organized crime is seen as the most significant public safety threat in Texas, drunk driving, natural disasters, terrorism, industrial accidents and cyber security also are among the major threats that keep lawmakers up at night. The Department of Public …

Coalition Pushing for New National Framework for Disasters

A coalition of national interests has introduced a framework intended to shape how the nation responds to natural disasters, or as one advocate of the framework described it, change the way governments and communities operate so they can “prespond to …

$1.1M Grant For Disaster Prep For Washington Schools

Washington education officials are using a $1.1 million federal grant to help schools prepare for natural disasters. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is working with 35 school districts across the state to develop a statewide emergency plan. …

Report Shows Increasing Concentrations of Insured Property Values in U.S.

Insured building values in the U.S. now exceed $40 trillion — including residential, commercial and industrial structures, according to a new report from catastrophe modeling firm Karen Clark & Co. When contents and time element exposures are added in, the …

Simulating Volcano Eruptions, One Blast at a Time

A voice carried across the treeless plateau: “Fire in the hole! The range is now active.” Two dozen people fell silent before a muffled blast sent a geyser-like shower of crushed gravel, limestone and asphalt roughly 50 feet in the …

Willis Exec: Industry Will Respond w/ ‘New Tools’ to Growing Disaster Risk

The insurance industry plays a pivotal role in integrating new tools, technology and solutions to protect populations and assets against growing concerns about natural disasters and, in the process, helps ensure a sustainable future, according to Rowan Douglas, CEO of …

State Auto Estimates Q1 Storm Impact Could Reach $21M

Ohio-based State Auto Financial Corp. has estimated first quarter 2012 results will include between $19 million and $21 million in pre-tax catastrophe losses. The company announced that the estimate reflects anticipated recoveries under the State Auto Group’s property catastrophe excess …

Lloyd’s CEO Ward on 2011 Loss: ‘Not a Bad Result’

At first glance that statement may seem a little strange, considering that Lloyd’s reported an overall loss for the year of £516 million ($822 million). But considering that overall  insured losses for the year from natural catastrophes were between $107 …

Plan Now for Climate-related Disasters Warns U.N. Report

A future on Earth of more extreme weather and rising seas will require better planning for natural disasters to save lives and limit deepening economic losses, the United Nations said on Wednesday in a major report on the effects of …

World Economic Forum Warns Economic, Social Turmoil Risk Globalization Gains

The latest report from the World Economic Forum highlights the “world’s vulnerability to further economic shocks and social upheavals.” Together they “risk undermining the progress that globalization has brought,” the report warns. The seventh edition of the Global Risks 2012 …