Latest Catastrophe Headlines
All the headlines from our Catastrophe Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Effective Wildfire Prevention Hampered by Liability, Weather, Development
Jun 1 2015 // Forest managers would prefer to use prescribed burns every few years to help prevent costly wildfires and rebuild unhealthy ecosystems, but hurdles like staffing, budget, liability and new development hinder them, a new...
Florida Insurance Rates Still High Despite Several Storm-Free Seasons
Jun 1 2015 // Living in a (semi)-tropical paradise has a price – and apparently, not even going nine years without a major hurricane strike will change that. While Florida’s property insurance market has stabilized somewhat...
The Rock Won’t Save You From Earthquakes; Retrofitting Might
May 29 2015 // It has been a big week for earthquake news in California. Hollywood gave us “San Andreas,” a thrill a minute dystopian drama starring Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) as a heroic flying firefighter and Paul Giamatti...
South Dakota Requests Disaster Declaration for Delmont Tornado
May 29 2015 // Gov. Dennis Daugaard has requested a presidential disaster declaration to help South Dakotans whose homes and businesses were damaged by the severe storm and tornado May 10 in Douglas and Charles Mix counties. The tornado...
Is This the End of Active Hurricane Era?
May 29 2015 // Colorado State University’s annual benchmark forecast for Atlantic hurricanes is unlikely to change significantly when it is updated June 1, according to CSU hurricane expert Phil Klotzbach, as the increasing...
It’s Time for Congress to Prepare for Hurricane Season
May 29 2015 // As thousands of Americans work to prepare their homes and businesses for the start of hurricane season on June 1, why isn’t Congress taking steps to get its own house in order? Members of Congress can’t stop...
Alberta Wildfires Burn for 6th Day, 10% of Oil Sands Crude Offline
May 29 2015 // Firefighters battled wildfires in northern Alberta, Canada’s biggest crude-producing region, for a sixth day on Thursday, with two blazes near oil sands facilities still out of control. The wildfires have forced...
Report: Florida Coastal Communities Rebuilt, Ready to Face Future Storms
May 29 2015 // Since eight hurricanes whipped through Florida during back-to-back seasons a decade ago, causing $33 billion in insurance claims, the state’s coastal communities have added an additional 1.5 million people and almost...
Rental Company Sues Kentucky County for Unpaid Bills from 2012 Tornado Recovery
May 28 2015 // An eastern Kentucky county ravaged by a 2012 tornado is being sued for nearly $1 million by a Lexington company that provided rented trailers, generators, all-terrain vehicles and other equipment after the deadly twister...
NOAA Predicts Quiet-ish Atlantic Hurricane Season
May 27 2015 // The U.S. Climate Prediction Center says the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season will likely be below-normal. But that’s no reason to believe coastal areas will have it easy, say the weather experts at the center, which is...
Wildfires in Northern Alberta Continue to Disrupt Oil Sands Production
May 27 2015 // Wildfires in northern Alberta kept about 10 percent of Canada’s oil sands production offline for a third day [on Tuesday] as Bank of America Corp. warned the blazes may slow the economy. A fire at Cold Lake Weapons...
Aon’s Political Risk Map Highlights Western Countries Increased Terror Threats
May 27 2015 // “Risk levels are rising in Western economies due to the increased terror threat presented by Islamic extremists” according to the Aon Terrorism and Political Violence Map, released by Aon Risk Solutions, the...
Clean Up Underway for Mississippi County Hit by Tornado
May 27 2015 // A little more than four years after a powerful tornado destroyed most of Smithville, Miss., Monroe County residents are cleaning up from another twister. Monroe County Emergency Management Agency Director Robert...
For P/C Insurers, 2014 Was Better Than Average Year
May 26 2015 // Analysts who predicted the U.S. property/casualty industry would have a tough time topping its 2013 results in 2014 were largely correct as there was some slippage. However, while property/casualty insurers were not as...
Hurricane Protection System for New Orleans Tested by Army Corps
May 22 2015 // With hurricane season approaching, the Army Corps of Engineers is running through its plans to better protect New Orleans from flooding and testing pumps and floodgates built around this low-lying metropolis since...
Arizona Wildfire Season Delayed by Cool, Wet Weather
May 22 2015 // An unusually cool and wet May is delaying the start of the wildfire season around northern Arizona. Weather conditions at this time last year were hot and windy, frustrating firefighters battling what became a...
Dry Conditions Have Alaska Wildfire Responders Keeping Eye Out
May 22 2015 // Interior Alaska and other parts of the state are experiencing conditions ripe for forest fires and natural resources officials are urging caution in outdoor activities heading into Memorial Day Weekend. Information officer...
South Dakota Officials Assess Delmont-Area Tornado Damage
May 21 2015 // South Dakota and federal officials this week were assessing tornado damage to homes and businesses in Charles Mix and Douglas counties, including the town of Delmont. Officials say the preliminary assessment is the first...
Oklahoma Governor Seeks Federal Disaster Assistance Following Tornadoes
May 21 2015 // Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has requested federal disaster assistance for Cleveland, Grady and Oklahoma counties following tornadoes, severe storms and flooding in recent weeks. Fallin sent a letter to President Barack Obama...
Tornadoes Strike North Texas, Some Damage Reported
May 21 2015 // Tornadoes roared across North Texas, spreading widespread damage but leaving no immediate reports of injuries. What storm spotters reported as at least one tornado inflicted heavy damage late Tuesday night to houses and...
