Latest Catastrophe Headlines
All the headlines from our Catastrophe Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Signs Around Los Angeles Beaches Warn of Tsunami Threat
Apr 20 2009 // Like many Californians who put down roots in earthquake country, Robin Rudisill knows the “Big One” could strike without warning. Yet from her Venice beachfront duplex, Rudisill worries about a different...
Moderate Earthquake Rattles Northwest China; No Injuries Reported
Apr 20 2009 // Chinese seismological authorities say a moderate earthquake registering a magnitude of 5.5 Sunday struck China’s far western Xinjiang region. No injuries were immediately reported. An official from the Xinjiang...
Forecaster WSI Reduces 2009 Season Hurricane Count to 6
Apr 20 2009 // The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season will produce 11 tropical storms, of which six will become hurricanes, WSI Corp predicted Monday. The Andover, Massachusetts, private forecaster reduced its forecast from the one it issued...
Oklahoma Wildfire Damage Estimates Increased to $30M
Apr 20 2009 // An Oklahoma insurance official says insured losses from recent wildfires that destroyed more than 100 structures in Oklahoma are expected to reach $30 million. Assistant Insurance Commissioner Marc Young says that figure...
<em>09.13.08, Hurricane Ike</em>: Must See TV
Apr 20 2009 // For Galveston, Texas, and nearby coastal areas, the recovery from Hurricane Ike, the massive storm that devastated the Texas coast on Sept. 13, 2008, has been a slow and painful process. Now, a powerful new documentary...
Timing Earthquake Coverage
Apr 20 2009 // Why Trying to Time Earthquake Coverage Purchase Is Like Trying to Time the Stock Market Ask anyone who has been impacted by the recent volatility of the stock market, and they will tell you that it’s almost...
The Weather Goblins
Apr 20 2009 // Who let the weather goblins out? Tornadoes, wildfires and floods, oh my! With all the weather related disasters out in full force this (and seemingly every) spring, there should be some kind of scary, Halloween-type...
Market Timing: A Faulty Strategy on Earthquake Coverage
Apr 20 2009 // Many Clients Buy Coverage When Earthquake Activity Arises, Then Cancel When It Subsides Ask anyone who has been affected by the recent volatility of the stock market, and they will tell you that it’s almost...
Hurricane Prediction Lowered
Apr 20 2009 // While lawmakers in coastal states debated property insurance rates and reforms, forecasters lowered their 2009 Atlantic forecast to 12 tropical storms, of which six could become hurricanes. The Colorado State University...
Cat 5 Litigation in the Forecast?
Apr 20 2009 // As 2008 Hurricane Claims Enter Court and New Season Approaches, Katrina Issues Linger The 2008 hurricane season was the sixth most active tropical storm season recorded since data collection began in 1851. Six storms made...
Windstorm Insurance Debate Begins in Texas, Finally
Apr 20 2009 // Texas legislators on April 7 finally jumped into debate over how to improve the troubled windstorm insurance system that serves as a last resort for hurricane protection along much of the Gulf Coast. The House Insurance...
The Weather Goblins
Apr 20 2009 // Who let the weather goblins out? Tornadoes, wildfires and floods, oh my! With all the weather related disasters out in full force this (and seemingly every) spring, there should be some kind of scary, Halloween-type...
It Figures
Apr 20 2009 // 1,000 Emergency management officials in Polk County, Ark., said about 1,000 homes were damaged or destroyed during the tornadoes that ripped through the county on April 9. James Reeves, Polk County emergency management...
It Figures
Apr 20 2009 // 12 Number of tropical storms Colorado State’s hurricane team estimates will occur in 2009. The research team said of those 12 storms, six could become hurricanes including two “major” hurricanes of...
Arizona’s Wildfire Season Poses Risks for Homeowners
Apr 20 2009 // As the drought in the Southwest worsens, the wildfire season in Arizona grows longer, burning more acreage and threatening private property in forested areas. “The Arizona State Forestry Division estimates more than...
Timing Earthquake Coverage
Apr 20 2009 // Timing an Earthquake Coverage Purchase Is Like Trying to Time the Stock Market Anyone who has been impacted by the recent volatility of the stock market will tell you that it’s impossible to time the stock...
Rates Rising on U.S. Property Catastrophe Reinsurance
Apr 20 2009 // A new industry briefing shows reinsurance rates continuing to increase for the U.S. property-catastrophe reinsurance market for April 1, 2009, renewals. According to Guy Carpenter & Co.’s “Rates Up on...
P/C Insurers Profitable in 2008 Despite Big Hits From Catastrophes, Financial Crisis
Apr 20 2009 // Property/casualty insurers remained profitable in 2008 despite taking hits from several catastrophes, the recession and the ongoing financial crisis. P/C insurers earned $2.4 billion in net income after taxes in 2008, but...
Improved Credit Markets Aid Shaky Florida Hurricane Insurance Fund
Apr 16 2009 // Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet received a bit of encouraging news this week about the state’s tenuous hurricane catastrophe fund. The head of the agency responsible for Florida’s investments told...
Texas AG Shuts Down Trio Targeting Hurricane Victims
Apr 16 2009 // Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has charged three men with operating an unlawful construction scheme that targeted Hurricane Ike victims. The AG’s lawsuit charges Benton R. Barber with operating several...
