Latest Natural Disasters Headlines
All the headlines from our Natural Disasters Topic Page, ordered by recency.
California Wildfires, Hurricane Michael Top List of 2018’s Costliest Natural Disasters: Munich Re
Jan 21 2019 // The costliest natural catastrophes occurred in the United States in 2018 with one of California’s devastating wildfires and Hurricane Michael topping the list, according to Munich Re. A report from Munich Re on last...
Wildfires, Dynamex Dominate California Wholesaler Conference
Jan 21 2019 // Wildfires and the Dynamex decision dominated discussions at an insurance wholesaler conference in early January. The California Wholesaler Association conference in La Jolla, Calif., from Jan. 6 to Jan. 8 featured numerous...
For New Governors, Natural Disasters Will Be Necessary Priority
Jan 21 2019 // Even Governors Skeptical of Climate Change Can’t Avoid Need to Plan for Future Storms, Fires Governors have a range of priorities they want to tackle in the coming year, from tax reform to education. Yet, one topic...
3.7M Earthquake Hits Northern California
Jan 17 2019 // The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed a 3.7 preliminary magnitude earthquake rattled the small city of Piedmont in northern California. The USGS says the tremor occurred on Wednesday at 4:42 a.m. The impacts of the...
4.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Oklahoma
Jan 16 2019 // Officials say there are no reports of damage after a 4.2 magnitude earthquake struck northern Oklahoma on Tuesday morning. The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake was centered near Hayward, or about 50 miles north of...
Multiple Smaller Natural Disasters in 2018 Created ‘Unusual’ Insured Loss Picture: Willis
Jan 16 2019 // Insured loss estimates from major natural catastrophes in 2018 totaled roughly $71.5 billion, the highest since 2011’s annual market losses of $120 billion, according to Willis Re. However, the insured losses in 2018...
Magnitude 3.6 Earthquake Shakes Part of Northern Oklahoma
Jan 15 2019 // The U.S. Geological Survey says an earthquake shook parts of northern Oklahoma early in the morning on Jan. 14. Geologists say the 3.6 magnitude earthquake was recorded at 2:20 a.m. Monday near Waukomis, about 80 miles...
‘Goat Fund Me’ Campaign Launched by California Town to Prevent Wildfires
Jan 14 2019 // The threat of catastrophic wildfires has driven a California town to launch a “Goat Fund Me” campaign to bring herds of goats to city-owned land to help clear brush. Nevada City in the Sierra Nevada began the...
PG&E Bankruptcy Looms With $30B in Potential Liabilities from California Wildfires; CEO to Exit
Jan 14 2019 // PG&E Corp. said it will file for bankruptcy in California after the cost of wildfires left it with potential liabilities of $30 billion or more, gutting its share price and prompting the departure of its chief...
Trump, California in Battle Over Wildfire Relief Funds
Jan 11 2019 // President Donald Trump threatened this week to withhold money to help California cope with wildfires after Gov. Gavin Newsom asked him to double the federal investment in forest management. Trump again suggested poor...
Judge Wants PG&E Power Restrictions for Next California Wildfire Season
Jan 10 2019 // A U.S. judge has proposed restricting utility PG&E Corp from using power lines deemed to be unsafe during high winds in the 2019 California fire season, adding another complication for the California utility as it...
California Governor Proposes $150M in Wildfire Investments, 911 Fee
Jan 10 2019 // California Gov. Gavin Newsom has pledged fresh investments to prevent, fight and escape wildfires, including millions to help local governments improve their communication during emergencies and a fee to fund an update for...
Texas Regulators Urge Flexibility in Claim/Dispute Deadlines for Windstorm Insurer
Jan 10 2019 // The Texas Department of Insurance in its 2018 Biennial Report to the legislature has recommended amending state law to permit more flexibility in time limits for handling and resolving claims and disputes brought to the...
Northern Oklahoma Shaken by 3.4 Magnitude Earthquake
Jan 9 2019 // The U.S. Geological Survey says a 3.4 magnitude earthquake has shaken parts of northern Oklahoma. Geologists say the temblor was recorded at 10:43 a.m. Monday less than 1 mile (1 kilometer) northeast of Medford near the...
Wildfires, Dynamex Dominate California Wholesaler Conference
Jan 8 2019 // Wildfires and the Dynamex decision. Those two topics dominated discussions at an insurance wholesaler conference this week. The California Wholesaler Association conference in La Jolla, Calif. from Sunday through today...
Florida Courts Bogged Down by New Gun Law, Hurricane Suits
Jan 8 2019 // Florida’s new gun law is keeping courts busy, and the state Supreme Court also says lawsuits over hurricane disputes could be on the rise. The Florida Supreme Court said Dec. 28 that 100 petitions a month have been...
California Wildfires, Hurricane Michael Top List of 2018’s Costliest Natural Disasters: Munich Re
Jan 8 2019 // The costliest natural catastrophes occurred in the United States in 2018 with one of California’s devastating wildfires and Hurricane Michael topping the list, according to Munich Re. A report from Munich Re on last...
Allstate, State Farm, USAA Sue California Utility Over Wildfires
Jan 8 2019 // Several insurance companies have filed lawsuits blaming Pacific Gas & Electric Co. for a deadly California wildfire that destroyed 14,000 homes and triggered billions of dollars in insurance claims. The lawsuits filed...
No Tornado Deaths in Oklahoma in 2018; First Time Since 2006
Jan 7 2019 // The National Weather Service says no one was killed in a tornado in Oklahoma in 2018, the first time that the state has not recorded a tornado-related death since 2006. The Oklahoman reports that just 41 tornadoes were...
Tropical Storm Pabuk Weakens After Battering South Thailand
Jan 7 2019 // Thailand’s most powerful tropical storm in decades has weakened after strong wind and flash floods disrupted oil production and flights, leaving thousands of tourists stranded near the nation’s southern...
