Latest Natural Disasters Headlines
All the headlines from our Natural Disasters Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Windstorm Ulli is Latest to Batter Northwest Europe; AIR Analysis
Jan 5 2012 // Catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide’s report on Windstorm Ulli notes that it is “passing through Scandinavia and is expected to dissipate as it moves over the Baltic Sea today. “A class 2 weather...
Earthquakes Prompt Record Insurance Claims in 2011
Jan 4 2012 // Insurance industry damage claims from natural disasters like the earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand reached a record $105 billion in 2011, Munich Re , the world’s biggest reinsurer, said on Wednesday. The cost to...
Kansas County Looking into Earthquake Insurance
Jan 3 2012 // Shawnee County, Kan., commissioners have authorized the county’s insurance broker to look into the cost of earthquake insurance. The topic came up at a recent commission briefing on new quotes for property,...
Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake Strikes off Japan Coast
Jan 3 2012 // A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 struck under the sea several hundred miles (kilometers) south of Japan on Sunday, shaking buildings in the capital, but officials said there was no danger of a...
Alabama Insurance Claims for Tornadoes Top $2 Billion
Jan 3 2012 // Insurers have paid at least $2.2 billion claims arising from the April tornado outbreak in Alabama, authorities said. More than 2,500 claims are still pending eight months after the storms, The Birmingham News...
Injection Wells Shut Down After 4.0 Earthquake in Ohio
Jan 3 2012 // Officials said they believe the latest earthquake activity in northeast Ohio is related to the injection of wastewater into the ground near a fault line, creating enough pressure to cause seismic activity. The brine...
Tornado Causes $1.8M Damage to Georgia Businesses
Jan 2 2012 // A week after a tornado struck northwest Georgia, an examination of damage has resulted in losses estimated at $1.82 million in the Rome area. Floyd County Emergency Management Agency Director Scotty Hancock said two-thirds...
Alaskan Volcano Put on Alert
Dec 30 2011 // An explosion at a volcano in Alaska caused the U.S. Geological Survey to put out an alert. USGS detected a drifting ash cloud at the Cleveland Volcano, which is on an uninhabited island in the east central Aleutian...
Scandinavia Hit Hard by Windstorm Dagmar AIR Reports
Dec 28 2011 // A report from catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide notes that Windstorm Dagmar has moved across Russia north of St. Petersburg and begun to dissipate. Its hurricane-force winds caused power outages, downed trees,...
New Orleans Hurricane Wall Creates Prime Fishing Spot
Dec 27 2011 // Anglers in the wetlands surrounding New Orleans never have to look very far to be reminded they are living the ultimate paradox: They are enjoying the nation’s most prolific coastal fishing in the midst of a terminal...
Uncommon December Tornado Hits Louisiana Hospital
Dec 22 2011 // An uncommon December tornado ripped off part of a hospital roof in a southwest Louisiana city, causing several patients to be evacuated, but no injuries. The National Weather Service said the weak tornado touched down at...
Alabama Tornado Survivors Sought for Interviews
Dec 21 2011 // Public health agencies are looking to interview survivors of the killer tornadoes that hit north and central Alabama on April 27. State Health Officer Don Williamson said the goal is to explore ways to lessen the loss of...
Hurricane Forecaster Delays 2012 Prediction Until Spring
Dec 20 2011 // Hurricane forecaster William Gray will wait until spring to predict how many storms will form in the Atlantic. Gray and his research partner at Colorado State University, Philip Klotzbach, usually start making predictions...
AIR Analyzes Tropical Storm Washi’s Impact on Philippine’s Mindanao
Dec 20 2011 // According to catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide, Tropical Storm Washi pummeled the northern part of the Philippine island of Mindanao late Thursday night. Heavy rainfall from Washi (locally called Sendong) lasted for...
Alabama Awaits Detail of Data Call from Windstorms
Dec 16 2011 // Regulators and consumer groups in Alabama are awaiting the results of a data call from insurers to see if they are quickly handling claims and resolving other residents’ claimants. Commissioner Jim Ridling issued the...
FEMA Expands Wildfires Declaration to 119 Texas Counties
Dec 16 2011 // The Federal Emergency Management Agency has expanded its wildfires disaster declaration area for Texas to include 119 counties. Gov. Rick Perry announced that FEMA has granted the state’s request to increase the...
Preparedness Stressed on 200th Anniversary of the New Madrid Earthquakes
Dec 15 2011 // On the 200th anniversary of the first tremors of the New Madrid earthquakes, which were several of the most powerful quakes the United States has ever experienced, an insurance industry-backed group is reminding consumers...
FEMA: Texas Wildfire Survivors Should Consider Flood Insurance
Dec 15 2011 // Flood protection might be the last concern of Texas wildfire survivors these days. Yet Texans — even those who live in areas not rated at high risk of flooding — should consider purchasing a flood insurance policy now,...
Connecticut Updates Underwriting Guidelines for Hurricane Deductible
Dec 12 2011 // Connecticut insurance department announced that it has updated its coastal underwriting guidelines to clarify when hurricane deductibles can be applied. The hurricane deductible issue has been in the spotlight in wake of...
Northern UK, Scotland Battered by Windstorm Friedhelm: AIR Analysis
Dec 12 2011 // According to catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide, a red alert was issued for winds in Scotland and the Northern UK by the Met Office. As a result, AIR said “widespread structural damage” was likely; flood...
