Latest Natural Disasters Headlines
All the headlines from our Natural Disasters Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Key subcommittee chairman favors six to eight-year terrorism insurance extension
May 7 2007 // Insurance industry pushes for longer period with some in favor of 20 years or more In his opening statement as chair of a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee considering extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act...
Tenn. Earthquake Commission to Begin Meeting Next Month
May 3 2007 // Tennessee’s first commission devoted to dealing with a major earthquake is scheduled to begin reviewing disaster preparations next month. The West Tennessee Seismic Safety Commission was established after concerns...
Fla. Renews Tax Break on Hurricane Prep Items
May 2 2007 // Flashlights, gasoline cans, weather radios and plastic tarps are among the storm preparedness items that will be available tax-free as hurricane season begins. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has signed a bill into law making...
R.I. Staging Massive Hurricane Response to Fake Hurricane Yvette
May 1 2007 // Rhode Island is prepping for the worst hurricane to ever crash into New England — on paper at least. About 250 federal emergency management officials plan to stage a response to the fictional “Hurricane...
Report: U.S. Turned Away Foreign Aid Offered After Hurricane Katrina
May 1 2007 // In the wake of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, the U.S. government failed to take advantage of millions of dollars in foreign aid from its allies, The Washington Post reported. The U.S. has collected about $126...
Additional Federal Funds Approved For Southeast Georgia Wildfires
Apr 30 2007 // Gov. Sonny Perdue said additional federal funds were authorized to assist in fighting the “Kneeknocker Fire” that has flared up again in Georgia’s Brantley County, just outside the city limits of...
Earthquake Hits Southeast England
Apr 30 2007 // A moderate earthquake rattled parts of southeast England Saturday morning, toppling chimneys from houses and rousing residents from their beds. Several thousand people were left without power after the quake in the county...
La. Hurricane Safe Rooms Fitted with Pump Automation Systems
Apr 26 2007 // Engineers in Jefferson Parish, La., said recent tests show flood pumps can be turned on automatically by workers holed up in nearby safe rooms during major hurricanes. When a major hurricane threatens the parish, pump...
Fireman’s Fund Expands Wildfire Protection Services in Calif.
Apr 19 2007 // Novato, Calif.-based Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. has expanded its territory and offerings with FireProtec, a vegetation cutting crew staffed by off-duty firefighters. Through the alliance, Fireman’s Fund said...
U.S. Approves Funds for Florida Tornado Victims
Apr 18 2007 // Federal officials have approved more than $17.7 million in payouts in connection with tornadoes that hit Florida last winter. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it also approved an additional $20.6 million in...
Tornado Losses in N.J., Conn., Ohio Could Top Those of Great Plains States
Apr 18 2007 // Most people associate tornado activity with the “Tornado Alley” of the Great Plains states. While this is true in terms of the sheer numbers of tornadoes and losses, surprisingly, catastrophe modeling shows...
Alabama Officials Prepare for Hurricane Season
Apr 17 2007 // Alabama Governor Bob Riley and state agency leaders huddled this week to review Alabama’s plans for the upcoming hurricane season, which begins June 1. The state leaders joined officials from FEMA, the U.S....
Engineer Testifies at Trial for La. Hurricane Suit Against Allstate
Apr 12 2007 // An engineer who testified at the trial for a Louisiana couple’s lawsuit against Allstate Insurance Co. said he wrote a report on the plaintiffs’ storm-damaged home without inspecting the property after...
Industry to Congress: Private Market Is the Best Solution on Natural Disasters, But Some Say Federal Help Needed
Apr 11 2007 // The private insurance marketplace, not the federal government, is the best vehicle to address coastal insurance issues and natural disasters in the U.S., according to insurers. Even so, the federal government can play a...
Solomon Disaster Exposes Earthquake Monitoring System Weaknesses
Apr 10 2007 // Two years before a deadly earthquake-triggered tsunami pummeled the Solomon Islands, scientist Fred Taylor’s request for U.S. funds to set up a Pacific seismic monitoring network was flatly rejected. Then there is...
Jury Selection Begins in La. Hurricane Lawsuit Against Allstate
Apr 10 2007 // After Hurricane Katrina demolished Robert and Merryl Weiss’ New Orleans-area home, they were paid hundred of thousands of dollars by their insurance company. But they say it isn’t enough. Jury selection began...
PREDICTING EARTHQUAKE LOSSES
Apr 9 2007 // The California Earthquake Authority is collaborating with the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Science Foundation on a new earthquake damage risk model to update the current model developed by risk modeling company...
New Mexico Insured Tornado Losses Estimated at $16.5 Million
Apr 6 2007 // Tornado and hail that tore across New Mexico in March has an estimated insurance price tage of $16.5 million, according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. The association said insurance adjusters have...
Claremont, Calif.’s $17.5 Million Deal with Homeowners in Wildfire Suit
Apr 5 2007 // Palmer Canyon, Calif., residents who blamed the city for homes burned in the 2003 Grand Prix wildfire have settled their lawsuit for $17.5 million, city officials announced. Homeowners claimed the city failed to properly...
Not All Gulf Coast Residents Put Stock in Latest Hurricane Forecast
Apr 5 2007 // A hurricane forecaster this week predicted a turbulent season this year, including a good chance one will hit the coast, but forgive South Carolina’s Huiet Paul if he was unimpressed. “Only the good Lord knows...
