Floods News

Extreme Weather Sends Insured Losses 70% Above Historical Norms

Natural catastrophes caused about $62 billion of insured losses in the first half of 2024 — roughly 70% above the 10-year average — as extreme wildfires, droughts and floods upend historical norms. The data, which were compiled by Munich Re, …

South Africa Races to Contain Oil Spill From Wrecked Cargo Ship

South Africa dispatched crews to contain an oil spill from a cargo vessel that ran aground earlier this month because of extreme weather conditions. Strong waves eroded the hull of the 125-meter (410-foot) MV Ultra Galaxy, which beached at Brand …

Insured Losses for Floods in Southern Germany Estimated at €1.6B: PERILS

The recent floods in southern Germany will cost insurers an estimated €1.568 billion (US$1.7 billion), according to PERILS, the independent Zurich-based organization that provides industry-wide catastrophe insurance data. The floods, which hit southern Germany during the period of May 31 …

Islamic Insurance Helps Cover Muslim Farmers Battling Climate Change

On his four and a half acres of land in central Pakistan, Izhar ul-Haq approaches farming as a science. He knows the precise acidity of the soil and the exact amount of brackish groundwater his crops can tolerate if mixed …

South Africa Storms in Western Cape Cause Damage to 35,000 Homes

Storms that pounded South Africa’s Western Cape province have led to flood damage affecting more than 35,000 households in the city of Cape Town, Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said. “We’ve got more than 35,000 families in the city who have …

FEMA Is Ready for Hurricane and Wildfire Seasons, but Money a Concern

The head of the Homeland Security Department said Friday that the agency tasked with responding to disasters across the country is prepared as it goes into what is expected to be an intense hurricane and wildfire season but he’s concerned …

Europe Braces for Heat Following Greek Fires and Swiss Floods

European capitals are bracing for heat wave conditions, following wildfires in Greece and flooding in Switzerland over the weekend. High pressure over southern Scandinavian will bring the highest temperatures this year to the UK, with London and parts of the …

Southern Germany Floods to Cost Insurers $2.6 Billion-$3.9 Billion: Verisk

Estimated insured losses from flooding, which hit Southern Germany on May 15-June 5, will range from €2.4 billion (US$2.6 billion) to €3.6 billion (US$3.9 billion), according to Verisk, the data analytics and technology firm. Moody’s RMS recently estimated insured losses …

The Era of Super-Wild Weather Is Already Here

Wildfires in Canada that burned continuously for over a year. Floods that brought Dubai to a standstill. Deadly heat blanketing the streets of New Delhi. The first half of 2024 has laid bare the catastrophic extremes that now characterize the …

Insured Flood Losses in Germany Could Range From US$2.1B to US$3.2B: Moody’s RMS

Insured losses from floods that hit Central Europe between Thursday, May 30 and Monday, June 3 will likely fall within the range of €2 billion to €3 billion (US$2.1 billion to US$3.2 billion), according to Moody’s RMS Event Response. The …