Hurricane Harvey News

Developers Built Homes Inside Houston’s Reservoirs. But No One Warned Buyers.

Note: This story was originally published by the Texas Tribune and ProPublica. When Jeremy Boutor moved to a master-planned community in Houston’s booming energy corridor, he saw it as idyllic. Lakes on Eldridge boasted waterfalls, jogging trails and a clubhouse. …

Houston-Area Home Buyouts Part of Flood Mitigation Efforts

Officials decided Oct. 10 to proceed with two additional programs that would buy out more than 100 Houston-area homes that have repeatedly flooded in recent years, as the region continues its efforts to recover from Hurricane Harvey. The programs would …

XL Group Estimates $1.48B in Q3 Natural Catastrophe Losses

XL Group Ltd. announced its preliminary estimate of net losses of approximately $1.48 billion from third quarter natural catastrophes. Included within that figure is $1.33 billion in losses relating to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, the company said, noting that …

Texas Congressional Delegation Seeks Additional $19B in Federal Harvey Aid

The Texas congressional delegation has requested $19 billion to help the Lone Star State recover from Harvey, with both Republicans and Democrats teaming up behind a request to repair water projects and help homeowners and communities rebuild from the storm. …

Partner Re, RenRe & Third Point Re Estimate Q3 Natural Catastrophe Losses

Three more reinsurers released their initial loss estimates from third quarter natural catastrophes, which include Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and the Mexico City earthquake. PartnerRe Ltd. estimates combined catastrophe losses of approximately $475 million (pre-tax, net of retrocession and …

Hurricane Cars Declared ‘Total Losses’ by Adjusters Are Now Back on Roads

The ink on the “total loss” insurance paperwork, like the 2007 Range Rover itself, was still wet when Morgan Moran began trying to buy his vehicle back after Hurricane Matthew last year. The insurance adjuster had declared the vehicle ruined …

Trump Administration Seeks $29B in Hurricane Disaster Relief Funds

The Trump administration on Wednesday asked U.S. lawmakers to approve $29 billion in disaster relief funds to assist victims of recent hurricanes that hit Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. The aid request includes $12.8 billion in new funds to help …

Get Very Used to Drone Usage in the Insurance Industry

One major insurance carrier already has a program underway to train claims adjusters to visit accident sites and fly drones to gather data. American Family Insurance started working on developing a drone program around 2013, and the company now has …

Houston-Area Residents: Toxic Chemicals Found in Soil, Water After Plant Fire

Tests detected toxic substances in soil, water and ash samples taken miles from a chemical plant that flooded during Hurricane Harvey, caught fire and partially exploded, nearly 20 Houston-area residents said. The findings were disclosed Monday afternoon in a letter …

Shortcomings of Houston Fire Department Exposed by Harvey

Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena says he already sees where he could have done things differently during Hurricane Harvey, including calling in about 500 extra firefighters, as an internal review of his department’s response to the storm’s floods is underway. …