storms News

El Nino Indicators Ease; Still Expected in Late 2012

Climate indicators for an El NiƱo event in the western Pacific have eased slightly in the past two weeks, but meteorologists still expect the weather pattern, which can bring drought to the Asia-Pacific and damage crops, to form late in …

June’s Severe Weather Losses Near $2 Billion in U.S.: Aon Benfield

U.S. severe weather insurance losses were close to $2 billion in June, according to Aon Benfield’s Global Catastrophe Report. Published by Aon’s Impact Forecasting, the report analyzes the natural disaster events that occurred across the United States and worldwide during …

Ohio Storm Victims Could Get Interest Rate Reduction

Small business owners, farmers and other Ohioans affected by severe weather this weekend might be eligible for interest rate reductions on loans to recover or rebuild from the storm damage. Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel said he’s made $25 million available …

Federal Emergency Declared in Ohio after Weekend Storms

Severe storms struck Ohio over the weekend with powerful, damaging winds that one utility compared to the remnants of Hurricane Ike in 2008, prompting Gov. John Kasich to declare a state of emergency and call out the National Guard. Kasich …

Aon Benfield May Cat Report Highlights Italian Quakes; $6 Billion Econ. Loss

Aon Benfield, the global reinsurance intermediary and capital advisor of Aon plc, has released its latest edition of its Global Catastrophe Recap report, which reviews the natural disaster perils that occurred worldwide during the month of May. Published by Impact …

3 Dead After Strong Storm in Southern Missouri

A man and his two adult sons died when a sudden, powerful storm slammed into a mobile home in southeast Missouri, officials said as weather officials began to investigate if the damage was caused by a tornado or straight line …

Conn. Senate Passes Anti-Price-Gouging Bill to Help Homeowners

The Connecticut Senate has voted to expand consumer protections from price gouging during major storms, such as the freak October snow storm that hit the state last year. Senators voted 33-to-3 Wednesday in favor of the bill, which prohibits “unconscionably …

Oklahoma Governor Declares State of Emergency in 12 Counties

Governor Mary Fallin has declared a State of Emergency for 12 Oklahoma counties due to tornadoes, severe storms, straight line winds and flooding that began on April 13. The counties included in the declaration are: Alfalfa, Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland, Ellis, …

Oklahoma Bill Limits Liability for Public Facilities Used as Shelters

A bill to protect public buildings used as shelters during natural disasters from liability claims has been signed into law. Senate Bill 1316, by Sen. Ron Justice and Rep. Fred Jordan, modifies the Governmental Tort Claims Act by adding an …

United Fire Says Losses from Storms May Be in $13M to $16M Range

United Fire Group Inc., headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, announced that it expects its first-quarter results through March to include pre-tax catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance, of approximately $13 million to $16 million. These losses are the result of several …