Latest Catastrophe Headlines
All the headlines from our Catastrophe Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Sentry to Contribute $275K to Maui Wildfire Recovery
Aug 21 2023 // Sentry Insurance announced an initial contribution of $275,000 for immediate relief and recovery in response to the wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii and throughout Maui. Stevens Point, Wisconsin-based Sentry sponsors the...
3 Tropical Storms Churn Across Atlantic as Most Active Part of Hurricane Season Begins
Aug 21 2023 // Three tropical storms are currently churning across the Atlantic Ocean in a dazzling start to the most active part of hurricane season. Traditionally, the basin starts to spin up its most powerful storm after Aug. 20 with...
One Dead, 185 Structures Destroyed in Eastern Washington Wildfire
Aug 21 2023 // A wind-driven wildfire in eastern Washington state had destroyed at least 185 structures, closed a major highway and left one person dead over the weekend. The blaze began shortly after midday Friday on the west side of...
Rare New England Tornado Damages Homes, Floods Roads, Topples Trees
Aug 21 2023 // A rare Rhode Island tornado lifted a car off an interstate highway Friday as severe weather swept already storm-weary New England, damaging homes, flooding roads and toppling trees. Tornadoes were reported in several spots...
Hawaii Wildfires Killed at Least 111, Burned 2K-Plus Homes and Businesses
Aug 18 2023 // The Hawaii wildfires have killed at least 111 people with many still unaccounted for, and they have burned more than 2,000 burned homes and businesses. CNN reported that Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said it’s likely that...
Allstate Starts Q3 With $313M in Catastrophe Losses in July
Aug 18 2023 // Allstate Corp. said estimated catastrophe losses for the month of July were $313 million or $247 million, after-tax. July has 18 events, highlighted by widespread wind and hail storms, with estimated losses of about $349...
Raging Wildfires Prompt Evacuation of Northern Canadian City, Yellowknife
Aug 18 2023 // Wildfires have forced an evacuation of Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories. Officials with the territorial government told residents in the highest-risk areas to evacuate immediately. Other...
How Climate Change Drives Heatwaves and Wildfires in Europe
Aug 18 2023 // Europe is once again battling scorching temperatures this summer, with wildfires blazing across the continent from the Mediterranean to Spain. Here’s how climate change drives these events. HOTTER, MORE FREQUENT...
Hurricane Hilary Threatens Flooding Rain in California, Nevada and Arizona
Aug 17 2023 // AccuWeather meteorologists say Hurricane Hilary is anticipated to bring heavy rain, flash flooding and strong winds to parts of California, Nevada and Arizona. The meteorologists issued the forecast in a media alert that...
California-Oregon Wildfires Prompt Evacuation Orders
Aug 17 2023 // Growing fires near the California-Oregon border have prompted evacuation orders. A Siskiyou County wildfire, the Head Fire, started in the Klamath National Forest after a bout of thunderstorms and lightning. A social media...
Texas Governor Issues Widespread Disaster Declaration Due to Wildfires
Aug 15 2023 // Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a wildfire disaster declaration for about 75% of Texas counties, allowing them to use all available state resources to respond to any new fires as the state continues to bake under triple-digit...
What Sparks US Wildfires: Power Lines, Burning Trash and Lightning
Aug 15 2023 // The fast-moving fire that ripped through Maui’s historic town of Lahaina killed more than 90 people, making it the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation,...
Typhoon Lan Grounds Flights, Halts Trains as It Crosses Japan
Aug 15 2023 // Typhoon Lan reached the coast of central Japan early Tuesday, grounding flights and halting trains as residents braced for heavy rain, flooding and landslides. Known locally as Typhoon No. 7, the storm has been traversing...
Estimate of Losses From Devastating Hawaii Wildfires Increases to $14B-$16B
Aug 14 2023 // AccuWeather increased its estimate of the total damage and economic loss from the devastating wildfires burning in Hawaii to $14 to $16 billion. The update follows AccuWeather’s preliminary estimate last week of...
Japan Faces Another Typhoon With Trains, Hundreds of Flights Canceled
Aug 14 2023 // Japan is preparing for its second typhoon in a week, with airline companies canceling flights and rail operators halting some operations. Typhoon Lan is forecast to make landfall Tuesday in central Japan near Osaka, the...
NOAA Increases Prediction for Atlantic Hurricane Season to “Above-Normal”
Aug 11 2023 // The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is increasing its prediction for the ongoing 2023 Atlantic hurricane season to “above-normal” activity. Warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures across...
AccuWeather: Damage and Economic Loss from Wildfires in Hawaii $8B to $10B
Aug 10 2023 // AccuWeather’s preliminarily estimate of the total damage and economic loss from the wildfires burning in Hawaii is from $8 billion to 10 billion. The worst of the fires hit the Island of Maui, with the Lahaina area...
Liberty Mutual Posts Q2 Loss of $585M Driven By Catastrophes
Aug 10 2023 // Liberty Mutual Holding Co. reported a second-quarter net loss of $585 million, driven by catastrophe losses of about $2.27 billion. Tim Sweeney, president and CEO, said weather losses were primarily from widespread wind...
Catastrophe Bond Funds Ranked Among 2023’s Top-Performing Credit Funds
Aug 10 2023 // Catastrophe bond funds rank among the 10 best performing credit funds this year, as the hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters that could trigger payouts have either not happened or not been sufficiently severe. The...
Wind-Driven Hawaii Wildfire Destroying Maui Tourist Town
Aug 9 2023 // A wildfire erupted in Maui on Wednesday fueled by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, destroying homes and businesses in a tourist town and forcing some residents to jump into the ocean to escape the flames. The Associated...
