Latest Catastrophe Headlines
All the headlines from our Catastrophe Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Deadline for More Enhanced Hurricane Idalia Claims Data is Nov. 16
Nov 7 2023 // The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation wants property insurers to remember that another deadline for enhanced catastrophe reporting on Hurricane Idalia claims is Nov. 16. The OIR is required by law to collect a range...
As Acapulco Rebuilds After Hurricane Otis, Other Mexico Resorts Urged to Heed Lessons
Nov 6 2023 // Hurricane Otis not only devastated Acapulco, but also exposed fatal weaknesses in aging infrastructure, teaching hard lessons that coastal cities throughout Mexico must draw on. As Acapulco rebuilds after the deadly...
More SE Houses Being Built to Withstand Hurricanes – and Cut Emissions
Nov 6 2023 // When Hurricane Michael hit the Florida Panhandle five years ago, it left boats, cars and trucks piled up to the windows of Bonny Paulson`s home in the tiny coastal community of Mexico Beach, Florida, even though the house...
People Moves: Aspen Taps SiriusPoint’s Mardon as Global Head of Property Catastrophe; CNA Hardy Appoints Marsh’s Berman as Head of Specialty
Nov 3 2023 // This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Aspen Insurance Holdings and CNA Hardy. A summary of these new hires follows here. Aspen Taps SiriusPoint’s Mardon as Global Head of Property...
Southern California Wildfire That Prompted Evacuation Order Now 20% Contained
Nov 2 2023 // A wildfire fueled by Santa Ana winds that in southeast of Los Angeles, forcing about 4,000 people from their homes, has grown to 2,4897 acres and is now 20% contained. The Highland Fire started Monday afternoon in...
Hurricane Otis’ Impact on Mexico Insurance Industry Expected to Be ‘Controlled’: Fitch
Nov 2 2023 // Fitch Ratings expects Hurricane Otis’ effects on Mexico’s insurance industry to be controlled and within its current ratings expectations, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday. “Fitch Ratings...
Feeling the Strain of a Hurricane? Emergency Adjuster Licensing Can Help
Nov 2 2023 // This post is part of a series sponsored by AgentSync. Hurricane season is upon us once again, and while The Band of Heathens isn’t worried, the rest of us are preparing. So as homeowners brace for unprecedented winds...
Southern California Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Order for Thousands as Winds Fuel Flames
Nov 1 2023 // A wildfire fueled by Santa Ana winds ripped through rural land southeast of Los Angeles, forcing about 4,000 people from their homes, fire authorities said. The Highland Fire erupted at about 12:45 p.m. Monday in dry,...
Western Europe Braces for Worst Storm of Season With Hurricane-Strength Wind Gusts
Oct 31 2023 // Western Europe is bracing for the worst storm so far this season with hurricane-strength wind gusts and rain potentially disrupting travel and causing damage to buildings. Storm Ciaran will bring heavy rain and intense...
Magnitude 3.7 Earthquake Struck San Francisco Region
Oct 30 2023 // A magnitude 3.7 earthquake with its center at San Francisco`s international airport rattled the Bay Area Friday evening but there were no reports of damage. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the minor quake struck about...
Otis Likely to Be One of Costliest Hurricanes for Mexico Insurance Market: Gallagher Re
Oct 30 2023 // Hurricane Otis is expected to be one of the costliest natural catastrophe events in Mexico’s history with initial economic losses expected to top US$10 billion, according to Gallagher Re. Further, insured losses are...
Sentry in Wisconsin Contributes Another $350K to Support Maui Wildfire Recovery
Oct 27 2023 // Sentry Insurance in Wisconsin announced additional donations of $350,000 to bolster the ongoing Maui wildfire recovery efforts. The contribution brings the company’s total giving to Maui non-profits for direct...
Acapulco’s Economic Losses Seen at $15 Billion as Hurricane Otis Death Toll Rises
Oct 26 2023 // Hurricane Otis left a trail of destruction in Acapulco after tearing into the historic Mexican beach town with wind speeds of 165 miles (266 kilometers) per hour, smashing shops and wrecking apartment buildings and...
FEMA Raises Federal Cost Share to 90% of Eligible Hurricane Ian Recovery in Florida
Oct 26 2023 // The Federal Emergency Management Agency has raised the federal cost share for funding assistance, potentially making millions more dollars available to Florida authorities for Hurricane Ian recovery efforts in Florida, the...
Hurricane Otis Makes Landfall Near Acapulco as Category 5 Storm
Oct 25 2023 // Hurricane Otis made landfall near the tourist hotspot of Acapulco on Mexico’s Pacific Coast as a deadly Category 5 hurricane with winds capable of collapsing homes, ripping apart power lines and tossing trees. The...
Catastrophe Bond Market Headed for Major Surge in Issuance
Oct 25 2023 // The market for catastrophe bonds is one of this year’s best-performing debt classes. It’s also about to see a significant increase in sales as the World Bank, a major issuer, prepares to ratchet up its...
Forest Service Sued Over Flooding Deaths in Wake of Historic New Mexico Wildfire
Oct 25 2023 // Relatives of three people who died last year in a flash flood stemming from the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s recorded history are suing the U.S. Forest Service. The wrongful death lawsuit filed earlier this month...
Hurricanes Now Twice as Likely to Spin Up From Minor to Whopper, Study Says
Oct 23 2023 // With warmer oceans serving as fuel, Atlantic hurricanes are now more than twice as likely as before to rapidly intensify from wimpy minor hurricanes to powerful and catastrophic, a study said Thursday. Last month Hurricane...
Report: ‘Climate-Exacerbated Wildfires’ Cost U.S. $394B-$893B Each Year
Oct 23 2023 // “Climate-exacerbated wildfires” cost the nation $394 billion to $893 billion each year in economic costs and damages, according to a Congressional report out this week. The range combines estimates from...
Pacific and Atlantic Hurricanes Norma and Tammy Hit Mexico and Barbuda
Oct 23 2023 // Hurricane Norma came ashore near the Pacific resort of Los Cabos at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula on Saturday afternoon. Hours later, Hurricane Tammy made landfall on the Caribbean island of...
