Disaster (Flood,Coastal,EQ,W-Fire,etc.) News

Forecasters Predict Active Hurricane Season

Meteorologists are predicting an active 2010 hurricane season with above-normal threats on the U.S. coastline. Hurricane Forecaster Joe Bastardi, with the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center, said Wednesday that he predicts seven landfalls. Five will be hurricanes and two or three of …

Strong Quake Rocks Central Japan

A strong earthquake hit off the eastern coast of central Japan on Sunday, rattling buildings across a broad swath of the country, including the crowded Tokyo capital. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, and the government said …

Windstorm Xynthia Losses Near $2 Billion: EQECAT Update

RenRe Gives no Quake, Storm Loss Figures, But They May be ‘Significant’

Bermuda-based RenaissanceRe Holdings announced that based on its initial assessment, the “impact of the Chilean earthquake and windstorm Xynthia on its financial results (net of reinstatement premiums, retrocessional recoveries and non-controlling interest) will be significant and could be material.” The …

Chile’s Mines and Refineries Escape Damage from Aftershocks

Chile’s mining and refinery sectors escaped damage Thursday as a series of powerful aftershocks rocked the world’s largest copper producer in the wake of one of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded. Chile’s Codelco and global miner Anglo American said all …

As Weather Warms, Property Owners Urged to Buy Flood Insurance

Having flood insurance will be increasingly important this year as spring rain combines in many parts of the U.S. with the melting of record snowfall, according to the Insurance Information Institute. “Many states on the Atlantic seaboard were hit with …

CatCoverage.com Offers Alternative to Federal Flood Insurance

The Natural Catastrophe Insurance Program (NCIP), available at www.CatCoverage.com, says it is providing an online alternative to the National Flood Insurance Program for agents, brokers and property owners. This Web-based program offers primary layer insurance for the perils of landslides, …

Everest Re Estimates Chile Quake Loss at $225 Million; Xynthia $25 Million

The Bermuda-based Everest Re Group announced that its preliminary loss estimate for exposures relating to the earthquake in Chile is $225 million. It also estimated its loss for expected claims from European Windstorm Xynthia to be approximately $25 million. “Both …

Powerful Tornadoes in Arkansas Damage Homes; Injuries Reported

Three powerful tornadoes touched down in Arkansas on March 10, damaging homes and injuring at least four people, Risk Management Solutions (RMS) has reported. According to National Weather Service, the first of the three tornadoes occurred on March 10 at …

Aftershocks Rattle Chile, as New President is Sworn In; RMS Analysis

Sebastian Pinera’s inauguration as Chile’s new president was accompanied by a blunt reminder of the peril the country faces from earthquakes as two large aftershocks struck just before the ceremony According to a preliminary analysis from Risk Management Solutions a …