Hurricane Irene News

S&P Sees Limited Impact on Insurers from Irene

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said it expects a somewhat limited impact from Hurricane Irene on U.S. property/casualty insurers and global reinsurers, based on preliminary insured loss estimates. “We do not believe that the magnitude of this event is such …

North Carolina’s Hickory Point: Small Towns, Big Floods

For Mavis Powers, a lifetime of work and keepsakes were washed away when Hurricane Irene drove a 13-foot storm surge up Muddy Creek and through her home. The 77-year-old doll maker and collector held her head Sunday as she assessed …

Tobacco, Poultry Among North Carolina Farm Losses from Irene

North Carolina farmers felt the financial weight of Hurricane Irene’s winds and heavy rains Sunday as inspections following the storm revealed damage to field crops, poultry and other agricultural businesses. State political and agricultural leaders touring eastern North Carolina the …

With FEMA Running Low on Funds, Irene Revives Budget Battle

Washington’s never-ending budget battle threatened to snarl the recovery from Hurricane Irene as a top Republican said Monday that any federal aid will have to be offset by spending cuts elsewhere. “Yes there’s a federal role, yes we’re going to …

Irene Blamed for 38 Deaths; $20 Billion Economic Loss; Worst Flooding in Decades

New Jersey and Vermont struggled with their worst flooding in decades Monday, a day after Hurricane Irene slammed an already soaked U.S. Northeast with torrential rain, dragging away homes and submerging neighborhoods underwater. The massive storm churned up the U.S. …

Vermont Flooding from Irene Take Its Toll: 3 Lives; Homes, Businesses Destroyed

Vermont residents surveyed washed out roads, swept-away bridges and destroyed homes and businesses Monday after a weakened Hurricane Irene brought the state’s worst flooding in 80 years. Three people were killed in flooding kicked off by the storm’s heavy rains …

Irene Insured Losses in U.S. at $3-$6 Billion; P/C Pricing Unlikely to Turn

Hurricane Irene caused $3 billion to $6 billion in insured losses, catastrophe modeling company AIR Worldwide said Monday, affirming the insurance industry’s suspicion the impact was not as bad as feared. In the days leading up to Irene, some had …

Irene Inflicts Only Minor Damage in South Carolina

Hurricane Irene spun away from South Carolina on Saturday, leaving behind only minor damage and residents breathing a sigh of relief. The storm came closest to South Carolina early Saturday, a few hours before it made landfall at Cape Lookout, …

Irene Insured Losses Significant But Figures Still Uncertain

Hurricane Irene is expected to have caused substantial property losses, though figures are still hard to come by because of uncertainty about wind damage, catastrophe modeling company Eqecat said Monday. The storm may have been something of a worst-case scenario …

Vermont Battles Extensive Flooding Following Irene

Vermont residents battled epic flooding Monday after the remnants of Hurricane Irene set off the state’s worst flooding in nearly 40 years, washing out roads and knocking out power. At least one person was killed after being swept into a …