“When you're finding bodies, it's just a little tough on guys who've never seen a disaster like that,” he continued. In addition to the bodies of those who did not survive the flooding, adjusters had to contend with snakes, mold, muddy silt infused with oil, eaves and roofs rotting from water damage, and decaying food stuffs trapped in overturned refrigerators for weeks.

Restoring a sense of normalcy to the area will be a long process. Victims and insurance officials are questioning the precise cause of the flooding and insurers' coverage decisions. Many residents of New Orleans were uninsured, and others are torn between rebuilding and relocating.

One of the destroyed residences housed four generations of the same family, said Tom Benoit, chairman and CEO of Catastrophe Management Consultants. “They had no insurance, and the house was paid for 30 years ago,” he said. “Where are these people going to go? You can't build a house for $8,000 any more.”

Benoit said that he was surprised at the chaos that was still evident months after Katrina made landfall. He attributes that, in part, to the number of hurricanes last season. “The insurance companies are stretched thin,” he said. “The restoration and clean-up contractors, they're running thin. They only have so much equipment and they only have so much manpower. These poor guys are doing a ping-pong match between Florida and Texas, back and forth, back and forth, every two weeks.”

The active hurricane season of 2004 damaged nearly one in five Florida residences. By the onset of the 2005 season, many homeowners were still awaiting roofers and many adjusters were still bivouacked in Florida. Given the devastation wrought by last season's hurricanes, and the forecasts of more above-average storm activity for this year, it's unclear whether those who work the nation's catastrophes will be able to spend Christmas 2006 at home.

Louisiana Passes Building Code

In the aftermath of a disastrous hurricane season, Louisiana legislators approved a bill establishing a statewide, uniform building code for homes and businesses. The new code applies to buildings rebuilt in the wakes of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and to all buildings built or rebuilt statewide starting in 2007. The bill also creates a 19-member Uniform Construction Code Council.

The American Insurance Association commended the action. “Passage of this measure is absolutely critical to limiting future hurricane destruction and to helping spur redevelopment in Louisiana,” said John Marlow, AIA assistant vice president, Southwest Region.

Federal Agents Target Fraud

Teams of special agents from at least 10 federal government agencies have been dispatched to investigate fraudulent hurricane claims. “Through computer databases, informant tips, and hotline tips, we are receiving information of fraudulent claims,” said Richard J. Skinner, Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security, which includes FEMA.

“Those who have made such claims, whether to the Federal Emergency Management Agency or any other government entity, should take stock in their situation and seriously consider withdrawing their claims or voluntarily returning monies already disbursed to them.”

False disaster claims or theft of government property are felonies carrying maximum penalties of 10 years imprisonment or $250,000 fines, or both.

Anyone can make an anonymous report by calling the toll-free hotline, 866-720-5721. Information also may be e-mailed to the inspector general at [email protected] or posted, with as many details as possible, to the Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528, Attn: Office of Inspector General. The Department of Justice Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force and Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center also will accept disaster fraud information (www.ic3.gov), as will the Federal Trade Commission, 877-382-4357.

Insurance Industry Hurricane Center

In response to the hurricanes and the number of claims that they generated, the insurance industry has established the Hurricane Insurance Information Center in Jackson, Miss. The HIIC's mission will be to conduct an active consumer outreach program in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

In addition, claim-filing tips and general information on insurance coverages are available at www.disasterinformation.org. The web site also provides contact information for insurers, government agencies, and other sources of assistance.