An outbreak of severe weather in the U.S. Southeast means many claim adjusters are on their way to the area to begin estimating the damages. Guy Carpenter's Instrat unit, which provides updates on major catastrophes that are likely to incur a significant loss to the insurance industry, summarized the disaster in a report released late last week:
At least 17 people were killed and a number of homes and businesses were damaged after powerful storms, including up to 30 tornadoes, swept through the southeastern U.S. yesterday, according to reports. The U.S. Storm Prediction Center had earlier issued a rare "major severe weather outbreak" warning for the region. The states of Alabama, Georgia and Missouri were badly hit by the severe weather, prompting officials to declare states of emergency. Tens of thousands of homes and businesses lost power at the height of the storm. The severe weather killed nine people in Georgia, seven in Alabama, and one in Missouri.
The burst of tornadoes was part of a larger line of thunderstorms and snowstorms that stretched nearly 1,000 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf Coast. Authorities in southeastern Alabama said the severe weather spawned a tornado that ripped through a school building in the town of Enterprise, killing at least five students.
The National Weather Service reported a swath of damage about 200 yards wide in Enterprise, and television footage showed destroyed buildings, smashed cars, uprooted trees, and downed power lines. Reports said at least 40 people were injured as the tornado, traveling at more than 50 miles per hour, swept through the town. Eyewitnesses said the roof and walls of the school collapsed onto staff and students sheltering from the storm. Alabama Governor Bob Riley has declared a state of emergency and sent 140 National Guard troops to the town. He added that Enterprise has suffered major and widespread damage. A curfew has been imposed in Enterprise to help keep roads clear for emergency workers, who are searching the damaged buildings.
In Georgia, the storms swept through southwestern regions of the state. The severe weather killed six people near the town of Newton and destroyed several homes, emergency officials said. Elsewhere in Georgia, at least two people were killed and an unknown number injured when a tornado roared through the town of Americus. The twister also slammed into the city's hospital, Sumter Regional Medical Center, destroying its fleet of ambulances and shutting the hospital down after staff treated patients in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Reports also said an American Red Cross building was destroyed in Americus.
Missouri was also badly hit as a suspected tornado touched down at least twice in southern areas, leaving one person dead and four injured, according to emergency officials. Police in Howell County said a girl and four members of her family were injured when the tornado flattened their mobile home in the town of Caulfield. The tornado also destroyed a petrol station, damaged homes, and toppled trees and power lines, reports said.
The severe weather also affected Arkansas and Kansas, damaging houses, mobile homes and service stations, reports said.
This report was reprinted with permission. For more CAT-i reports and further information on the service, go to www.guycarp.com.
Sources: Associated Press, CNN News, Agence France Presse, Reuters News, BBC News
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