NU Online News Service, July 1, 12:00 p.m. EDT
Hurricane Alex became the first Category 2 hurricane to hit land in the month of June in more than 40 years, but its effect on the U.S. was minimal, according to a catastrophe modeler.
Alex made landfall on Thursday along the northeast coast of Mexico about 160 miles south of Brownsville, Texas--causing little damage to the residents of the Lone Star State, according to its leading property insurer and a local trade association.
The hurricane is not considered a major event in Texas, although the storm did carry sustained winds of 105 mph, extending outward up to 70 miles, according to catastrophe modeler Risk Management Solutions (RMS).
"It's a rainfall event in Texas," said State Farm spokesman Kevin Davis. "Winds didn't really reach dangerous levels--definitely not hurricane force. I'm sure we'll get some claims but we are fortunate in terms of the way it turned out."
Mark Hanna of the Insurance Council of Texas said Hurricane Alex produced winds of tropical storm force in the state but "they can get that with a strong thunderstorm down there."
The first hurricane of the season also spawned several tornadoes in Texas, which were classified as "hit-and-run twisters" by Mr. Hanna. The tornadoes are said to have caused minimal damage, he added.
RMS said there have been few reports of severe damage from Alex, but there is some flooding in Mexico and southern Texas.
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