At press time, weather experts determined the storm system had spawned more than 60 tornadoes, including two of the most powerful November tornadoes that far north for more than 100 years. The outbreak would go down as the most significant day of tornadoes in 2013.

“Primarily in November tornadoes that far north just do not happen,” explained Kevin Roth, lead meteorologist at The Weather Channel. “We usually have one outbreak like this every 10 years or so, but primarily south of the Ohio River.”

Roth added the last time tornadoes of comparable strength hit the area this late in the season was Nov. 11 and 12 in 1911, when a cold front moved into the Great Lakes, causing one EF4 tornado and nine deaths.

One of the two EF4 tornadoes recorded in Nov. 2013 devastated large swaths of Washington, Ill., a town of 16,000 people some 140 miles from Chicago. Clocking wind speeds as fast as 200 miles per hour, the twister verged on EF5 territory. Authorities the next day would also double their initial loss estimate to 1,000 homes either severely damaged or destroyed in the storm. In its initial loss estimate, Risk Management Solutions (RMS) told Reuters that property damage across the region might reach $1 billion, with the most extensive devastation in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri.

Let me say that it seems almost miraculous that direct physical trauma to humans was largely minimized, given that a string of powerful thunderstorms and tornadoes howled across a whopping 12 states, crushing entire neighborhoods in just minutes. This is arguably a testament to some uncannily accurate forecasting (a stark contrast to the hurricane predictions of late, eh CSU?) and improved safety and communication protocols, including warnings disseminated via Twitter and other outlets.

Of course, the story—and nightmare for many insureds and carriers—has only just begun. I imagine in the weeks and months to come, news of other, for lack of a better term “little miracles” will trickle in, with claims adjusters leading the way and doing that other thing they do best—helping rebuild lives and instill hope. May this holiday season keep them all safe and warm, and may the New Year bring them solace. Take care.