Catastrophe & Restoration

Flooding in China last month caused about $33 billion in economic losses, with less than 2 percent of the sum covered by insurers, Aon Plc said.

Tropical Storm Earl will continue to weaken as it crosses Belize after coming ashore early Thursday with drenching rains and hurricane-strength winds.

Hail, thunderstorms and flooding affect much of the country.

A firefighter was killed trying to extinguish the blaze on Flight 521, but all 300 people on board escaped unharmed.

Tropical Storm Earl, forecast to grow into a hurricane, may just graze Mexicos oil-rich Bay of Campeche as it heads west toward the Honduras Bay Islands before making landfall in Belize within the next 24 hours.

Homebuyers have proven to be a stubborn bunch when it comes to building and buying homes in coastal areas.