Damage from "storms, tornadoes, flooding and heat waves" in the United States so far in 2011 adds up to an estimated $35 Billion or $35,000,000,000.00, says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This includes all Insured and Uninsured Loss estimates. This figure has the dubious distinction, as they say, of tying a record set in 2008. See Katharine Q. Seelye, "Year Packed With Weather Disasters Has Brought Economic Toll to Match" p. A13, col. 1 (New York Times Nat'l ed., Saturday, August 20, 2011).
The NOAA estimates do not include what has not yet happened, including Damages yet to come from Hurricanes for example.
"Normally, three or four weather disasters a year in the United States will cause at least $1 billion in damages each. This year, there were nine such disasters.... The disasters were responsible for at least 589 deaths, including 160 in May when tornadoes ripped through Joplin, Mo." Id. Regarding Catastrophe Claims, see generally John K. DiMugno, Steven Plitt, and Dennis J. Wall, "CATClaims: Insurance Coverage for Natural and Man-Made Disasters" (Thomson Reuters West, with 2011 Supplements).
These observations apply to a full calendar year for the most part, except as noted. This year is not over.
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