An outbreak of severe weather in the U.S. Southeast means manyclaim adjusters are on their way to the area to begin estimatingthe damages. Guy Carpenter's Instrat unit, which provides updateson major catastrophes that are likely to incur a significant lossto the insurance industry, summarized the disaster in a reportreleased late last week:

At least 17 people were killed and a number of homes andbusinesses were damaged after powerful storms, including up to 30tornadoes, swept through the southeastern U.S. yesterday, accordingto reports. The U.S. Storm Prediction Center had earlier issued arare "major severe weather outbreak" warning for the region. Thestates of Alabama, Georgia and Missouri were badly hit by thesevere weather, prompting officials to declare states of emergency.Tens of thousands of homes and businesses lost power at the heightof 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 ofthunderstorms and snowstorms that stretched nearly 1,000 miles fromMinnesota to the Gulf Coast. Authorities in southeastern Alabamasaid the severe weather spawned a tornado that ripped through aschool building in the town of Enterprise, killing at least fivestudents.

The National Weather Service reported a swath of damage about200 yards wide in Enterprise, and television footage showeddestroyed buildings, smashed cars, uprooted trees, and downed powerlines. 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 ontostaff and students sheltering from the storm. Alabama Governor BobRiley has declared a state of emergency and sent 140 National Guardtroops to the town. He added that Enterprise has suffered major andwidespread damage. A curfew has been imposed in Enterprise to helpkeep roads clear for emergency workers, who are searching thedamaged buildings.

In Georgia, the storms swept through southwestern regions of thestate. The severe weather killed six people near the town of Newtonand destroyed several homes, emergency officials said. Elsewhere inGeorgia, at least two people were killed and an unknown numberinjured when a tornado roared through the town of Americus. Thetwister also slammed into the city's hospital, Sumter RegionalMedical Center, destroying its fleet of ambulances and shutting thehospital down after staff treated patients in the immediateaftermath of the storm. Reports also said an American Red Crossbuilding was destroyed in Americus.

Missouri was also badly hit as a suspected tornado touched downat least twice in southern areas, leaving one person dead and fourinjured, according to emergency officials. Police in Howell Countysaid a girl and four members of her family were injured when thetornado flattened their mobile home in the town of Caulfield. Thetornado also destroyed a petrol station, damaged homes, and toppledtrees and power lines, reports said.

The severe weather also affected Arkansas and Kansas, damaginghouses, mobile homes and service stations, reports said.

This report was reprinted with permission. For more CAT-ireports and further information on the service, go towww.guycarp.com.

Sources: Associated Press, CNN News, Agence France Presse,Reuters News, BBC News

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