NU Online News Service, Sept. 23, 12:09 p.m.EDT

Catastrophe modeler AIR Worldwide says it expects between $150million and $600 million in insured losses from Typhoon Roke, whichcrossed over Japan's main island, Honshu, earlier this week.

AIR says the estimate is similar to its estimate for Typhoon Talas, but the firm says the storms are different froma meteorological perspective. Losses from Roke, AIR notes, aremitigated by how quickly the storm moved over Honshu, passingacross the island in just 12 hours.

The most readily available damage reports are fromtyphoon-induced flooding, AIR says, with the latest informationfrom the Japan Fire and Disaster Management Agency's (FDMA)suggesting that roughly 550 homes have experienced inundation abovethe first-floor level and more than 1,160 homes have experiencedinundation below the first floor.

AIR notes that flood damage in Japan is not automaticallyincluded in wind policies.

Yesterday, AIR said that, in the countryside along affectedareas, wood frame homes dominate residential construction, and manyhave heavy, clay-tile roofs meant to prevent damage from wind. AIRexpects minor roof damage and little or no structural damage tothese homes, and to larger multi-family apartment buildings andcommercial and industrial structures. Modern urban structures aresimilarly expected to withstand Roke's wind speeds with minimaldamage, as Japan has strict and well-enforced construction codes,AIR says.

Risk Management Solutions, citing the Japan MeteorologicalAgency (JMA) and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), saidyesterday that Roke passed 30 miles to the northwest of theJapanese capital, Tokyo, with winds at tropical-storm strength,though there are few damage reports from Tokyo. Roke continued totrack northeast beyond Tokyo, which saw the system impact areasthat were affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

According to the Associated Press, officials at the FukushimaDaiichi nuclear power plant say the storm did not affect thefacility. Concerns had been raised that the storm could have an impact.