The massive explosion at a West, Texas fertilizer plant hascaused at least $100 million in insured losses to property.

Mark Hanna, spokesman of the Insurance Council of Texas, tellsPC360 from the small rural town of about 2,800 thatdamages include “concussion-type losses.”

That is, some homes look normal from the outside but havesuffered damage.

To illustrate the point, Hanna relays a conversation he had witha resident: “She had a can of beans on the kitchen counter and itexploded, but no windows of her house were broken.”

In other words, damages may take some time to assess becausethey may not immediately be noticed. The forces related tothe explosion may have affected structures and vehiclesdifferently than a tornado, for example, although the destructionhas been described as tornado-like.

The blast April 17 destroyed 75 homes, a middle school, anapartment building, and a retirement center. Insurance adjustersare on the scene assisting policyholders.

Hanna tells another story of a man and his 9-year-old sondriving between the apartment building and the retirement center.The truck drove 20 yards on two wheels when the blast occurred.Both were not seriously hurt but the truck was crumpled on one sideand is totaled.

“We're hearing a lot of strange stories related to the force ofthis blast,” says Hanna. “It's like visiting the site of a tornadoand hearing about straw going through wood. It's hard tobelieve.”

Hanna says the town is split in three sections. Residents ofzone 1, the farthest away from the explosion, have been allowedback to their homes. Zone 2 was just opened. The most affectedareas remain closed off.

Hanna reports the Red Cross says it is assisting about 180families, including those from the apartment complex. Many do nothave insurance.

Plaintiffs' attorneys are also in town, says Hanna.

Authorities at a news conference today say the cause of theblast remains under investigation. Possibly hundreds of tonsof ammonium nitrate was stored at the facility, a fertilizerretailer.

See also: Who the Heck Insured This Place?

It is not clear who insured the West Fertilizer Co. butPC360 has learned only a handful of carriers serving theagribusiness niche would take the risk. Independent agents handlingthe business would ask if ammonium nitrate was stored on thepremise. This would not preclude the facility from obtaininginsurance but it would trigger additional investigation by acarrier.

PC360 has also learned many facilities like this onehave stopped storing ammonium nitrate to avoid additionalregulation. Facilities that do store the volatile chemical compoundmust register with the Department of Homeland Security. Reportedly,this plant did not.