Guy Carpenter's Instrat unit, which provides updates on major catastrophes that are likely to incur a significant loss to the insurance industry, said that at least 20 people were killed and a number of homes and businesses were damaged after powerful storms struck central Florida late last week. The Associated Press said early estimates showed at least $68 million in property losses.

The storms hit while most people were sleeping, damaging more than 1,000 homes and leaving more than 20,000 people without power, according to reports. Ripped-off roofs and walls torn from homes were reported, as well as mobile homes thrown off their foundations.

President Bush declared federal disasters in four Florida counties hit by the storms (Lake, Volusia, Sumter, and Seminole). Reports said it was the deadliest combination of thunderstorms and tornados to hit Florida in nearly a decade. The National Weather Service (NWS) said around seven tornadoes touched down in the area, with some packing winds of up to 165 mph. The NWS added that around 17 instances of straight-line winds were also recorded.

Florida Senator Bill Nelson said at least 1,500 homes, buildings, and churches were heavily damaged or destroyed in the four affected counties. Jerry Smith, director of Lake County emergency services, said a vast area spanning 20 square miles was devastated by the storms. Television images of the damage showed the ground littered with the debris of scores of homes.

Coincidentally, the storms occurred on the ninth anniversary of Florida's "Groundhog Day Storm" of 1998, when seven tornadoes and fierce storms killed 42 people and damaged or destroyed around 2,600 homes and businesses.

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

This report was reprinted with permission. For more CAT-i reports and further information on the service, go to www.guycarp.com.

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Guy Carp: Fla. Tornadoes Cause $68 Million in Damages

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