NU Online News Service, Sept. 10, 12:16 p.m. EDT

Insured losses from Tropical Storm Hermine and the tornadoes generated from it could approach $100 million in Texas as claims continue to mount, according to the Insurance Council of Texas.

Mark Hanna, spokesman for the state's largest trade association, said the estimate was derived from looking at the experience of State Farm, the state's largest insurer of homeowners with nearly a third of the market.

State Farm spokesman Kevin Davis said the insurer has received nearly 2,700 property and 50 automobile claims as of late Thursday. Many will be flood claims, as about 15 inches of rain fell in some spots, like Travis and Williamson counties.

Mr. Hanna said the claims count is multiplying fast. Late Thursday the council said its initial estimate of insured losses was in excess of $50 million. Today, Mr. Hanna said insured losses are now expected to be closer to $75 million and could top out near $100 million.

Hermine made landfall Monday night as a tropical storm and dumped record-setting rain as it moved north on Sept. 7 and 8. The National Weather Service recorded more than 7 inches of rain at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas--easily breaking an 87-year-old record of 3.1 inches, the council said.

Additionally, as many as seven tornadoes were reported in the Dallas area, causing more damage. The strongest tornado was an EF-2 on the Fujita Scale that touched down in West Dallas, the weather service said.

Remnants of the storm also caused flooding in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Igor, located about 465 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands as of the National Hurricane Center's (NHC) 11:00 a.m. EDT update today, could strengthen into a hurricane by Sunday as it moves west across the Atlantic Ocean at around 16 miles per hour.

The NHC said wind shear that has hindered Igor's development is expected to abate, and the storm is projected to move over warmer water.

Special Reports /

Texas Insured Losses From Storm Hermine Could Reach $100M; Igor Moves Across Atlantic

Related Stories

Recommended For You