NU Online News Service, Dec. 22, 11:35 a.m. EST

Expect another active hurricane season in 2011, according to Weather Services International (WSI).

Part of the Weather Channel Companies, WSI is calling for 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and five intense hurricanes of Category 3 or greater.

The predicted totals are well above the normal of 10 named storms, six hurricanes and two intense hurricanes.

Like last year, ocean temperatures in the Atlantic are expected to be above normal and wind shear is predicted to be favorable for storm formation, said Todd Crawford, WSI chief meteorologist.

But as the past season pointed out, an active season does not mean a U.S. landfall. Twelve hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes formed from 19 named storms during the 2010 season, but none struck the U.S.

However, Mr. Crawford suggested WSI's model calls for an increased chance of U.S. landfall in 2011, especially on the western Gulf states.

"The forecast numbers are quite similar to those prior to the 2008 season when hurricanes Dolly, Gustav and Ike impacted Louisiana and Texas," Mr. Crawford added.

Ike was the costliest hurricane to hit Texas, causing insured property damages of $9.8 billion, according to ISO. Much of the losses were shouldered by the state's insurer of last resort, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. Ike ranks as the third costliest hurricane in U.S. history, causing more than $12.5 billion in insured losses.

Louisiana was impacted by the top three costliest hurricanes in U.S. history, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which cost insurers more than $41 billion.

According to Highline Data, the top writer in both Texas and Louisiana is State Farm with market shares of 29 percent and 29.8 percent, respectively.

Rounding out the top five in Texas is Zurich Insurance Group (Farmers) with 13.6 percent, Allstate with 13.1 percent, USAA Group with 8 percent and Travelers with about 5 percent.

Behind State Farm in Louisiana is Allstate with 15 percent, Liberty Mutual with 6.6 percent, Louisiana Farm Bureau with 6.1 percent and Zurich with 6 percent.

Highline Data is part of Summit Business Media, which also owns National Underwriter.

The Andover, Mass., forecaster's predictions a month into the 2010 season were nearly perfect. WSI called for 19 named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes.

WSI said it is releasing its next update for the hurricane season at the end of April.

Special Reports /

La. And Texas Beware: Another Active Hurricane Season On Tap

Related Stories

Recommended For You