Catastrophe & Restoration

State Farm’s claims payments through May eclipsed $2.5 billion as payments to policyholders affected by April’s harsh weather approaches $1 billion.

While many of the Joplin, Mo. tornado survivors had insurance, it could be months, if not years, before they can rebuild. FEMA said Monday it will consider bringing in trailers, as it did for New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, if enough homes are not available.

While many of the Joplin, Mo. tornado survivors had insurance, it could be months, if not years, before they can rebuild. FEMA said Monday it will consider bringing in trailers, as it did for New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, if enough homes are not available.

Ohio suffered $123 million in damages from two severe storms in April, with the month likely to be known as one of the “most active and destructive months for severe weather in U.S. history,” the Ohio Insurance Institute says.

Ohio suffered $123 million in damages from two severe storms in April, with the month likely to be known as one of the “most active and destructive months for severe weather in U.S. history,” the Ohio Insurance Institute says.

Many of the states hammered by what's already the deadliest year for tornadoes in more than half a century have among the nation's highest rates of homes without hazard insurance despite being among the most twister-prone.