Recovery efforts from Hurricane Dennis were underway today, but as that weather event fades tropical storm Emily is gaining strength in the Atlantic, setting a record as the fifth storm to be given a name so early in the season.
According to the National Weather Service, Emily could become the second hurricane of the season, but it is too early to assess where it might head as it passes through the Caribbean.
Florida, Alabama and Mississippi are still recovering from Dennis, which struck as a category three hurricane, with sustained winds of 120 mph.
But weather analysts said the speed of the storm, moving at between 18 and 21 mph as the center of the storm passed near Pensacola, Fla., and the narrow center of the storm kept damages down.
Robby Cunningham, a spokesman for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said there were four fatalities caused by the storm. Some 288 people remained in shelters and evacuation notices remained in effect to some extent in four counties.
Mr. Cunningham said some flooding remains in areas, and there is concern that rivers have not peaked and could flood some more.
Bob Lotrane, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Financial Services, said the worst hit areas were between Milton and Navarre Beach, Fla., east of Pensacola, with major flooding.
Despite Dennis, he said, the insurance industry should easily withstand the losses involved. The state will have two mobile consumer units in place to help residents with insurance questions.
Mr. Lotrane said those homeowners who were awaiting repair of their homes will file new claims for new damage. Residents were advised to photograph their homes before and after Dennis to file their claims, he said.
"This is a new season with new deductibles," Mr. Lotrane said.
In Mississippi, Nash Nunnery, public information officer for the state's Emergency Management Agency, said, "We dodged a bullet."
Power that had been out for more than 24,000 homes was restored Monday evening. There was little flooding, though officials were keeping an eye out for flash flooding in some areas. He said 35 homes suffered damage, 3 major, and 16 mobile homes suffered minor damage. Five businesses in Jackson City suffered minor damage. The storm claimed one life in Jasper County, he said.
In Alabama severe damage appeared limited to the southwest portion of the state, largely from flooding and wind.
Late yesterday, Oakland, Calif.-based Eqecat revised its damage estimate to between $1 billion and $4 billion, moving closer to estimates from Newark, Calif-based Risk Management Solutions, which placed its estimate at between $1 billion and $5 billion, and AIR in Boston, which put its estimate at between $1 billion and $2.5 billion.
Eqecat's earlier estimate, between $3 billion and $8 billion, was made prior to Dennis coming ashore when it was still a category four hurricane.
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