North Texas Tornadoes Could Cost Insurers $250M

Preliminary insured losses are $250 million from tornadoes in the North Texas region on May 15.

Mark Hanna with industry trade association the Insurance Council of Texas says the estimate will likely change since the storm affected a large areas–seven or eight counties–and insurers continue to count claims.

The estimate is based on the best information available, including types of reported dsmage, the average value of homes and an initial look at claims counts, Hanna says.

Tornadoes late May 15 in north-central Texas damaged multiple homes, killing six people and injuring 100.

As many as 10 twisters touched down after nightfall. The storms included softball-sized hail and cut power to tens of thousands of home and businesses.

Granbury, a city about 40 miles from Fort Worth, was the hardest-hit when a tornado touched down around 8 p.m. Most of the destruction occurred in Rancho Brazos, a neighborhood subdivision built by Habitat for Humanity volunteers.

A very large twister tore through the nearby city of Cleburne, damaging roofs and houses. Additional damage occurred in Ennis, where squalls of 70 mph winds tore through homes and infrastructure.