Hurricane Ike makes a costly impact on Ohio residents

October 9, 2008- In Ohio, local government and national insurance companies are adding up the damage caused by Hurricane Ike. The Ohio Insurance Institute is reporting about $553.1 million in insured losses- most caused by the  winds created by the hurricane.

This storm is the highest damage total in the state  since 1974 when Ohio residents were hit by Xenia tornado outbreak.  The Xenia tornadoes caused roughly $600 million in damages- equal to about $1 billion today.

About 121,624 claims were filed.  Of these claims, an estimated 88 percent were home insurance claims. Most home insurance insurance claims, which totaled about $461 million,  involved roof, siding, window and wall damage cause by toppled trees.  Auto claims made up 7.5 percent of claims totalling about $22.7 million in damages.  The remaining claims consisted of claims for commercials property damage, business interuption and refrigerated property losses totaling $69.1 million.