June 02, 2011
By: Carrie Van Brunt-Wiley
Severe storms that tore across the U.S. and led to significant loss of life, property damage and a high number of homeowners insurance claims were caused by a number of factors.
Aside from a busier-than-usual storm season, researchers told the Associated Press urban sprawl may have contributed somewhat to the increased number of casualties from tornadoes that destroyed homes in parts of the Midwest and South. For instance, the storm that hit the city of Joplin, Missouri, killed 100 residents alone, and the popping up of other small cities and the increasing amount of land that's covered by homes and businesses means the potential for property damage is higher.
Additionally, some recent twisters have occurred at night or on weekends, when its likely more residents will be at home. Some scientists said it could also be that residents take natural disasters less seriously now than in the past.
"A lot of it is complacency," meteorology professor Walker Ashley of Northern Illinois University told the source. "The population seems to be becoming desensitized to nature. I don't know why."
Estimates vary as to how much damage in total was caused by April and May's tornadoes. Figures from risk modeling firm EQECAT said homeowners insurance companies could pay out up to $5 billion for the storms that occurred between April 26 and 28 alone.
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- Safety officials call attention to home sprinkler system regulations May 24, 2012
- Thousands of St. Louis insurance claims cite recent hail damage May 22, 2012
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