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MEDIA ADVISORY: I.I.I. Offers Resources and Experts on Floods, Hurricanes and Insurance for Reporters Covering Hurricane Sandy

October 26, 2012

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Top 10 Most Significant Flood Events By National Flood Insurance Program Payouts (1)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New York Press Office: (212) 346-5500; [email protected]

NEW YORK, October 26, 2012 — Hurricane Sandy is predicted to strike the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states with dangerous winds and heavy rain early next week. That, combined with the potential for a Nor’easter, could result in major flooding. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) has available a variety of resources for reporters covering the insurance-related aspects of the storm.

In August of 2011, Hurricane Irene caused $4.3 billion in privately insured losses plus almost $1.3 billion in insured flood losses. In fact, Irene was the fourth costliest flood event in U.S. history.

Top 10 Most Significant Flood Events By National Flood Insurance Program Payouts (1)

Number of Rank Date Event Location paid losses

1 Aug. 2005 Hurricane Katrina AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, TN 166,790 2 Sep. 2017 Hurricane Harvey AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, TX 76,257 3 Oct. 2012 Superstorm Sandy CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, 132,360 NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV 4 Sep. 2008 Hurricane Ike AR, IL, IN, KY, LA, MO, OH, PA, TX 46,701 5 Aug. 2016 Louisiana severe storms LA 26,976 and flooding 6 Sep. 2004 Hurricane Ivan AL, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NJ, 28,154 NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV 7 Aug. 2011 Hurricane Irene CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, 44,314 NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT 8 Jun. 2001 Tropical Storm Allison FL, LA, MS, NJ, PA, TX 30,671 9 Sep. 2017 Hurricane Irma FL, GA, SC 21,920 10 Oct. 2016 Hurricane Matthew FL, GA, NC, SC, VA 16,586

(1) Includes events from 1978 to January 31, 2019 as of December 23, 2019. Defined by the National Flood Insurance Program as an event that produces at least 1,500 paid losses. Stated in dollars when occurred.

Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency; U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Hurricane Center.

View Archived Tables

Wind damage from both tropical storms and hurricanes is covered under standard homeowners and business insurance policies. Flood damage resulting from storm surge caused by hurricanes is not covered under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies; however flood coverage is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and from a few private insurance companies.

Damage to cars from hurricanes is covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. This covers wind damage, flooding and falling objects such as tree limbs. More than 75 percent of all Americans choose to purchase comprehensive auto coverage.

To arrange an interview with the I.I.I., please call the New York City press office at 212-346-5500. You can reach the following I.I.I. spokespeople after hours at:

Dr. Robert Hartwig: 917-453-1885; [email protected]

Jeanne Salvatore: 917-612-4088; [email protected]

Michael Barry: 917-923-8245; [email protected]

Loretta Worters: 917-620-0982; [email protected]

Lynne McChristian (for Florida-specific questions): 813-480-6446; [email protected]

Elianne Gonzalez (for Spanish-speaking interviews): 954-389-9517; [email protected]