Topics Related to Disaster

With Hurricane Idalia forecasted to bring potential damaging wind and rain to North Carolina this week, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey offered tips to residents whose homes and property could be vulnerable to storm damage. He also assured North Carolinians that the insurance industry is in great shape to be ready if storm damage is to occur.

After a busy Monday night of severe thunderstorms brought downed trees and left thousands without power across the state, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is providing helpful tips to residents on what to do after a storm.

Even though the storm has passed, there are other dangers to watch out for such as downed power lines, ruptured gas lines, standing flood water, fallen trees and damaged structures. 

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey will tour tornado-damaged areas and offer assistance to those affected by the storm in areas in Nash County this afternoon.

A special Victim Assistance Center will be staffed by representatives from the Department of Insurance and the Office of State Fire Marshal to provide insurance information to policyholders affected by the storm. The center will be on site at the Red Oak Fire Department until 6 p.m. tonight and will return to the area on future dates if needed.

A series of recent rumblings out west have led Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey to urge the state’s residents to make sure they are covered from the effects of natural disasters. This can be achieved by checking in with their insurance agent to review their individual policies.

Seven earthquakes have hit the same area of western North Carolina within the past two weeks -- all within a mile of each other. Although western North Carolina is not on a major fault line, earthquakes are not uncommon in the western part of the state.

As today marks the official start of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is urging residents to prepare now and to arm themselves with important knowledge for if and when a storm makes landfall.  

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, experts have forecast 2023 to be an above-normal season of activity. NOAA has predicted 12 to 17 named storms, with winds blowing at a minimum of 39 mph, with five to nine of them predicted to be hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher).

North Carolina is not known for its earthquakes.  Hurricanes, yes – but, the natural disaster that shakes the ground due to seismic waves coursing through earth’s rocks below is more prevalent on the West Coast – until recently.

June 1 marks the start of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA, it is forecast to be an above-normal season. NOAA estimates 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher) with six to 10 of them predicted to be hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher).

In recognition of Hurricane Preparedness Week, which runs May 9-15, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey urges families to prepare now for hurricane season and the potential of extreme weather.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey urges residents to be proactive to lessen or prevent any losses that may stem from Tropical Storm Zeta by securing loose furniture and articles on the outside of their property.  The storm is forecasted to bring powerful wind gusts and moderate rain to North Carolina, especially in the western part of the state.