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Record Low Temperatures Responsible for High Ranking on Storm Index
PEMCO Storm Index tracks weather-related data from 1984
SEATTLE, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Early data from the PEMCO Storm Index suggests that last week's cold snap will be among Washington's top-6 severe cold-weather events of the past 25 years, based on PEMCO claims dollars of around $4,260,000 projected to be paid, according to the Washington-based insurer.
The frigid temperatures that gripped our state from Dec. 7 through 13 prompted a rash of claims that should rank this event behind only five previous cold-weather events: snowstorms of Dec. 26-30, 1996 ($15.2 million); Dec. 18, 1990 ($7.5 million); Dec. 17 - Jan. 10, 2009 ($7.1 million); Feb. 1-10, 1985 ($6.7 million); and Feb. 1, 1989 ($4.7 million). Last week's freeze also could break into Washington's top-10 weather events of any kind, which includes major windstorms.
As of Dec. 15, PEMCO Insurance had received 244 claims related to the cold weather, mostly for frozen and burst water pipes. Cold-weather claims continue to trickle in but are expected return to near-normal by the end of the week. However, some claims might not be reported for weeks, with people on vacation and owners of second homes being unaware of damage until they return. Also, boats might have suffered freezing damage that won't be detected until spring.
PEMCO advises people to take these precautions the next time a winter storm threatens: http://www.pemco.com/consumer_tips/pdfs/home/maintenance/protect_your_home_in_winter.pdf
PEMCO is the largest property and casualty insurer headquartered in Washington and insures only Washington residents.
About the PEMCO Storm Index
PEMCO has tracked data since 1984 for claims related to snow, cold, and windstorms, plus events like earthquakes, wildfires, and heavy rain. PEMCO ranks these events based on the number of claims and gross paid loss amount, which is recalculated into inflation-adjusted dollars. Data for storms before 1984 is less comprehensive.
About PEMCO Insurance
PEMCO Insurance, established in 1949, is a Seattle-based provider of auto, home, boat, life, and umbrella insurance to Washington state residents. PEMCO Insurance is sold by community agents throughout the state and through PEMCO offices. For more information, visit www.pemco.com.
PEMCO Storm Index - top 20 events
---------------------------------
CLAIM
RANK DATE LOCATION WEATHER COUNT
---- ---- -------- ------- -----
1 12/14/2006 Pacific N.W. 62.1 mph avg. gusts 4,695
--- ---------- ------------ ------------------- -----
2 1/20/1993 Western Wash. 64.7 mph avg. gusts 6,613
--- --------- ------------- ------------------- -----
3 12/26-30/1996 statewide snow, sub-freezing 5,629
--- ------------- --------- ------------------ -----
4 12/18/1990 Seattle snow, freeze, wind 2,612
--- ---------- ------- ------------------ -----
5 12/17-1/10/2009 statewide snow, freeze, thaw 1,195
--- --------------- --------- ------------------ -----
6 2/1-10/1985 Puget Sound snow 2,807
--- ----------- ----------- ---- -----
7 1/3-9/1990 Western Wash. 44.8 mph avg. gusts 3,366
--- ---------- ------------- ------------------- -----
8 12/4/2003 Seattle wind speed n/a 792
--- --------- ------- -------------- ---
9 12/12/1995 Western Wash. 54.3 mph avg. gusts 2,086
--- ---------- ------------- ------------------- -----
10 2/1/1989 Puget Sound snow 1,820
--- -------- ----------- ---- -----
11 12/7-13/2009 statewide sub-freezing 244
--- ------------ --------- ------------ ---
12 2/15-17/1990 Puget Sound snow 1,696
--- ------------ ----------- ---- -----
13 12/31/1996 Seattle snow 574
--- ---------- ------- ---- ---
14 11/19/1996 statewide snow, sub-freezing 1,329
--- ---------- --------- ------------------ -----
15 11/20-22/1985 Puget Sound snow 1,652
--- ------------- ----------- ---- -----
16 11/24-25/1990 Western Wash. rain 773
--- ------------- ------------- ---- ---
17 11/25-27/1985 Puget Sound deep snow 1,141
--- ------------- ----------- --------- -----
18 11/16/1991 Puget Sound wind speed n/a 740
--- ---------- ----------- -------------- ---
19 1/8/1990 Tri-Cities wind speed n/a 1,111
--- -------- ---------- -------------- -----
20 2/28/2001 Puget Sound Nisqually earthquake 1,437
--- --------- ----------- -------------------- -----
GROSS:
INFLATION
GROSS PAID ADJUSTED
RANK DATE LOSS AMT DOLLARS COMMENTS
---- ---- ---------- --------- --------
Hanukkah Eve windstorm,
1 12/14/2006 $24,638,797 $25,712,705 long power outages
--- ---------- ----------- ----------- ------------------
Inauguration Day storm,
2 1/20/1993 10,839,941 15,935,464 5 dead,750k no power
--- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------------------
20"+ of snow followed by
3 12/26-30/1996 11,485,107 15,549,547 warm, heavy rain
--- ------------- ---------- ---------- -----------------
10" snow, wind,
single-digit nights,
4 12/18/1990 4,706,865 7,650,007 20s in daytime
--- ---------- --------- --------- ---------------
3-4 snowstorms,
sub-freezing,
5 12/17-1/10/2009 7,128,511 7,128,511 warm heavy rain
--- --------------- --------- --------- ----------------
6" Seattle, 3" B'ham, 11"
6 2/1-10/1985 3,438,730 6,788,775 Olympia, 4" S.Wooley
--- ----------- --------- --------- ---------------------
7 1/3-9/1990 3,752,309 6,098,579 Warm wind (mid 50s), rain
--- ---------- --------- --------- -------------------------
Schools closed, 193k w/o
8 12/4/2003 5,190,521 5,992,372 power, trees down
--- --------- --------- --------- ------------------
More severe to south: 2
9 12/12/1995 3,657,296 5,097,777 Ore., 3 Calif. deaths
--- ---------- --------- --------- ----------------------
10" snow, then cold -- 16
degrees in Seattle
10 2/1/1989 2,788,661 4,777,268 at 10 a.m.
--- -------- --------- --------- -----------------------
projected Record cold temperatures
11 12/7-13/2009 4,260,000 4,260,000 statewide; no snowstorm
--- ------------ --------- --------- ------------------------
South Sound hit hardest;
12 2/15-17/1990 2,222,281 3,611,844 Seattle had only flurries
--- ------------ --------- --------- --------------------------
Marina roof collapse from
13 12/31/1996 1,811,111 2,452,041 heavy, wet snow
--- ---------- --------- --------- ----------------
Snow, wind, four deaths
14 11/19/1996 1,638,085 2,217,783 statewide; 7" in Seattle
--- ---------- --------- --------- ------------------------
10" snow fell 11/21/85
15 11/20-22/1985 1,015,918 2,005,636 by followed...(see 16)
--- ------------- --------- --------- -----------------------
Record rains, wind; I-90
16 11/24-25/1990 1,208,831 1,964,697 floating bridge sank
--- ------------- --------- --------- ------------------------
...10" - 20" snow fell
17 11/25-27/1985 961,122 1,897,456 11/27/85
--- ------------- ------- --------- ---------
60-mph gusts, then
18 11/16/1991 1,129,001 1,760,852 steady downpour
--- ---------- --------- --------- ----------------
19 1/8/1990 960,543 1,561,159 Localized windstorm
--- -------- ------- --------- -------------------
Damaged cars, claims on
20 2/28/2001 1,231,584 1,477,240 earthquake policies
--- --------- --------- --------- --------------------
CONTACTS:
Jon Osterberg, (206) 628-4019
PEMCO Insurance
jon.osterberg@pemco.com
Mark Firmani, (206) 443-9357
Firmani + Associates Inc.
mark@firmani.com
SOURCE PEMCO Insurance
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