Topic
Catastrophes
Dry weather, low water flow conditions prompt Alberta Energy Regulator to encourage oil and gas operators to reduce consumption
August 18, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterDrought conditions in Alberta have prompted the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) to encourage oil and gas operators in the province to voluntarily reduce their consumption in areas with no mandatory restrictions but with stream flows lower than normal. Due to…
Preparedness essential to reduce windstorm losses, lesson learned from Katrina: AGCS
August 18, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterPreparedness is crucial to mitigate increasing windstorm-related losses in future, notes Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS), which Tuesday issued a risk bulletin to mark the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the largest-ever windstorm loss. Katrina struck the Gulf Coast…
British Columbia experiences 46 new wildfires over two days
August 17, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterBritish Columbia’s Southeast Fire Centre has responded to 46 new fires since Thursday, almost all of which are believed to be lightning-caused, the provincial Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations reported. As of Monday morning, the Testalinden Creek…
Explosion in China shows how Cats can have regional, even global, impact: Munich Re
August 17, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterThe catastrophe in China – where explosions Aug. 12 brought to ruin many facilities in the Port of Tianjin – shows “the persistent growth of accumulation risks, particularly in highly industrialized regions,” suggested Dieter Berg, head of department business development,…
U.S. national wildfire preparedness moves to highest level
August 17, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterThe United States’ National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) said that it has increased the National Fire Preparedness Level to its highest point PL-5, which ranges from one, indicating minimal activity to five, signaling very high activity. The PL-5 rating, effective…
Evacuees breathe easier after dodging two California wildfires within days of each other
August 14, 2015 Manuel Valdes and Yara Bishara - THE ASSOCIATED PRESSLOWER LAKE, Calif. – Mountain-town dwellers who had to evacuate – some for the second time in days – were breathing a bit easier as firefighters took major steps toward controlling the latest wildfire in this area 100 miles north…
Wildfire spreads into British Columbia from Washington state
August 14, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterBritish Columbia’s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said on Friday that 13 new wildfires are burning the Kamloops Fire Centre region, including one that has spread into B.C. from the United States. A press release from the…
Nearly half of Americans exposed to potentially damaging earthquakes: journal article
August 14, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterNearly half of Americans are exposed to potentially damaging ground shaking from earthquakes, said a research report published in the journal Earthquake Spectra this week. The report, from scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), found that more than 143…
PCS estimates $230 million in insured damage from July storms in Alberta, Saskatchewan: IBC
August 13, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterStorms three weeks ago in Alberta and Saskatchewan caused more than $230 million in insured damage, Insurance Bureau of Canada reported Thursday. IBC quoted the preliminary estimate from Property Claims Services (PCS), a unit of Jersey City, N.J.-based Verisk Analytics…
Two environmental groups, 33 individuals withdraw from Kinder Morgan pipeline regulatory hearings
August 12, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterTwo environmental groups and 33 individuals announced on Wednesday that they have publicly withdrawn from National Energy Board (NEB) regulatory hearings into the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline “due to a flawed and biased process.” The Wilderness Committee, the Canadian…
Northern California blaze spreads into Napa County; At least 150 people evacuated
August 12, 2015 The Associated PressLOWER LAKE, Calif. – Erratic winds fanned a wildfire burning through rugged hills in Northern California on Wednesday, pushing the flames across a wide area and chasing at least 150 people from their homes. Many in the region about 100…
British Columbia expects increased wildfire behaviour for days in Kootenay Lake area as temperatures increase
August 11, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterBritish Columbia’s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said on Tuesday that “with the return of hot and dry conditions in the [Kootenay Lake] region, wildfire behaviour will likely increase through Thursday as temperatures increase and humidity levels…