Houston Faced With Billions In Beryl Damages, Insurance Costs

When a brief but powerful storm hit Houston in May, winds hit 100 MPH. AccuWeather put damages between $5 billion and $7 billion. Beryl, the hurricane that came ashore today, could do much more extensive damage.

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Beryl’s damage could also extend well beyond the Texas area. Later in the week, considerable rainstorms are expected to occur in Michigan and possibly tornadoes in Ohio.

Two million people were without electricity early after Beryl’s landfall. This will rise, perhaps by several times. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys commented, “The most intense rainfall, ranging from 8 to 12 inches in most areas, will occur near the storm’s landfall location along the east-central Texas coast, extending up to Houston and Tyler.”

The damage in May included shattered windows in skyscrapers. These have not been repaired entirely and will be battered again today.

20 Inches Of Rain

What is already wet ground will grow much wetter, making it unstable and more likely to cause mudslides and tree damage. Rainfall could top 20 inches in Houston.

The storm will have financial consequences well beyond immediate damage. There is a growing trend among insurers to raise rates rapidly in storm-prone areas, which have, until recently, been primarily in Florida. Areas of the Midwest affected by tornadoes and violent thunderstorms have triggered sharp increases in residential and some business insurance.

Jump In Insurance Rates

The areas in and around Houston face sharp increases in insurance rates. Some insurers may even drop offering insurance in the area altogether.

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