Tropical Storm Alex Lets BP Off with a Warning
Storm-watchers this week were keeping close tabs on Alex, the season’s first named storm, as rough weather threatened to derail BP’s efforts to limit the impact of the blown-out Deepwater Horizon oil well. As of Monday, the storm was forecast to track over Mexico, just south of the Texas border ... more
I’ll See Your Shake Table and Raise You a Hurricane Machine
This giant wind tunnel can simulate a hurricane and test a whole house for resistance to high winds and water intrusion. (IBHS photo) Wind-resistant building codes call for components like shingles that can stay on the roof in a hurricane and windows that can handle the impact of windborne debris. ... more
North Carolina Lowers Insurance Rates for Toughened Homes
North Carolina’s Department of Insurance has approved new discount credits on homeowners insurance policies for houses that meet upgraded standards for wind-resistant construction, the Wilmington Star-News reports (“Homes with wind resistance to earn insurance credits,” by Wayne Faulkner). Existing homes could qualify for rate reductions by measures such as installing ... more
Flood Insurance Program Lapses for Second Time
Caught up in Senate political maneuvering, the National Flood Insurance Program’s temporary funding has expired for the second time this year. And for a second time, home buyers are caught in mortgage limbo, reports the Palm Beach Post (“Congress' flood insurance lapse strands residents, home sales,” by Laura Green). After ... more
Courts Have Busy Agenda In Coastal Zone
Courts in coastal jurisdictions have been active this summer tackling a wide range of legal issues. Disputes over Chinese drywall, beach property rights, unhealthy FEMA trailers, building code enforcement authority, and hurricane insurance payouts generated legal news from Florida to Texas. Here’s a quick recap. Chinese Drywall A Miami jury ... more
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