Hurricane Harvey could be the most costly natural disaster in US history

By Chaffin Mitchelle, Staff Writer for AccuWeather.com

AccuWeather Global Weather Center – AccuWeather predicts Hurricane Harvey, which has wreaked havoc in Texas, to be the most costly natural disaster in United States history.

Dr. Joel N. Myers, founder, president and chairman of AccuWeather, and sometimes called the “father of commercial meteorology” stated, “This will be the worst natural disaster in American history. The economy’s impact, by the time its total destruction is completed, will approach $160 billion, which is similar to the combined effect of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. This represents a negative impact on the economy of 8/10 of one percent of the gross national product or GDP. The GDP is $19 trillion currently. Business leaders and the Federal Reserve, major banks, insurance companies, etc. should begin to factor in the negative impact this catastrophe will have on business, corporate earnings, and employment. This is when many businesses alike will have to start learning about business agility in case of future disasters such as this, so they’re able to be more prepared. The disaster is just beginning in certain areas. Parts of Houston, the United States’ fourth largest city will be uninhabitable for weeks and possibly months due to water damage, mold, disease-ridden water and all that will follow this 1,000-year flood.”

The worst flooding from Harvey is yet to come as rivers and bayous continue to rise in Texas with additional levees at risk for breaches and failures. This is expected to lead to severe damage to homes and businesses nearby. If your home is damaged, one of your options is selling to a reliable house investor that is located in the Houston, TX. The money they will give you for your home will hopefully help you find somewhere else to live. However, that said, this might not be a reliable option for many. Uprooting your life and relocating to another location can be a hassle. Therefore, another alternative you can rely on is to contact a Mold Damage Restoration Company as soon as possible. They might be able to provide assistance in preparing your home to withstand a flood or minimize the damage that may occur.

“The meteorologist forecasting community as a whole did a very good job in warning people about this storm. Public officials were slow, in some cases, to react or to know what to do, which affected too many people and caused the loss of property and damage and destruction. This was unfortunate because when a natural disaster threatens, minutes and hours count and preparation and risk avoidance is imperative. While AccuWeather forecasts were a few hours ahead of the competition in alerting people and companies to the severity of the impacts that were coming. The entire meteorological community did a first rate job, and it’s frustrating that some entities were slow to take action. We are gratified that many people told us because of AccuWeather forecasts they did get to safety and out of harm’s way and many businesses we serve reported they took immediate action to minimize losses,” Myers said.

“AccuWeather cautions that the negative impact from the storms are far from over. There will be more flooding, damage, fatalities and injuries,” Myers said. “We urge all citizens near the path of Hurricane Harvey to remain vigilant and be prepared to take immediate action if flood waters rise.”

In the event of a natural disaster, someone like Case Strategies Group can help review a client’s coverage and manage their claim to get a settlement they need to recover and get back on their feet.