The Insurance Record - December 30, 2010

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THE VOICE OF TEXAS INSURANCE RE C O R D INSURANCE

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Increased Chances for Western Gulf Landfall

ANDOVER, Mass.—In its first tropical forecast for 2011, Weather Services International (WSI) is predicting 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and five intense hurricanes (category 3 or greater). The 2011 forecast numbers are well above the long-term (1950-2009) averages of 10 named storms, six hurricanes, and two intense hurricanes and also slightly above the averages from the more active recent period (1995-2010) of 15/8/4.

“We expect another very active season in 2011, with above-
normal Atlantic ocean temperatures and favorable wind shear
conditions. Typically, years after La Niña events are quite ac-
tive, especially if the La Niña doesn’t rapidly transition to an El
Niño event,” said WSI Chief Meteorologist Dr. Todd Craw-
ford. “Most of the statistical and dynamical guidance suggests
that the chance of this occurring is relatively low.”

Remember ’08

Crawford also indicated that the Gulf Coast was under a significant threat for hurricane landfall in the upcoming season. “Our hurricane landfall prediction model suggests increased chances of US landfall in 2011, with particularly enhanced probabilities in the western Gulf states. The forecast numbers continued on page 9

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In This Issue

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AUSTIN—On Friday, Dec. 3, 2010, the Texas Supreme Court put a final end to a case involving the amount some hospitals marked up workers’ compensation-related bills under rules in effect until 2008.

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In June 2010, the Texas Supreme Court declined to review the matter. The hospitals then requested the Court to reconsider that decision, but the move on Friday by the Court denied the hospitals’ request.

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Robbed at Scalpel Point

“Texas employers realized a great victory today,” Mary Barrow Nichols, gener- continued on page 7

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