AIR puts Hurricane Delta insured losses at up to $3bn

Insured losses to onshore property resulting from Hurricane Delta’s winds and storm surge will range between $1 billion to $3 billion, according to catastrophe risk modeling firm AIR Worldwide.

The estimate includes losses to onshore residential, commercial, and industrial properties, as well as automobiles for building, contents, and time element coverage.

Hurricane Delta made landfall on October 9 near Creole, Louisiana, as a Category 2 storm with sustained wind speeds of 100 mph and a central pressure of 970 mb.

Delta brought strong winds and storm surge to coastal communities, mainly in southwestern and south-central Louisiana. The southwestern corner of Louisiana was also hit with heavy rainfall, up to 17 inches in some places.

According to AIR, Hurricanes Laura and Delta made landfall roughly 12 miles and six weeks apart. Structures that may have been weakened by Laura’s relatively-stronger winds may have been further damaged by Delta, mainly in the coastal area of Cameron Parish and Lake Charles.