Licensing

M 6.4 Earthquake occurred 2022-12-20 10:34:24 (UTC) near Ferndale, CA

Below is the FEMA Situation, issued today in the FEMA Daily Operations Briefing

Situation: At 5:35 a.m. ET a magnitude 6.4 (MMI VII) earthquake occurred 7.7 miles west-southwest of Ferndale (Humboldt County), CA at a depth of 10 miles. A Green PAGER was issued for shaking-related fatalities. A Yellow PAGER alert was issued for shaking-related for economic losses. There have been no request for FEMA assistance.

This information and the attachment is from the NFIP Write Your Own (WYO) Bulletin W-22001 issued 8/9/2022

"FEMA is pleased to announce the release of the 2023 NFIP Adjuster and Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) Fee Schedules.

Federal regulation requires fee schedule revisions to align with a new FY WYO Financial Arrangement. The FY2023 Arrangement will be effective October 1, 2022; therefore, the 2023 NFIP Adjuster and ICC Fee Schedules will apply to claims with dates of loss on or after October 1, 2022. FEMA is providing the notice well in advance to allow WYOs and the NFIP Direct time for system updates.

Summary of SB

" The bill requires the Florida Building Code to provide that when 25 percent or more of a roofing system or roof section is being repaired, replaced, or recovered, only the portion of the roofing system or roof section undergoing such work need be constructed in accordance with the current Florida Building Code in effect at the time of such work. This new provision applies only to roof systems and roof sections built, repaired, or replaced in accordance with the requirements of the 2007 Florida Building Code or subsequent editions. The provision revises the current Florida Building Code which requires that not more than 25 percent of the total roof area or roof section, of any existing building or structure, may be repaired, replaced, or recovered in any 12-month period—unless the entire existing roofing system or roof section conforms to the current requirements of the Code."  

Ongoing La Niña, above-average Atlantic temperatures set the stage for busy season ahead

Forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, are predicting above-average hurricane activity this year — which would make it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season. NOAA’s outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, which extends from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 65% chance of an above-normal season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.

Tropical Weather Discussion
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
1805 UTC Sun May 8 2022

...TROPICAL WAVES...
The first tropical wave of the season has emerged off the W coast of Africa this morning. It is currently located along 14W S of 10N this morning, moving W at 10 kts. Numerous scattered to isolated strong convection is observed from 02N to 08N between the coast of Africa and 22W. Tropical wave guidance has it moving westward over the next 24-48 hours, crossing well S of the Cabo Verde Islands.

Preliminary Reports
Updated 12/13

Tornado Reports  -64

Hail Reports - 24

Wind Reports - 370

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is well underway, and atmospheric and oceanic conditions remain conducive for an above-average hurricane season, according to the annual mid-season update issued by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. 

The latest outlook reflects that the number of expected named storms (winds of 39 mph or greater) is 15-21, including 7-10 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater), of which 3-5 could become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5 with winds 111 mph or greater). This updated outlook includes the 5 named storms that have formed so far, with Hurricane Elsa becoming the earliest 5th named storm on record.

Release Date: JULY 8, 2021

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Little Antelope Valley, California near the Nevada border on July 8, 2021 at 3:49pm local time (July 8 at 22:49 UTC). Seismic instruments indicate the earthquake originated at a depth of 6 miles (9.8 kilometers).

The earthquake struck about 20 miles southwest of Smith Valley, NV. Perceived shaking for the quake was very strong. The event was widely felt, with close to 15,000 "Did You Feel It?" reports thus far submitted.

USGS scientists expect that this event will trigger aftershocks, but these will decrease in frequency over time. See the aftershock forecast for details.

Source: USGS

GENERAL BILL by Rules ; Judiciary ; Banking and Insurance ; Boyd ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Brandes

Insurance; Prohibiting certain practices by contractors; prohibiting a contractor from executing a contract with a residential property owner for a roofing repair or replacement unless certain notice is included; requiring property insurers, effective a certain date, to include certain data regarding closed claims in their annual reports to the Office of Insurance Regulation; requiring the Property Insurance Corporation to include the costs of catastrophe reinsurance to its projected 100-year probable maximum loss in its rate calculations even if the corporation does not purchase such reinsurance, etc.

Effective Date: 7/1/2021
Last Action: 6/14/2021 - Chapter No. 2021-77

Source: NOAA 2/12/21 Article

True to trend, Mother Earth kicked off 2021 with a balmy January that ranked 7th-warmest in the temperature record, according to scientists with NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.

Warmth took its toll on sea ice as well, with below-average ice coverage observed at both ends of the planet.

...

From the Press Release.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In response to California’s latest destructive fires, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is requesting that insurance companies help wildfire survivors who are overwhelmed with the task of navigating the claims process by providing up to 100 percent of personal property coverage limits without a detailed inventory to those who suffered a total loss of their home, similar to previous identical requests in past years.

The information below is from the FEMA Daily Ops Briefing issued 10/06 @ 8:30 am

Situation: : Of the over 7 million acres burned, the National Watch Center continues to track 11 active fires that have burned nearly 2 million acres from the West Coast to the Rocky Mountains. Mandatory evacuations continue throughout the impacted regions. No reported unmet needs.

August 6, 2020 - Atmospheric and oceanic conditions are primed to fuel storm development in the Atlantic, leading to what could be an “extremely active” season, according to forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. Today, the agency released its annual August update to the Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook, initially issued in May.

We anticipate that the 2020 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have above-normal activity. Current warm neutral ENSO conditions appear likely to transition to cool neutral ENSO or potentially even weak La Niña conditions by this summer/fall. Sea surface temperatures averaged across the tropical Atlantic are somewhat above normal. Our Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation index is below its long-term average; however, most of the tropical Atlantic is warmer than normal. We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean. As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted.

The below is from the bulletin.

March 24, 2020

To:   All TDI-regulated carriers, agents, adjusters, and licensees

Re:   COVID-19: Suspension of certain licensing requirements and fees

On March 13, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor authorized the use of all available state and local government resources necessary to cope with the disaster.

TDI expects carriers to work with their policyholders as they prepare for and respond to the spread of COVID-19. Carriers should look to the Governor’s ongoing declarations related to COVID-19 for guidance on how long to extend relief.

M 7.1 - 17km NNE of Ridgecrest, CA
2019-07-06 03:19:52 (UTC)35.766°N 117.605°W17.0 km depth

"The so-called bomb cyclone that brought heavy snow, blizzard conditions and major flooding to the Midwest in March landed with a resounding meteorological “ka-boom!” and became one of two billion-dollar weather and climate disasters this year.

The other was a severe storm that struck the Northeast, Southeast and Ohio Valley in late February."

The above is from the NOAA article, follow the Read More link for the article.

"We anticipate that the 2019 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have slightly below normal activity. The current weak El Niño event appears likely to persist and perhaps even strengthen this summer/fall. Sea surface temperatures averaged across the tropical Atlantic are slightly below normal, and the far North Atlantic is anomalously cool. Our Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation index is below its long-term average. We anticipate a slightly below-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean. As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted."