Guidewire (NYSE: GWRE) announced the availability of critical data and maps detailing hurricane risk at the national, state, and local levels in the United States. This service leverages HazardHub’s more than 1,000 data points and risk scores for climate risks and extreme weather events.
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Top States for Hurricane Risk
The top ten states for hurricane risk, based on the percentage of properties rated as “D” (high) or “F” (very high) risk for hurricane damage in the Guidewire HazardHub Hurricane Risk Model, are:
1. Florida
2. Louisiana
3. South Carolina
4. Texas
5. Mississippi
6. North Carolina
7. Delaware
8. Georgia
9. Alabama
10. Virginia
These states face the highest hurricane risk, factoring in the likelihood of Category 1 or greater hurricanes, proximity to the coast, and the frequency of tropical and subtropical events, among other factors.
States at Risk of Storm Surge
The percentage of housing units at risk of storm surge flooding in high-risk states for hurricanes, as indicated by an "F" rating in the HazardHub SurgeMax Storm Surge Flooding Model, are:
- Louisiana - 52%
- Florida - 34%
- South Carolina - 21%
- Delaware - 20%
- Virginia - 13%
- Mississippi - 9%
- North Carolina - 7%
- Texas - 5%
- Georgia - 4%
- Alabama - 3%
The HazardHub SurgeMax Score is a metric developed by HazardHub to measure the risk of storm surge flooding for any given location. The score is designed to help insurers, underwriters, and others assess and manage the risk associated with storm surge events, which can be a significant threat in coastal areas, particularly during severe hurricanes. The SurgeMax Score takes into account various factors, including historical NOAA storm surge data, topography, distance from the coast, and other relevant geographical and environmental data to estimate the potential severity of storm surge impacts.
In Florida, the state at most significant risk for hurricane events, nearly 1 out of 3 homes, or 3 million homes, are susceptible to storm surge flooding from hurricanes, making it one of the most vulnerable states to flooding from hurricanes. In Louisiana, the state with the second greatest hurricane risk, approximately 52% of homes, or 910,000 homes, are susceptible to hurricane storm surge flooding.
Louisiana is highly prone to hurricanes and storm surge flooding due to its location along the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, its low elevation and flat terrain, and the ongoing loss of protective wetlands and barrier islands. The Mississippi River Delta's subsidence further exacerbates the state's vulnerability, making it one of the most at-risk areas for flooding during hurricanes.
"Understanding hurricane risk is vital for insurers and property owners alike, as it informs their coverage options, emergency plans, and mitigation strategies,” said Christina Hupy, Vice President, HazardHub at Guidewire. "HazardHub helps insurers better understand a property’s climate and hurricane risks at the individual address level, enabling more accurate underwriting of that risk. With this technology, property owners, meanwhile, are also better informed to be able to mitigate their risks and prepare for these events.”
The HazardHub Hurricane Risk Scores and other detailed data and risk scores are accessible to insurers through Guidewire apps, including PolicyCenter and InsuranceNow, and via the HazardHub API. Consumers interested in learning about their home’s risks can visit freehomerisk.com.
About Guidewire
Guidewire is the platform P&C insurers trust to engage, innovate, and grow efficiently. More than 570 insurers in 42 countries, from new ventures to the largest and most complex in the world, rely on Guidewire products. With core systems leveraging data and analytics, digital, and artificial intelligence, Guidewire defines cloud platform excellence for P&C insurers.
We are proud of our unparalleled implementation record, with 1,700+ successful projects supported by the industry’s largest R&D team and SI partner ecosystem. Our marketplace represents the largest solution partner community in P&C, where customers can access hundreds of applications to accelerate integration, localization, and innovation.
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