Deltec Homes, an Asheville, North Carolina-based builder of prefabricated, round houses, says its designs can withstand the extreme wind loads associated with a Category 5 hurricane. CEO Meg Gore said the company’s circular footprint and roof system reduce pressure points that can lead to structural failure in high-wind events. “Round really works with nature, instead […]
Why these round homes are resilient to hurricanes Read More »
ALIRT Insurance Research released a report this week finding that Florida’s homeowners insurance market has stabilized after years of financial strain — following legislative reforms adopted in late 2022 and early 2023. The 2025 Florida Domestic Property Insurer Market Update concludes that the market has rebounded from conditions in 2022, when litigation costs, rising losses
Florida property insurance market is rebounding from 2022 low point Read More »
More than one in four U.S. homes — valued at $12.7 trillion — are exposed to severe or extreme climate risks, according to a report released Tuesday by Realtor.com. The analysis found that threats from flooding, hurricane winds and wildfires are increasingly reshaping housing markets, homeowner costs and insurance availability. “Climate risks are no longer
$12.7 trillion in US homes face severe climate risks Read More »
San Diego-based startup FutureProof is using artificial intelligence (AI) to change the way insurers assess catastrophe risk and set premiums, a shift that could make insurance both more affordable and easier to come by in disaster-prone regions. “FutureProof started with thinking about the build environment and everyone’s homes and businesses,” FutureProof co-founder and co-CEO Alisa
Tech startup offering AI-driven property level risk modeling Read More »
As Hurricane Erin becomes the first hurricane of the 2025 season, homeowners in many parts of the U.S. are already facing double-digit insurance rate hikes, and insurers in some areas continue to pull out altogether. In high-risk, catastrophe-prone regions, homeowners’ premiums are projected to rise more than 15% this year, according to Hub International’s 2025
Hurricane season arrives amid homeowners insurance hikes Read More »
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty has reopened its office in Asheville, North Carolina, marking a significant milestone in the region’s recovery from Hurricane Helene. The real estate agency, which was severely damaged in the storm, underwent extensive restoration over the past nine months. Its reopening was commemorated with a ceremony on June 16, where a plaque
North Carolina real estate office reopens after Hurricane Helene devastation Read More »
Hurricane season is set to commence on June 1, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — which has been experiencing organizational challenges for the past several weeks — has reportedly rescinded its guiding plan for agency objectives and priorities, according to multiple FEMA employees and a memo obtained by news outlet Wired. On Wednesday,
FEMA rescinds strategic agency plan ahead of hurricane season Read More »
The rising cost of homeowners’ insurance coupled with the rising regularity of weather-related natural disasters is serving to erode the longstanding barrier between mortgage lenders and loan losses, according to a new report published by First Street. As the frequency of disasters has risen — destabilizing the insurance market, limiting coverage and raising consumers’ costs
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After an initial rejection and amendment of its required Hurricane Helene recovery plan as it seeks more than $200 million in federal funds, the City of Asheville, North Carolina’s revised plan has received approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In March, HUD rejected Asheville’s initial draft action plan, a required
HUD approves Asheville’s hurricane recovery plan after initial objection over DEI Read More »
Following a dramatic turn of events at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last week, the newly-installed acting leader acknowledged that the agency does not have a disaster response plan even though hurricane season is jus two weeks away. Former acting FEMA chief Cameron Hamilton initially raised eyebrows when he was chosen to lead the
FEMA isn’t prepared for hurricane season, acting director concedes Read More »