Tag: severe weather

Business Insurance: Perspectives: ‘Causation’ Key in Hurricane Ian Coverage Disputes

Business Insurance, September 29, 2022

Jared Zola and Kyle P. Brinkman ●

Hurricane Ian and its aftermath are wreaking havoc in the Caribbean and Florida. While the situation is developing rapidly, Ian has moved through Florida after initially making U.S. landfall as one of southwest Florida’s most intense hurricanes in history. It produced catastrophic storm surge exceeding 10 feet in certain locations, destructive winds packing maximum sustained winds of more than 140 mph and relentless rainfall.

The economic impact of the storm will be felt by businesses and individuals across Florida and the southeastern United States for some time. Many businesses have and will continue to suffer direct damage to property and lose income due to the resulting interruption of their operations, but many other businesses are also likely to lose substantial income due to evacuation orders, disruption of utility service and disruption of the operations of key suppliers or customers. Florida is home to many businesses in the real estate, retail, hospitality, senior living, distribution and entertainment sectors that may face significant exposures to their operations.

Businesses should examine their insurance policies closely and not indiscriminately accept coverage denials premised on flood exclusions, or other excluded perils.

Read more on our website.

Resources for Hurricane Ida

Alan Rubin , John E. Heintz, and Jared Zola







In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida’s historic landfall on the Gulf Coast, and the subsequent destruction in several states in the south and along the Eastern seaboard, damage to life and property is still being assessed.

Hundreds of thousands of Louisiana residents are still without power, hampering rescue and recovery and endangering the health and welfare of the local population, including hospitals crowded with COVID-19 patients.

New York City subway and rail systems have been halted due to flooding, and public transportation and infrastructure has been impacted up and down the East Coast. Tornado damage and record flooding have been reported in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York and New England.

Blank Rome’s interdisciplinary Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Team (“SWERT”) has developed the following resources for those in the path of the storm, or with business interests in the affected regions, which we encourage you to share with your contacts via e-mail and/or social media:

Please share this information with anyone who has been impacted by the storm. These resources and many more can be found at our website at blankrome.com/SWERT. Our team stands ready to provide assistance on FEMA and insurance issues to individuals and businesses who are preparing for, or are impacted by, this events.

For additional information, please contact:

Alan Rubin, Co-Chair, Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Team
John E. Heintz, Co-Chair, Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Team
Jared Zola, Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Team

Winter Storm Resources

Alan Rubin, Linda Kornfeld, and John E. Heintz







In the wake of two major winter storms and continuing frigid temperatures across much of the Lower 48, states of emergency have been declared for Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, and state governments across the southeast United States are operating under their own emergency declarations.

These events are forcing evacuations to emergency shelters, and first responders are overwhelmed across several states. The storms’ impacts will be widespread in the days and weeks to come, including challenges involving property damage, business interruption, and travel disruption for a large part of the country.

As power is restored, it will be important to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) and other state and local resources for assistance. In Texas, experts say the storms that left millions without power and water this week are expected to generate the most insurance claims stemming from a single event in state history.

Blank Rome’s interdisciplinary Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Team (“SWERT”) has developed the following resources for those affected by the storms, or with business interests in the affected regions, which we encourage you to share with your contacts via e-mail and/or social media:

Please share this information with anyone who has been impacted by the storms. These resources and many more can be found at our website at blankrome.com/SWERT. Our team stands ready to provide assistance on FEMA and insurance issues to individuals and businesses who are preparing for, or are impacted by, these events.

For additional information, please contact:

Alan Rubin, Principal, Blank Rome Government Relations
Linda Kornfeld, Partner and Vice Chair, Insurance Recovery Practice
John E. Heintz, Partner, Insurance Recovery Practice

Wildfire and Hurricane Resources

Linda Kornfeld, John E. Heintz, and Alan Rubin







As the 2020 severe weather season continues unabated, our thoughts are with those dealing with multiple historic wildfires in the western states and on the West Coast, as well as with those awaiting the landfall of Hurricane Sally in the Gulf Coast tomorrow. The long-duration hurricane is expected to cause historic flooding and extremely dangerous storm surge. In addition, the National Hurricane Center has issued advisories on five tropical cyclones over the Atlantic basin; this ties the record for the greatest number of tropical cyclones in that basin at one time.

These unprecedented events are forcing evacuations, and may cause widespread damage, business interruption, and travel disruption for a large part of the country for days and weeks to come.

Blank Rome’s interdisciplinary Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Team (“SWERT”) has developed the following resources for those in the path of the wildfires and the storms, or with business interests in the affected regions, which we encourage you to share with your contacts via e-mail and/or social media:

Written by attorneys in our national Insurance Recovery practice who work with policyholder clients in the wake of property damage and business interruption losses.

Developed by Alan Rubin of Blank Rome Government Relations, who has years of experience working with FEMA in the aftermath of disasters.

Please share this information with anyone who has been impacted by the fires. These resources and many more can be found at our website at blankrome.com/SWERT. Our team stands ready to provide assistance on FEMA and insurance issues to individuals and businesses who are preparing for, or are impacted by, these events.

For additional information, please contact:

Linda Kornfeld, Partner and Vice Chair, Insurance Recovery Practice
John E. Heintz, Partner, Insurance Recovery Practice
Alan Rubin, Principal, Blank Rome Government Relations

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