Sunday, April 28, 2013
Insurance companies blame 2011's Tropical Storm Irene, Halloween nor'easter — not Sandy — for highest in nation auto rate increase.
New Jersey motorists, who currently pay among the highest rates for auto insurance now, are going to have to dig a bit deeper into their wallets to pay for increases in auto insurance, according to published report Sunday. Insurers and state regulators are saying Hurricane Sandy, which devastated portions of the state including the Jersey Shore, is not the reason for state approving rate increases for 26 insurers thus far in 2013, according to a NorthJersey.com report. Instead, officials blame the rate increases on losses related to Tropical Storm Irene and the Halloween nor’easter from two years ago, medical costs that continue to rise, reinsurance expenses and dim forecasts of investment income, the report said. Allstate, New Jersey …
Friday, August 3, 2012
Report attributes rising number of severe storms to global warming
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Friday, August 3, 2012
By Tom Johnson, NJ Spotlight If it seems like when it rains, it pours these days, it apparently is more often the case. At least that is the conclusion of a new study by Environment New Jersey, which analyzed reams of state data from the National Climatic Data Center dating back to 1948 through 2011. The new report found that heavy downpours that used to happen every 12 months on average in New Jersey now occur every nine months on average. Moreover, the biggest storms are getting bigger. The largest annual storms in New Jersey now produce 22 percent more precipitation, on average than they did 65 years ago, according to the study. To Environment New Jersey, an advocacy group that has been pushing for more controls on greenhouse gas …
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Hurricane committee replaces Irene with Irma
Bergen County residents won't soon forget Hurricane Irene, which came storming in Aug. 28, or the damage that it left in its wake. Irene caused so much destruction along the eastern seaboard that the World Meteorological Organization’s hurricane committee announced Friday that Irene's name has been retired and replaced by Irma. The announcement, made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said that Irene is the 76th name to be retired from the Atlantic list since 1954. Irene became a hurricane on Aug. 22, 2011, and intensified to a Category 3 hurricane when it made contact with the Bahamas. Irene made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in North Carolina on Aug. 27 before hammering the eastern seaboard with fierce …
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Scientists at climate change conference blame extremes on need to cut carbon pollution
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Saturday, March 31, 2012
By Tom Johnson, NJ Spotlight The past year has witnessed an extraordinary number of extreme weather events in New Jersey. It had its wettest August on record, leading to widespread flooding, and a rare October snowstorm, which left hundreds of thousands without power, to name just two. “Millions of New Jerseyans have lived through extreme weather, causing extremely big problems for New Jersey’s economy and our public safety,’’ said Matt Elliott, clean energy advocate for Environment New Jersey. “Given that global warming will likely fuel even more extreme weather, we need to cut dangerous carbon pollution now.’’ But while there is an overwhelming consensus among climate scientists that man-made activities are causing the planet to warm, …
Monday, November 28, 2011
Deadline for filing proof of loss claims extended to Jan. 23, 2012
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced a 60-day extension for the proof of loss deadline for flood victims of Hurricane Irene from Nov. 23, 2011 to Jan. 23, 2012 under the National Flood Insurance Program. The extension goes into effect for flood policyholders in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia with dates of loss between Aug. 26 and Sept. 4. FEMA can be contacted toll-free at (800) 462-7585. Lines are open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Long-term unemployed individuals or individuals who were temporarily or permanently dislocated by Hurricane Irene are eligible
The Bergen County Disaster Relief Employment Program that was announced in September to provide out-of-work individuals with temporary jobs doing county-wide disaster cleanup is now underway, a county press release announced Thursday. The program, which is paid for by a National Emergency Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, pairs unemployed individuals with municipalities that need help clearing debris or removing property damaged in Hurricane Irene. There are currently 11 people performing cleanup in Lodi and New Milford as part of the program, and up to 25 more will be employed by three to four other municipalities in the next two weeks. Workers eligible for the temporary employment program must be considered long-term unemployed (…
Monday, October 24, 2011
Final of four state hearings at Ramapo College campus
The state Board of Public Utilities will hold a public hearing on New Jersey utilities’ response to Hurricane Irene Monday at Ramapo College, according to a notice posted by the board at the end of September. The last of four public hearings held around the state this month, the hearing is happening in the Trustees Pavilion at Ramapo College beginning at 4 p.m. Residents are encouraged to attend the event to express their opinions. “The purpose of these hearings is to solicit public comments regarding the state of preparedness and responsiveness of the local electric distribution companies prior to, during and after Hurricane Irene,” according to the release. Those who cannot make it to the meeting can still submit written comments to the …
Friday, October 21, 2011
Deadline extended to Nov. 30.
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Friday, October 21, 2011
At the request of the state, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is extending the registration deadline for renters, homeowners and business owners who suffered damage from Hurricane Irene. Those affected by the storm and flooding now have until Nov. 30 to register for disaster assistance. “We've extended the registration deadline for people who–for whatever reason–have not had the opportunity to register for assistance,” said William L. Vogel, FEMA's federal coordinating officer. “The goal is to ensure all eligible Irene survivors have the chance to seek assistance.” There are three ways to register: go to www.disasterassistance.gov, m.fema.gov or call FEMA toll-free, 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Those with access or functional needs …
Monday, October 17, 2011
Of special interest: how utilities planned, restored power, and communicated with local officials and customers
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Monday, October 17, 2011
by Tom Johnson of NJSpotlight.com The state is broadening its investigation into how New Jersey's four electric utilities handled events in the wake of Hurricane Irene, a storm that left 1.8 million people without power at one point or another. Acting on a recommendation from staff, the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) authorized the hiring of a special consultant to analyze how the utilities planned, executed restoration efforts, and communicated with local officials and their customers during the days following the storm -- which has been described by one official as the worst weather-related event for electric utilities in the state's history. The decision to retain a consultant comes even before the agency has concluded a series of …
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Swollen river from Hurricane Irene carves new path through farmland
Local musicians will band together next week to hold a benefit concert for Teaneck native Kara Fitzgerald, whose Vermont farm, called Evening Song, was washed away on Aug. 28 during Hurricane Irene. “Afternoon Songs for Evening Song” will feature a talented lineup of familiar names, including jazz musicians Reggie Pittman, Loren Daniels and Alex Collins; singer-songwriter Joanna Schubert; members of the bluegrass groups Blue Plate Special and the Cumberland Avenue Band; classic-rock ensemble Ad Hoc Ad Loc; and father-and-daughter guitar/vocal act Roxanne and Joe Sharone. Elliott Forrest, an announcer on WQXR and WNYC radio in New York, will host the concert, which will take place from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 24 in Carroll Hall at St. Mark’s …
Peggy Davison
1:17 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
Thanks for the link Chris! After reading the article, I too am confused as to why our rates are so high, and rising. It simply does not make any sense! more ›