Released: September 24, 2009

Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon reminds Louisianans of the continued importance of being properly prepared and insured as we observe the 4th anniversary of Hurricane Rita. Rita made landfall on September 24, 2005, near Johnson’s Bayou in Cameron Parish as a Category 3 storm with winds of 115 miles per hour. Rita was the second worst insured loss event in Louisiana history causing over $2.6 billion in insured damage in our state.

“Hurricane season does not end until November 30 so we’re not out of the woods yet,” Commissioner Donelon noted. “So far, this Atlantic hurricane season has seen only six named storms. However, 2005 is a prime example of the disastrous effects caused by a late forming hurricane.” On October 24, one month after Rita, Hurricane Wilma hit Florida with a devastating blow. Wilma was the most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic. “We were blessed that the loss of life associated with Rita was not comparable to the deaths caused by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Audrey in 1957 that also hit Cameron Parish,” Donelon said.

Last September, two hurricanes seriously impacted Louisiana. Gustav made landfall in Terrebonne Parish near Cocodrie on September 1, 2006, as a Category 2 hurricane. Insured damages from Gustav currently top $2.2 billion in Louisiana alone. Hurricane Ike made landfall over Galveston, Texas on September 13, also as a Category 2 hurricane, but the storm surge preceding Ike flooded coastal areas in south central and southwestern Louisiana, hitting Cameron Parish hardest. “Properties in many parishes suffered severe damage first from Gustav then from Ike less than two weeks later,” Commissioner Donelon said. In Louisiana, Ike’s total insured claims payments currently top $475 million.

“Property owners need to make sure they have the right coverage in the right amount before it’s too late,” said Donelon. “Flood insurance is so important and relatively inexpensive. But don’t wait until a storm is approaching to purchase flood insurance, as it takes 30 days after purchase for a flood insurance policy to go into effect. Also, most companies restrict the sale of insurance once a hurricane or tropical storm enters the Gulf of Mexico,” Donelon added.