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Our thoughts and sympathy are with the victims of yesterday’s storms that took the lives of more than 200 people and caused widespread damage across many states but especially in Alabama and Mississippi. It is a reminder of how much the property insurance industry does to help people at a time like this. But it is also a reminder of how powerless and limited we are when lives are lost. That’s why Xactware is a strong supporter of efforts like those of IBHS, who work to develop standards and building methods that can save lives in tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters.
In the coming month I will be asking employees to help Habitat for Humanity build a home in our community and to participate in a range of service projects. We will do this to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of our company and with the victims of the past year’s natural disasters in our hearts and minds. As we do every year, we will also be fundraising for the United Way with matching funds available from our company.
The violent weather across the United States this April is breaking records. Before this April, the previous record for tornadoes was 267 set in 1974. As of April 27, 2011, 453 tornadoes have been reported. That compares to an overall April average of 163. Nationwide, during an average April, there are about 3,300 severe weather reports that include tornadoes as well as hail and high winds. This April there have been more than 6,500.
The end may not be in sight. Additional severe weather was reported today, the weather patterns are continuing, and some experts are projecting the stormy weather to continue well into May.
The cumulative effect of these storms has also shattered records here at Xactware. Traffic on our XactAnalysis network is at an all-time high and is up as much as 60 percent over the previous record set in 2010. Xactware is well prepared for events like these, and our networks are easily handling the additional load with no diminished performance or outages.
Our Xactware pricing team is also monitoring the effect of these storms on rebuilding prices and is reporting on their research at least once a month. All other Xactware teams, such as support and training, are actively working to help our customers complete the important work of restoring the homes and property of victims.
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