Hailstorms, Heat and Wildfires
The costliest wildfire in Texas history erupted on Labor Day weekend in Bastrop County. The result was the loss of two lives and 1,600 homes destroyed by fire. Insured losses were set at $325 million.
The summer of 2011 will be remembered for its triple digit temperatures occurring over a record number of days. Lake levels fell rapidly preventing many people from taking advantage of personal recreation on the water. Water restrictions, burn bans and loss of crops and yards were the norm. The majority of Texas ranchers reduced their herds of cattle because of the lack of water and increasing cost for feed. Texans who tried to beat the heat by staying inside felt the cost in the form of higher utility bills.
“Unfortunately the drought in Texas continues and so do the wildfires,” said Mark Hanna, a spokesman for the Insurance Council of Texas. “2011 was by far the costliest year for wildfires in Texas and an above average year for damaging storms. We can only hope that much needed rainfall is on its way and the destructive storms are kept to a minimum.”