January 4, 2022
KCC Event Brief - Marshall Fire
KCC estimates the impacts of the Marshall Fire using the high-resolution KCC US Wildfire Reference Model.
2022
2021
December 14, 2021
KCC Event Brief - December 2021 Tornado Outbreak / Quad-State Tornado
KCC estimates the impacts of the December 2021 Tornado Outbreak / Quad-State Tornado using the high-resolution KCC SCS Reference Model.
November 6, 2021
Climate Change Impacts on Hurricanes and Insured Wind Losses
KCC discusses the impact of climate change on hurricanes and quantifies what this means for insured wind losses as well as the incorporation of climate change in the KCC US Hurricane Reference Model Version 3.0.
September 17, 2021
Hurricane Nicholas Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Hurricane Nicholas using the high-resolution US Hurricane Reference Model.
September 10, 2021
KCC Event Brief - M7.0 Mexico Earthquake
KCC estimates the impacts of the 2021 M7.0 Mexico Earthquake using the high-resolution KCC Mexico Earthquake Reference Model.
August 31, 2021
Hurricane Ida Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Hurricane Ida using the high-resolution KCC Caribbean and US Hurricane Reference Models.
August 25, 2021
Hurricane Grace Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Hurricane Grace using the high-resolution KCC Caribbean and Mexico Hurricane Reference Models.
August 24, 2021
Hurricane Henri Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Hurricane Henri using the high-resolution KCC US Hurricane Reference Model.
August 19, 2021
Tropical Storm Fred Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Tropical Storm Fred using the high-resolution KCC Caribbean and US Hurricane Reference Models.
August 17, 2021
KCC Executive Briefing – Conclusions of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6)
KCC discusses the highlights of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) released on August 9, 2021.
August 14, 2021
KCC Event Brief - M7.2 Haiti Earthquake
KCC estimates the impacts of the 2021 M7.2 Haiti Earthquake using the high-resolution KCC Caribbean Earthquake Reference Model.
July 9, 2021
Hurricane Elsa Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Hurricane Elsa in the US and Caribbean using the high-resolution KCC US and Caribbean Hurricane Reference Models.
January 25, 2021
2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season in Review
The 2020 hurricane season broke records for the number of named storms that formed in the Atlantic and for the number of named storms that made landfall in the US. Throughout the season, KCC monitored impacts of landfalling storms before, during, and after landfall. This report shares insights gleaned from the historic 2020 season.
2020
October 30, 2020
Hurricane Zeta Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Hurricane Zeta in the US and Mexico using the high-resolution KCC US and Mexico Hurricane Reference Models.
October 12, 2020
Hurricane Delta Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Hurricane Delta on the US and Mexico using the high-resolution KCC US and Mexico Hurricane Reference Models.
September 21, 2020
Hurricane Sally Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Hurricane Sally on the US using the high-resolution KCC US Hurricane Reference Model.
August 28, 2020
Hurricane Laura Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Hurricane Laura on the Caribbean and US using the high-resolution KCC US and Caribbean Hurricane Reference Models.
August 07, 2020
Hurricane Isaias Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Hurricane Isaias on the Caribbean and US using the high-resolution KCC US and Caribbean Hurricane Reference Models.
July 28, 2020
Hurricane Hanna Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Hurricane Hanna on the US using the high-resolution KCC US Hurricane Reference Model.
July 14, 2020
Tropical Storm Fay Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Tropical Storm Fay on the US using the high-resolution KCC US Hurricane Reference Model.
June 10, 2020
Tropical Storm Cristobal Flash Estimate
KCC estimates the impacts of Tropical Storm Cristobal on the US using the high-resolution KCC US Hurricane Reference Model.
May 26, 2020
COVID-19 and Hurricanes
Forecasters are in agreement that 2020 will be an above average hurricane season. The coronavirus pandemic will influence hurricane preparedness and response and will likely impact hurricane losses if there are landfalling events. This Event Brief examines potential impacts in three areas: preparation, claims adjusting, and reconstruction.
May 6, 2020
COVID-19: A Tale of Two Countries
Belgium has had more deaths per capita than any other country and two and a half times as many deaths per million as Sweden. Yet Belgium has instituted strict lockdown orders while Sweden did not. This Event Brief looks at data from the two countries to compare the relative effectiveness of different pandemic responses.
April 29, 2020
COVID-19: Data Analyses April 2020
The US is now more than two months into the Coronavirus crisis and much is being learned from the data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and state health departments. This Event Brief shares insights from KCC analyses of the available data on deaths and hospitalizations resulting from COVID-19.
2019
September 13, 2019
Lessons from Typhoon Jebi
Typhoon Jebi caused the highest insured losses from a typhoon in the Asia-Pacific region. This white paper examines the meteorological and historical context of this event, shares the results of a KCC post-event survey, and discusses the frequency and severity of tropical cyclones in Japan based on the KCC Japan Typhoon Reference Model.
September 10, 2019
Hurricane Dorian Flash Estimate
KCC estimates impacts in the Caribbean and US from Hurricane Dorian using the KCC high-resolution Hurricane Reference Model.
September 4, 2019
Hurricane Dorian Impacts on the Bahamas
Hurricane Dorian impacted the Bahamas with record wind speeds of 185 mph. In addition to the catastrophic intensity, the storm stalled over the Abaco and Grand Bahama Island. In this report, KCC estimates the impacts from this event.
August 27, 2019
Quantifying and Managing Japan Earthquake Risk
Japan has experienced some of the most devastating earthquakes in recent history, and even though the country has strong seismic building codes and construction techniques, it is at risk for very large loss producing events. This report examines factors contributing to earthquake risk in Japan, including the frequency and loss potential of large magnitude events, and how (re)insurers can effectively manage major earthquakes with the KCC US Japan Earthquake Reference Model.
July 23, 2019
Event Brief: Ridgecrest Earthquake
Following the 2019 Ridgecrest Earthquake, KCC has estimated the total loss from the event using the KCC US Earthquake Reference Model and conducted a post–event damage survey.
July 15, 2019
Hurricane Barry Flash Estimate
Based on the high–resolution KCC US Hurricane Reference Model, KCC has estimated insured loss from Hurricane Barry.
February 18, 2019
2018 Hurricane Season: Review and Analysis
The 2018 North Atlantic Hurricane Season was a slightly above average season, and four landfalling storms cause significant impacts to the US. KCC carefully monitored the impacts of hurricanes before, during, and after landfall and gleaned important insights.
2018
October 11, 2018
Michael Flash Estimate
Based on the high-resolution KCC US Hurricane Reference Model, KCC has estimated insured loss from Hurricane Michael.
September 17, 2018
Florence Flash Estimate
Based on the high-resolution KCC US Hurricane Reference Model, KCC has estimated insured loss from Hurricane Florence.
June 4, 2018
2017 Hurricane Season: Review and Analysis
The 2017 Hurricane season brought multiple major hurricanes to the US and Caribbean. Before, during, and after landfall, KCC monitored storms for potential impacts and provided industry loss estimates based on the KCC high-resolution hurricane reference model.
May 30, 2018
Alberto Flash Estimate
Based on the high-resolution KCC US Hurricane Reference Model, KCC has estimated insured loss from Hurricane Alberto.
May 22, 2018
SCS "Ring of Fire" Event Report
Based on the high-resolution KCC US Severe Convective Storm (SCS) Reference Model, KCC has estimated insured loss from a May 11-16 event.
April 9, 2018
Why Severe Convective Storm Losses Are Increasing
Over the past several years, insurers have experienced increasingly large losses from severe convective storms (SCS). KCC scientists have examined potential factors contributing to this increase, including long-term climate change and cyclical factors.
2017
October 10, 2017
Hurricane Nate - Impacts and KCC Flash Estimates
Based on the high-resolution KCC US Hurricane Reference Model, KCC has estimated insured loss from Hurricane Nate.
October 2, 2017
Hurricane Maria - Impacts and KCC Flash Estimates
Based on the high-resolution KCC Hurricane Reference Model, KCC has estimated insured loss from Hurricane Maria.
September 13, 2017
Hurricane Irma - Impacts and KCC Flash Estimates
Based on the high-resolution KCC Hurricane Reference Model, KCC has estimated insured loss from Hurricane Irma.
August 31, 2017
Hurricane Harvey - Impacts and KCC Flash Estimate
Based on the high-resolution KCC US Hurricane Reference Model, KCC has estimated insured loss from Hurricane Harvey.
2016
October 11, 2016
Hurricane Matthew - Impacts and KCC Flash Estimates
Based on the high-resolution KCC US Hurricane Reference Model, KCC has estimated insured loss from Hurricane Matthew in Florida.
August 5, 2016
Kumamoto Earthquakes Reconnaissance Survey Report
Dr. Nozar Kishi contributed to "The 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes: Cascading Geological Hazards and Compounding Risks," published in Frontiers in Built Environment, Volume 2.
2015
October 28, 2015
What Happens When a Hurricane Patricia Strikes the US
Hurricane Patricia could have been a lot worse had it made landfall in a more populated region of Mexico. This report examines the impacts of a storm like Patricia making landfall in a densely populated area of the US.
August 20, 2015
Most Vulnerable US Cities to Storm Surge Flooding
Hurricane Katrina was a stark reminder that strong winds are only part of the story when it comes to hurricanes. Storm surge is impacted by many factors, and different cities are highly susceptible to significant storm surge inundation.
June 2, 2015
Climate Change and Hurricane Loss: Perspectives for Investors
Investors need to be aware of short and long-term impacts of hurricanes on the catastrophe market. This paper provides context on climate change for investors.
Apr 13, 2015
Increasing Concentrations of Property Values and Catastrophe Risk in the US
Industry exposure has increased between 2012 and 2014 and correspondingly so has catastrophe loss potential. Characteristic Events (CEs) provide (re)insurers with a better understanding of location-level catastrophe loss potential.
Feb 4, 2015
Everything you need to build bespoke catastrophe models is HERE
RiskInsight®, KCC's open loss modeling platform, has the capability for users to create bespoke catastrophe models that fit their specific needs.
2014
Dec 2, 2014
KCC Event Brief - 2014 South Napa Earthquake
KCC scientists and engineers conducted post-event damage survey following the 2014 South Napa Earthquake. This provided a unique opportunity to validate the KCC US Earthquake Reference Model.
Jun 11, 2014
KCC Event Brief - 2014 La Habra Earthquake
Using the high-resolution KCC US Earthquake Reference Model, KCC scientists estimated the ground motion and insured loss for the 2014 La Habra Earthquake.
May 30, 2014
KCC White Paper - The 100 Year Hurricane
In any season, a major hurricane can cause a solvency-impairing loss to insurers and reinsurers. Characteristic Events (CEs) can be used as an additional risk metric to scientifically identify high-risk exposure concentrations.
May 30, 2014
KCC White Paper - Managing Hurricane Risk with Characteristic Events (CEs)
The Characteristic Event (CE) methodology provides transparent and intuitive information.
2013
October 29, 2013
Superstorm Sandy Anniversary Report
While Superstorm Sandy was unusual, future storms can result in even more severe damage to the Northeastern US. On the anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, KCC provides insight into the vulnerability of the Northeastern US to coastal storms and storm surge flooding.
September 13, 2013
The Great New England Hurricane of 1938
The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 was a deadly and devastating hurricane that made landfall in Bellport, Long Island. If the same event occurred today, the insured damages and economic losses could be larger than any other storm.
2012
December 10, 2012
Increasing Concentrations of Property Values in the US
As property values increase across the US, there are more concentrated pockets of exposure, particularly in areas vulnerable to natural catastrophes. RiskInsight® open and transparent risk management platform includes a detailed industry exposure database that enables effective risk management.
November 14, 2012
Superstorm Sandy Post Disaster Field Survey
KCC engineers completed a post disaster field survey of damage following Superstorm Sandy and collected key observations and insights.
August 21, 2012
Historical Hurricanes that Would Cause $10 Billion or More of Insured Losses Today
Twenty-eight storms are expected to cause $10 billion or more of insured losses if they were to occur again today, and one is estimated to cause losses in excess of $100 billion.
March 1, 2012
Hurricane Isaac
Hurricane Isaac made landfall at the end of August in Louisiana as a Category 1 hurricane. KCC has generate a windfield footprint for the storm.
January 30, 2012
Characteristic Events for Catastrophe Risk Management
Most insurance companies manage catastrophe risk at the 1 in 100 and 1 in 250 year return period losses. Characteristic Events (CEs) provide insurers with estimates of losses more directly tied to the scientific probability of events occurring.
2011
January 17, 2011
Near Term Hurricane Models Performance Update - January 2011
KCC's most recent evaluation of near-term hurricane models includes a discussion of more transparent models and comparison of actual to modeled results. The Hurricane Frequency Paradox and hurricane activity of the first decade of the 21st century are also discussed.
2010
January 19, 2010
Near Term Hurricane Models Performance Update - January 2010
The current report by KCC examines projected versus actual model losses for recent hurricanes and discusses why these comparisons are important for understanding model assumptions.