A Cluster of Winter Storms Slams the UK over the Holidays: AIR Worldwide

December 28, 2013 Guest Author

BOSTON, Dec. 28, 2013 — According to catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide, over the last several days, a series of three winter storms (named Christian, Dirk, and Erich) cut power to hundreds of thousands of homes across the UK and France and flooded an estimated 1,200 homes across the UK. As of Friday afternoon local time, an estimated 13,000 homes were still without power. Trains, ferries, and aircraft have experienced significant delays and cancellations. Extratropical cyclones, also known as winter storms, form when a warm, tropical air mass interacts with…

Heavy Rains Cause Flash Flooding in Ireland, Southwest England and Wales

October 27, 2011 Guest Author

According to catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide, torrential rainfall has caused widespread disruption and damage on both sides of the Irish Sea, although the Dublin area has been the hardest hit. The flooding was triggered by an active frontal wave moving north to south through eastern Ireland. Flood waters have inundated Dublin and surrounding counties, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of homes and businesses. Sandbags were deployed in coastal regions as there were fears a late high tide would penetrate low-lying areas. Flooding backed up drainage systems and caused transportation…