In a year tied for the warmest on record globally, the U.S. was hit with costly hurricanes, wildfires, storms and drought. AP Photo/Noah Berger and Gerald Herbert
The year 2020 broke disaster records across the country in destructive and expensive ways. The Atlantic had so many hurricanes, meteorologists ran out of tropical storm names for only the second time. Across the Midwest, extreme storms flattened crops and tore up buildings. Western states repeatedly broke records for their largest wildfires on record. Globally, it was tied for the hottest year on record.
All told, in 2020 the U.S. had 22 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, six more than any previous year, NOAA announced on Jan. 8. Such disasters affect millions of Americans and are particularly devastating for low-income communities and communities of color. They destroy homes, schools and businesses. They put lives at risk.
24-08-2016
Mike Causey took the oath of office for his second term as North Carolina’s Insurance Commissioner on January 9, 2021.
Causey was sworn in by North Carolina Chief Justice Paul Newby in a socially distanced ceremony on the Executive Mansion grounds.
He pledged to spend the next four years working tirelessly to make insurance more transparent in North Carolina, to maintain a healthy insurance market and to protect insurance consumers throughout the state.
Causey’s priorities for the term include increasing efforts to fight insurance fraud, increasing transparency in health insurance, health care billing and prescription drug pricing, promoting hands-free legislation to increase driving safety and increasing support for the fire service.
Following Hurricane Sally, FEMA approved 7,986 individuals and households for $33 million in FEMA assistance, including $25.7 million approved for housing assistance and $7.3 million approved for other disaster-related needs.
503-684-3763, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
211info: 211info is a nonprofit organization funded by state and municipal contracts, foundations, United Ways, donations and community partners in Oregon and Southwest Washington. 211info empowers Oregon and Southwest Washington communities by helping people identify, navigate and connect with the local resources they need. To speak with a community information specialist about resources in your area: call
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866-698-6155; text your zip code to
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Federal Help is Still Available
Keep in touch with FEMA: Applicants should stay in touch with FEMA to ensure the disaster assistance process stays on track. Missing or incorrect information could result in delays in receiving assistance. Update contact information, report additional home damage or a delay in insurance claims in the following ways: