ArcGIS Keeps Insurers in the Know

This year’s hurricane season brought some pretty intense storms our way. 2011 churned up many severe tropical storms such as Arlene, Bret, Emily, Harvey, Maria, and Rina. Those of us on the East Coast remember the pandamonium and alert of Irene as she worked her way up Eastern shores.

Meteorologists always track tropical storms, but did you know that insurers and reinsurers do as well? Companies actually use ArcGIS technology and data from Esri to calculate risk in their coverage areas and make the decisions they need in order to help hurricane victims recuperate as quickly as possible. Hurricane Irene, for example, caused major flooding and wind damage along the East Coast last August. This damage is just one example of the importance of knowing the exact location of both insured properties and the intensity of the storm.

Amica Mutual Insurance, for example, is one of the companies that uses ArcGIS to track major storms. Amica used ArcGIS to track Hurricane Irene and view forecasted wind speeds from NOAA’s NowCoast Web Map Services. To learn more read Amica’s story.

ArcGIS is changing the way we stay safe and recover from severe weather. To learn more about how Esri is helping keep us safe when Mother Nature roars, check out Esri’s ArcWatch.

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