2015 Winter Weather Predicted to be Snowy and Wet

The 2015 Farmers’ Almanac predicts “copious amounts of snow and rain” over the eastern third of the country. In fact, along the Atlantic Seaboard active wintry weather is expected for the first 10 days of January and the first week of February with bouts of heavy snow and strong winds.

Flooding related to snow melting can overburden sewer systems, causing raw sewage to back up into the drains of homes. Backed up sewers can wreak havoc, causing thousands of dollars in damage to floors, walls, furniture and electrical systems.

Water damage and freezing account for almost 22 percent of all homeowners insurance claims and average $4,024 per claim, according to the I.I.I.

Winter storms are the third-largest cause of catastrophe losses, behind only hurricanes and tornadoes, causing $1.9 billion in insured losses in 2013, up dramatically from $38 million in 2012, according to Munich Re. From 1993 to 2012 winter storms resulted in about $28 billion in insured catastrophe losses (in 2012 dollars), or more than $1 billion a year on average, according to Property Claim Services (PCS).

Source: I.I.I.