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New York Press Office: (212) 346-5500; media@iii.org

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NEW YORK, October 3, 2013 — Reporters covering Tropical Storm Karen are encouraged to contact the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Information Institute (I.I.I.) for insurance coverage issues, claims-filing tips and facts and statistics on hurricanes and tropical storms.

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Tropical Storm Karen is expected to make landfall as a hurricane on Saturday night, October 5, somewhere along the Gulf Coast of the United States. Tropical storms are upgraded to hurricanes after they generate maximum sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour (mph). Hurricane and tropical storm watches have been posted for the Gulf Coast from Florida to Louisiana.

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The 2013 Atlantic hurricane season has to date produced 11 named storms, including Karen. The first Atlantic hurricane of this season, Humberto, reached hurricane force on September 11, but did not make landfall. The only first hurricane to form later than Humberto was Hurricane Gustav in 2002. Ingrid, the second 2013 hurricane, made landfall in Mexico on September 16.

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Wind damage from both tropical storms and hurricanes is covered under standard homeowners and business insurance policies. Flood damage resulting from storm surge caused by hurricanes, is excluded; however flood coverage is available both from the (NFIP) and from a few private insurance companies. Damage to cars from wind is covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy.

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To arrange a media interview, please call the I.I.I.’s Media Relations department at 212-346-5500 or the I.I.I.’s Florida media representative Lynne McChristian at 813-480-6446. For information and resources on hurricanes and insurance, see below.

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RESOURCES

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