Ohio Insured Losses due to 2011 Storms Top $500 Million

A handful of major storms that damaged parts of Ohio this year have caused more than a half-billion dollars in insured losses.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports five storms have led to an estimated 125,000 claims and losses of $537 million or more. More than half that came when a series of tornadoes struck in May. The claims and damage estimates are expected to increase once the Ohio Insurance Institute finishes gathering data about a sixth storm this month.

Institute spokeswoman Mary Bonelli says the number of storm systems affecting the state has been unprecedented and led to an unusually high amount of damage.

National Weather Service meteorologist Gary Garnet in Cleveland says Ohio has had bad luck this year, with fast air currents repeatedly delivering poor weather.