N.J. top tornado risk

OLDWICK, N.J.—New Jersey tops the list of states with the highest average expected, or modeled, insured losses per 1,000 square miles from tornadoes and related weather events, according to a report issued last week by A.M. Best Co. Inc.

The Garden State, far from the "Tornado Alley" of the Great Plains, is followed by Connecticut, Massachusetts, Ohio and Rhode Island in terms of highest modeled losses from such violent weather, Best reported.

According to the Oldwick, N.J.-based rating agency, the five states' high average loss rates "are affected heavily by insured property values, in addition to the frequency of the storms."

Tornadoes and related weather events caused more than $8 billion in insured losses nationwide in 2006, the worst year for such losses on record, according to Best. The rating agency noted that the first three months of this year saw an estimated 334 tornadoes, up 65% over the prior-year period.