Tom:

You should probably change your last name to Jones...you and your jinx are being hunted down by the masses and there is no prize waiting for you! 

Ha Ha Mike,  You've been around long enough to know the norm.  Some of the new inductees from the 4 in 04 are probably saying, "What a strange hurricane season".

I like the statement on your profile, "Proficient with gas grills, but prefer charcoal."

..........Now that is funny.

I am thankful this year, my prediction (Guess) was accurate.

Disclaimer:

Predictions for future years subject to change without notice and are determined by my own personal situation.  However, I predict there will be at least one more hurricane some time in the next 20 years that hits somewhere on the coast of the United States.  Please also take note that it is not my intention or desire that any persons, entities or property be damaged or harmed by any man made act or act of nature, of which, causes me to be employed or hired contractually to assist in the insurance process.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2662638

Atlantic hurricane forecasts missed by big margin

Nov 17, 2006 — MIAMI (Reuters) - The noted hurricane forecasting team led by Dr. William Gray at laceName w:st="on">ColoradolaceName>laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType>laceType w:st="on">UniversitylaceType> has not missed by this…

It looks like $4 billion was bet on a weak 2006 hurricane season. Maybe we should watch what the money is doing before we place our bets next year to help insure we have a winning bet.

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/hurricane/2006-11-18-catastropheprofits_x.htm

Quiet hurricane season means big profits for catastrophe bondholders

 11/18/2006 10:54 AM ET

The amount invested in the field has doubled since last year, with more than $4 billion issued in catastrophe bonds in 2006, according to Rodrigo Araya, senior vice president of Moody's Investor Services.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/06/katrina.gao.report/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

GAO report: Hurricane Fraud soaked taxpayers

POSTED: 5:59 a.m. EST, December 6, 2006

Story Highlights

• GAO says $20 million paid to "double-dipping" Katrina-Rita victims
• Government gave $3 million to students who weren't U.S. citizens
• People living in rent-free housing still received money to pay rent
• FEMA also sent nearly $17 million in rental aid to people in FEMA trailers

So maybe any reopens in NO will not be that much of a big deal for the industry as a whole.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2006/12/21/cnins21.xml

Hurricanes hardly happened, so it's a good year for the insurers

Last Updated: 12:18am GMT 22/12/2006

"After years of record losses, property insurers appear to be getting off lightly in 2006," Swiss Re said. "Catastrophe losses of only $15bn will allow them to replenish their risk capital, depleted by record payments for hurricane damage in 2005 and 2004."

Bill's comment was regarding anonymous, not exclusive.

If you look to your profile, and then the rules directly below it...posts to the Cat Central require a 1st & last name in the profile.  Guess the computer recognizes you as Mr America.

Edit note:   Roy beat me to it and deleted the prior posts made by a PA firm.   Otherwise the above may have made sense.