From the FEMA Sit  Report

"Severe weather hit the East Coast late Thursday night and into Friday morning causing damage to homes and businesses and some road closures.  The strong storms moved from Mississippi and Alabama through western North Carolina and western Virginia bringing damaging winds, large hail and heavy rains.  The North Carolina Emergency Operation Center (EOC) reported an unconfirmed tornado overturned several vehicles off Interstate 40 and NC Road 68 in central North Carolina.  The state EOC was activated and reported that no State assistance has been requested. 

In Virginia, the state EOC received information of possible tornado activity in Stafford County, south of Washington, DC.  Early unconfirmed reports indicate some residences and buildings sustained moderate storm damage.  High water levels and debris (trees) closed a few roads; however, no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported. 

Both Virginia and Maryland EOCs are monitoring flash flood warnings closely since more than three inches of rain has fallen in many areas and more is expected.  The Maryland EOC has not received any tornado reports; however, the powerful storm has caused approximately 5,000 power outages in the Montgomery and Prince George's counties.  (Regions III and IV, and Media Sources)"

Area related news.

North Carolina
 Guilford County Tornado Damage
Tornado Damage And Flooding Reported Throughout Triad
Reported twister tears through central North Carolina

Tennessee
Tornadoes hit Middle Tennessee

Mississippi
No injuries reported in possible tornado in Tupelo, Miss.

Oklahoma
Damages reported throughout Oklahoma County

"Homeowners Choice has assumed more than 23,000 policies from Citizens, representing $66 million in annualized premiums, the filing said. About 85 percent of Homeowners Choice policies are homeowners' insurance policies. and the remaining 15 percent are a combination of policies written for condominium-owners and tenants." (source: bizjournals.com)

"Slightly More Storms than Average with Increased Chances for Landfalls in North America

AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center meteorologists, led by Chief Long-Range and Hurricane Forecaster Joe Bastardi, have released a preliminary hurricane season forecast for 2008. They believe the waning La Niña conditions and a continued warm water cycle in the Atlantic Basin will be the two defining factors influencing the 2008 hurricane season, causing the number of storms to be slightly above average but, more importantly, increasing the chance for U.S. landfalling storms.

"The warming is not uniform across the entire Atlantic. In some areas where hurricanes normally form - the central and eastern tropical Atlantic - ocean water temperatures are near or below normal. This should limit the number of storms, so we do not expect a near record high number like in the 2005 season. However, considering other factors, the number of storms should be slightly higher than historical averages", said Bastardi. "The warmest waters relative to normal will be in the northern areas of the Atlantic, especially toward the North American continent. This could potentially increase the threat of major landfalls to the U.S. coast." (source:accuweather.com)

"JERSEY CITY, N.J., April 29, 2008 — U.S. property/casualty insurers are expected to pay homeowners and businesses an estimated $3.35 billion for first-quarter property losses resulting from nine catastrophes.

The nine events identified as catastrophes by PCS include an event PCS declared a catastrophe solely for the workers compensation loss associated with a February explosion at a sugar refinery in Georgia. This declaration is in keeping with PCS’s commitment to identify events affecting the property/casualty industry. Currently, no estimate of the extent of the insured workers compensation loss has been determined. The analysis in this press release excludes that catastrophe.

PCS estimates that the remaining eight catastrophes of first-quarter 2008 generated 615,000 claims in 22 states. Seven of these were caused by severe weather — damaging wind, large hail, flooding, and tornadoes — and one was caused by a winter storm.

“The remaining eight events still represent the greatest frequency in the first quarter since 1999 — tied with the eight events declared in 2005,” said Gary Kerney, assistant vice president, PCS. “The insured property loss, however, remains the largest in the last decade.”

Of the 22 states, the five with the largest insured property losses were Georgia ($610 million), Tennessee ($535 million), California ($360 million), Texas ($270 million), and Arkansas ($223 million)." (source:Insurance Services Office, iso.com)

"SUFFOLK, Va. (AP) — Weary residents and business owners, some awakening in emergency shelters, were preparing to see what was left of their homes and livelihoods Tuesday after three tornadoes smashed houses, tossed cars and injured than 200 residents.

One twister in this city outside Norfolk cut a fickle, zigzagging path 25 miles long through neighborhoods, obliterating some homes and spraying splintered wood across lawns while leaving those standing just a few feet away untouched.

Several roads were closed Tuesday morning, and traffic was backed up leading into downtown Suffolk. Cars remained abandoned alongside some roads.

Suffolk city officials said rescue crews had gone through damaged areas and homes overnight and planned to keep searching for victims." (source:Associated Press )