 Hurricane Delta has maintained Category 3 strength with winds around 120 MPH. However, shear and cooler waters have started to weaken the storm and this will continue as it approaches the coast this evening. We anticipate Delta to make landfall as a Category 2 along the western Louisiana coast later this evening. Delta’s landfall is projected about 15 miles east of where Hurricane Laura made landfall back in August.
Impacts are starting to be felt along the Gulf coast. Tropical storm force winds will be felt from east Texas to Mississippi. Heavy rain, potentially up to 10 inches, will impact Louisiana with widespread rain into Texas and inland Louisiana up to 6 inches. There is also potential for tornadic activity east of the storm into Mississippi. Our commercial and residential field teams are prepared and ready for deployment. We are still unsure if desk adjuster positions will be needed for Mississippi, as it will be not be affected until late tonight and early Saturday. We will keep those of you on standby informed.
 On the forecast track, the center of Sally will move over the north-central Gulf of Mexico today, approach southeastern Louisiana this afternoon, and make landfall in the hurricane warning area on Tuesday. Afterward, Sally is expected to move slowly north northeastward near the northern Gulf Coast through Wednesday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected over the next day or so, and Sally is forecast to become a hurricane by tonight, with additional strengthening possible before the center crosses the northern Gulf Coast.
A big threat is inland flooding as Sally is moving at a forward speed of only 8 MPH and is expected to slow or stall at landfall dropping 15” t0 20” of rain in some areas. Our teams have been deployed and are undergoing JIT Training for MS Plans at this time. Commercial adjusters are also on stand-by for deployment at landfall. TD-19 has now become TS Sally, the 18th named storm of 2020. By the image below, it is clear we are in the height of the season.  TS Sally is into the Gulf and as forecasted, has now intensified to a tropical storm. Sally brought heavy rains and 40 MPH wind gusts to South Florida overnight and this heavy rain and 30 mph winds will continue on the West cost of FL as Sally moves NNW throughout the day today. Sally is expected to intensify to a strong CAT 1 by landfall in LA, a few models have it at CAT 2.
 Hurricane Laura made landfall this morning as a strong CAT 4 around 1:05 am CDT. The surge was projected to be 21’ in areas and the highest reported was 11’; therefore, the surge impacts were greatly diminished. The wind was as advertised in Lake Charles and Cameron Louisiana, with gusts reaching near 134 mph in Lake Charles before the instrument was damaged, so likely gusts up to 150 mph. Laura has been downgraded to a tropical storm and still producing wind gusts in the 40’s and 50’s. It will hit Little Rock later this afternoon and then move into the TN River Valley, through KY and exiting around Richmond back into the Atlantic.
Claims have already started coming in and teams have been deployed. Our prayers are with the people affected by the storm and we wish you a speedy recovery process.
 After piloting the HOVER app for the past few weeks, Leading Edge partners with HOVER to increase efficiency and accuracy in resolving commercial and homeowner claims throughout the United States. Leading Edge will utilize HOVER as another addition to our state-of-the-art, virtual adjusting solutions. As stated in our news article on April 9, 2020, Leading Edge previously worked with several of the largest aerial imagery companies to provide roof and exterior measurements, while only receiving a 74% success rate, or 26% fail rate on rural America claims. Subsequently, Leading Edge decided to take a look into HOVER. With HOVER, all measurements are obtained by taking eight (8) photos from the ground by an adjuster, inspector, or even the homeowner pushing the success rate to a near 100%.  ABOUT HOVER
HOVER has been offering their software since 2013 in the exterior home improvement industry and storm restoration arena. In 2016, they began moving into the insurance underwriting and claims market. HOVER currently works with 9 of the top 10 insurance carriers in the US and has signed up over 60 insurance partners over the last two years. Prior to 2013, they worked directly with the Department of Defense for 3D modeling solutions to facilitate urban mapping used in mission planning and rehearsal.  Del Rio, TX Del Rio, TX gets slammed with baseball size hail on April 11, 2020. A Leading Edge Claims' catastrophe response team was initiated and our field adjusters mobilized to the area to assist with the claim inspections immediately. We wish all the families and businesses with damage our best as you start to repair and rebuild your properties and restore your lives.  East Texas
On April 12, 2020, with the ground already saturated from rain, strong winds caused trees to uproot and damage properties across East Texas. Local adjusters and a small portion of our catastrophe response team has been deployed to assist these policyholders in need. Leading Edge Claims Service - Leading the Way in Times of Crisis! After working with the several of the largest aerial imagery companies to provide roof and exterior measurements, while only receiving a 74% success rate, or 26% fail rate, Leading Edge decided to take a look into HOVER. With HOVER, all measurements are obtained by taking only eight (8) photos from the ground by an adjuster, inspector, or even the homeowner.
HOVER has been offering their software since 2013 in the exterior home improvement industry and storm restoration arena. In 2016, they began moving into the insurance underwriting and claims market. HOVER currently works with 9 of the top 10 insurance carriers in the US and has signed up over 60 insurance partners over the last two years. Prior to 2013, they worked directly with the Department of Defense for 3D modeling solutions to facilitate urban mapping used in mission planning and rehearsal. We look forward to the pilot and are hoping for a successful partnership. Across the globe, individuals, families, communities, and businesses are adjusting to a new reality considering the COVID-19 pandemic. We extend heartfelt sympathy to anyone impacted by the virus, and sincere gratitude to the healthcare workers and organizations on the front lines, battling this unprecedented disease.
Needless to say, the safety and well-being of our team, partners, carriers, and the communities in which we live and work, is our top priority. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak is causing a host of unique challenges. However, I want to assure you that Leading Edge Claims Service is fully operational and that there has been no disruption in our service. In addition, we have taken measures to minimize any potential effect on you, your policyholders, and members for the duration of this health crisis. Among them:
We have created a COVID-19 Resource Site for our independent adjusters and staff that can help them stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 information and provide notification to us of any possible illness or symptoms they are experiencing. Feel free to utilize this resource and share with your employees if you wish. Our thoughts and best wishes are with you and all your staff who continue to work hard during this crisis. Please stay safe and we appreciate your partnership and support. Troy S. Hansen | President |
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