It Figures

5
Number of days California experienced freezing temperatures in January, which wreaked havoc on the state’s citrus crops.

148
Number of extra emergency sirens the Honolulu Star Bulletin says are needed to cover gaps in the state’s four counties. Emergency sirens are used to warn people about tsunamis and other natural disasters. AP

11
Items on the list of recommendations the Oregon Construction Claims Task Force suggested could help protect homeowners from construction defects and ensure liability insurance for contractors is more affordable. Among the recommendations was for insurers to provide a discount for contractors who adopt the task force’s recommendations and perform other best practices.

13%
The increase in the amount of federal flood policies that were sold from Nov. 2005 to Nov. 2006, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

1,600
Miles of levees in California’s Central Valley that are being examined to see whether they can be designated as 100-year flood protected. FEMA is remapping flood areas in light of Katrina. Officials believe levees in Natomas near Sacramento, Calif., are substandard.

$500 billion
Amount in private equity transactions that occurred in 2006, according to Andrew Rosen, partner with HM Capital Partners.