In Southern Tornadoes’ Aftermath, Army of Adjusters Toil to Tally Claims

The string of tornadoes that devastated the South and caused what experts are referring to as "hurricane-like" numbers of claims and billions in damages is proving to be an historic event for the overworked adjusters at the scene. "It looks like a bomb was dropped," said Drew Powell, general adjuster with Mobile, Ala.-based Davidson & Co. Inc. "I have seen a lot of tornadoes, but have never seen one like this." The devastation is incredible, adjusters said, with the only thing left of some buildings being the concrete slab on which they were built. Trees were snapped in half, power lines knocked down, roofs blown away. Whole city blocks and entire neighborhoods have been destroyed.