Natural catastrophes over the past week are proving costly for the southern US.

In Georgia, flooding has caused an estimated $US250 million ($287.5 million) in losses, most of that amount uninsured.

The state’s Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine says many homeowners afflicted by the event aren’t covered for flood – a peril not included in standard domestic policies.

In Texas, hail “the size of baseballs” pounded El Paso, causing insured losses of more than $US150 million ($172.5 million). The Insurance Council of Texas estimates 10,000 homes and 20,000 vehicles were damaged.