PRC.15.1.1 a Publication of AXA XL Risk Consulting
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Property Risk Consulting Guidelines PRC.15.1.1 A Publication of AXA XL Risk Consulting WINDSTORMS INTRODUCTION A variety of windstorms occur throughout the world on a frequent basis. Although most winds are related to exchanges of energy (heat) between different air masses, there are a number of weather mechanisms that are involved in wind generation. These depend on latitude, altitude, topography and other factors. The different mechanisms produce windstorms with various characteristics. Some affect wide geographical areas, while others are local in nature. Some storms produce cooling effects, whereas others rapidly increase the ambient temperatures in affected areas. Tropical cyclones born over the oceans, tornadoes in the mid-west and the Santa Ana winds of Southern California are examples of widely different windstorms. The following is a short description of some of the more prevalent wind phenomena. A glossary of terms associated with windstorms is provided in PRC.15.1.1.A. The Beaufort Wind Scale, the Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Cyclone Severity Scale and the Fugita Tornado Scale are also provided in PRC.15.1.1.A. Types Of Windstorms Local Windstorms A variety of wind conditions are brought about by local factors, some of which can generate relatively high wind conditions. While they do not have the extreme high winds of tropical cyclones and tornadoes, they can cause considerable property damage. Many of these local conditions tend to be seasonal. Cold weather storms along the East coast are known as Nor’easters or Northeasters. While their winds are usually less than hurricane velocity, they may create as much or more damage. While the hurricane moves fairly rapidly, the slow-moving Nor’easter may bring winds of 50 mph – 60 mph (80 km/h – 97 km/h) for hours or even days. Another form of very strong winds are “Downslope winds.” One form of downslope wind that develops along the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains is known as a “Chinook.” These winds are not only strong, but are warm and dry. They can raise the local temperatures, causing a high rate of snowmelt, resulting in flooding. The “Santa Ana” winds in Southern California are hot and dry, establishing conditions for severe forest fires. In Alaska, “Williwaws” have gusts of up to 70 mph (113 km/h) in almost every month, along exposed portions of the southeast, south and southwest coasts. Thunderstorms These are usually small but intense local storms. They may form as a series of squalls along a frontal system and can produce winds in excess of 65 mph (104 km/h). Thunderstorms can spawn tornadoes and produce heavy rains, hail and lightning, which could cause property damage. 100 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06103 Copyright 2020, AXA XL Risk Consulting Global Asset Protection Services, LLC, AXA Matrix Risk Consultants S.A. and their affiliates (“AXA XL Risk Consulting”) provide loss prevention and risk assessment reports and other risk consulting services, as requested. In this respect, our property loss prevention publications, services, and surveys do not address life safety or third party liability issues. This document shall not be construed as indicating the existence or availability under any policy of coverage for any particular type of loss or damage. The provision of any service does not imply that every possible hazard has been identified at a facility or that no other hazards exist. AXA XL Risk Consulting does not assume, and shall have no liability for the control, correction, continuation or modification of any existing conditions or operations. We specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that compliance with any advice or recommendation in any document or other communication will make a facility or operation safe or healthful, or put it in compliance with any standard, code, law, rule or regulation. Save where expressly agreed in writing, AXA XL Risk Consulting and its related and affiliated companies disclaim all liability for loss or damage suffered by any party arising out of or in connection with our services, including indirect or consequential loss or damage, howsoever arising. Any party who chooses to rely in any way on the contents of this document does so at their own risk. AXA, the AXA and XL logos are trademarks of AXA SA or its affiliates © 2020 AXA SA or its affiliates. PRC.15.1.1 Thunderstorms occur worldwide and tend to occur in warm weather. They tend not to seriously damage well-designed buildings or structures. They can, however, damage roofs, signs, cranes, buildings under construction and unprotected property. Severe thunderstorms can strike anywhere in the world. On February 16 to 17, 1962, Storm Vincinette crossed England damaging 150,000 houses in Sheffield before it moved in to the North Sea. Once in the North Sea it headed toward Germany. Along with the high tide, the resulting storm surge from the storm pushed water up the Weser and Elbe Rivers, causing breaches in dikes and extensive flooding, and killing 315 people. In southeastern England and northern France the “Great Storm of 1987” killed 24 people and uprooted 15 million trees in England alone. The highest wind gust was recorded at Pointe du Raz in Brittany, 134 mph (217 km/h). In December 1999 two storms Lothar (160 mph (250 km/h)) and Martin (123 mph (198 km/h)) passed through France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland within two days. These two storms killed 140 people and left 3.4 million customers in France without electricity. The total costs resulting from both storms was estimated at almost $19.2 billion (over $27.8 billion in 2017). Tornadoes The tornado is nature’s most violent storm. It can cause severe loss over a limited area. The intensity and localization of a tornado is evidenced by the swath of destruction along a path through “undamaged” areas. A “strong” tornado may be 200 yds (180 m) wide, have vortex winds on the order of 200 mph (322 km/h), a forward travel speed of 30 mph (48 km/h) and may maintain touchdown along a path 2 mi (3 km) long. Tornadoes have been indexed on the Fujita Tornado Wind Intensity scale to F-12. The most common occurrence is in the F-0 to F-5 range. Damage may be near total destruction to everything above grade within the 2 mi (3 km) long and 200 yd (180 m) path. This constitutes a very narrow and short damage zone compared to the overall weather system. In contrast, a hurricane or tropical cyclone may make landfall with winds of 135 mph (217 km/h), extend over an area of statewide dimension and have a forward travel speed of 10 mph – 15 mph (16 km/h – 24 km/h). Widespread damage may range from moderate to severe throughout the hurricane storm area, resulting in a total storm damage loss significantly higher than from the more severe, but narrow tornado. These features account for the lower total storm damage potential of a tornado when compared to a hurricane. The damage incurred at an individual risk or in the locale of touchdown will, however, be considerably more severe. Tornadoes are associated with severe weather fronts and, in particular, thunderstorms. All severe thunderstorms are potential tornado-producers. Although prevalent with thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rain and hail do not necessarily accompany the touchdown area of all tornadoes. Tornadoes are common in Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, England, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, United States, northern Europe, western Asia, and Canadian Plains. The United Kingdom has the highest occurrence rate, 0.14 per 1000 km² per year, and an average of 34 per year. According to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration from 1991 to 2010 there were on average 1253 tornadoes in the United States per year. Texas had the most at 155 per year followed by Kansas at 96, Florida at 66, Oklahoma at 62 and Nebraska at 57 per year. Europe has about 300 tornadoes per year and Australia and New Zealand have about 20 tornadoes per year. The deadliest (747 fatalities) and longest (151 to 235 mi (243 to 378 km)) Tornado occurred on March 18, 1925 in the US. The track crossed from southeastern Missouri, through southern Illinois, then into southwestern Indiana. On May 21, 1950, a tornado which touched-down at Little London, Buckinghamshire and tracked 66½ mi (107.1 km) to Coveney, Cambridgeshire, England. On June 9, 1984 22 tornadoes, at least one F5, one F4 and one F3 occurred in western Russia killing over 400 people and damaged 36 cities and villages. On April 26, 1989, a tornado approximately 1 mi (1.5 km) wide and about 50 mi (80 km) long was the world's deadliest tornado, striking the Manikganj District of Bangladesh, killing an estimated 1,300 people and injuring 12,000. In the United States, tornadoes most often occur in the central and gulf coast states during the Spring (April, May and June). They usually travel in a northeasterly direction. Figure 1 illustrates the Property Risk Consulting Guidelines 2 A Publication of AXA XL Risk Consulting PRC.15.1.1 distribution of tornadoes in the U.S. and shows where the major tornado threats occur. In Europe, tornadoes most often occur between June and August. New records were established in 1990 for the number of “violent” tornadoes. A violent tornado is classified F-4 or F-5. All states except Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire Oregon, Hawaii and Alaska have experienced tornadoes since 1990. Large severe weather systems may give rise to an “outbreak” of multiple tornadoes over a wide area within a short period of time. The largest known “super outbreak” occurred April 3-4, 1974.