Global Catastrophe Recap
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Aon Benfield Analytics | Impact Forecasting Global Catastrophe Recap December 2014 Risk. Reinsurance. Human Resources. Aon Benfield Analytics | Impact Forecasting Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 United States 4 Remainder of North America 4 South America 5 Europe 5 Africa 5 Asia 6 Oceania 7 Appendix 8 Contact Information 15 Global Catastrophe Recap: December 2014 2 Aon Benfield Analytics | Impact Forecasting Executive Summary . Severe monsoon floods affect Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia . Super Typhoon Hagupit and Tropical Storm Jangmi make landfall in Philippines; at least 73 dead . Winter weather affects portions of the United States, Europe, and Asia The Northeast Monsoon brought torrential rain that triggered widespread flash floods and landslides to parts of Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia throughout December. In total, at least 77 people have died and over 87,500 properties have been damaged or destroyed. Economic losses in Malaysia have reached MYR1.0 billion (USD284 million). Elsewhere, flooding caused economic losses in excess of USD50 million in California and killed six people in Colombia. In Africa, both Mozambique and Swaziland suffered flood fatalities. Super Typhoon Hagupit struck Philippines on the 6th, killing at least 18 people and injuring hundreds more. Over 290,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and economic losses were listed at PHP5.1 billion (USD113 million). At the end of the month, Tropical Storm Jangmi made landfall in Philippines causing at least 65 fatalities and 41 injuries. 2,740 homes were damaged or destroyed and economic losses reached PHP758 million (USD17 million). Globally, winter weather events claimed at least 45 lives in December. A classic Nor’easter brought heavy snowfall to the U.S. Northeast at the beginning of the month causing one fatality and widespread transport disruption and power outages. China, Japan, and India each suffered two separate winter weather events. In China, over 1,600 homes sustained damage and economic losses were listed at CNY2.28 billion (USD216 million). A winter storm at the start of the month left at least seven people dead in Japan while a powerful weather bomb later in the month lashed the country with typhoon-force winds, significant snowfall, and a large storm surge. At least five people perished as over one meter of snow fell. A cold snap in northern India near the beginning of the month claimed 16 lives while a further seven people perished as a result of freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall in mid-December. Wintery conditions also affected western, central, and southern parts of Europe. At least eight people died as heavy snowfall and plummeting temperatures led to widespread travel disruption across the region. The U.S. was also affected by two periods of severe weather in December. The first was a week-long “Pineapple Express” event that brought strong winds, significant mountain snowfall, and torrential rainfall to the Pacific Northwest and Southeast. Flash floods and landslides ensued causing widespread disruption and damages. The second spell of severe weather affected the Eastern U.S. later in the month when a powerful storm system spawned more than a dozen tornadoes devastating two Mississippi towns. Damage was also sustained in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana. A series of landslides struck a mountain hamlet in Central Java, Indonesia killing 85 people. At least 23 were officially listed as missing. Global Catastrophe Recap: December 2014 3 Aon Benfield Analytics | Impact Forecasting United States Structures/ Economic Date Event Location Deaths Claims Loss (USD) 12/2-12/4 Flooding California 0 7,500+ 90+ million 12/8-12/12 Winter Weather Northeast 1 Thousands Millions 12/10-12/17 Severe Weather Pacific Northwest, Southwest 3 Thousands 100+ million 12/22-12/25 Severe Weather Eastern U.S. 4 Thousands 100+ million A strong storm system brought torrential rain to much of California from 2nd to 4th that led to flash flooding and landslides. Damage was widespread as homeowners and businesses reported roof leakage, sewer and sump pump backups, and fallen trees. Infrastructure damage was prevalent in parts of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. Total economic losses were estimated at USD90 million, while insurers reported losses in excess of USD50 million. A classic Nor’easter spun off the coast from North Carolina to Maine from 8th to 12th bringing torrential rain that turned to snow as temperatures dropped. Many stations recorded snow depth totals in excess of 18.0 inches (45.7 centimeters). One person died and several others were injured as the weather was responsible for hundreds of road accidents throughout the region. Hundreds of schools remained closed and numerous flights were cancelled. The U.S. west coast was affected by a “Pineapple Express” event from 10th to 17th that brought strong winds, flash floods, significant mountain snow, and torrential rain. Worst affected was California where a peak storm rainfall total of 14.48 inches (367.8 millimeters) was reported. One station recorded a snow depth total of 19.8 inches (50.29 centimeters). Flash floods and landslides ensued rendering at least 10 homes uninhabitable and blocking major highways across the region. In total, three people died in separate instances involving trees downed by high winds. Hundreds of flights were cancelled at San Francisco Airport and over 660,000 customers endured power outages. A powerful storm system spawned more than a dozen tornado touchdowns, large hail, damaging straight- line winds, flash flooding, and heavy snowfall across the Eastern U.S. from 22nd to 25th. At least four people were killed and more than 50 others were injured. Mississippi suffered the worst of the damage as four tornadoes touched down – one EF3, one EF2, and two EF0. The towns of Columbia and Laurel suffered devastating damages. Parts of Florida, Alabama, and Georgia suffered flash flooding while Louisiana sustained severe weather damage. Elsewhere, the storm system led to heavy snowfall and widespread transport disruption across parts of the Midwest. Remainder of North America (Non-U.S.) Structures/ Economic Date Event Location Deaths Claims Loss (USD) No major natural disaster events occurred in North America (Non-U.S.) during the month of December. Global Catastrophe Recap: December 2014 4 Aon Benfield Analytics | Impact Forecasting South America Structures/ Economic Date Event Location Deaths Claims Loss (USD) 12/20 Flooding Colombia 6 Thousands Unknown Excessive rain in southwestern Colombia led to a large mudslide on the 20th. At least six people were killed and 5,500 others were directly impacted. The rains also caused at least two major rivers to overflow their banks damaging or destroying more than 10 bridges and leaving nearly 25,000 residents isolated. Europe Structures/ Economic Date Event Location Deaths Claims Loss (USD) 12/26-12/30 Winter Weather Western, Central, Southern EU 9+ Unknown Millions+ Winter weather affected parts of Europe from 26th to 30th causing widespread disruption and claiming five lives in France, three in Bulgaria, and one in Slovenia. In the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, damage was limited to transport disruption and power outages while in France, 19 departments were on the second highest alert for snow and ice as 15,000 vehicles were stranded. Africa Structures/ Economic Date Event Location Deaths Claims Loss (USD) 12/16-12/18 Flooding Mozambique, Swaziland 16+ 400+ Unknown At least 11 people died in Swaziland and 5 were killed in Mozambique as torrential rainfall from 16th to 18th triggered flash floods. 400 people in Swaziland were affected as numerous homes were destroyed while in Mozambique, at least 300 people were left homeless as 19 homes were totally destroyed and a further 370 suffered flood damage. Global Catastrophe Recap: December 2014 5 Aon Benfield Analytics | Impact Forecasting Asia Structures/ Economic Date Event Location Deaths Claims Loss (USD) 11/30-12/1 Winter Weather China 0 1,000+ 81+ million 12/1-12/31 Flooding Sri Lanka 39 24,513+ Unknown 12/2-12/9 Winter Weather China, Japan 7 1,000+ 135+ million 12/6-12/8 STY Hagupit Philippines 18 290,670 113 million 12/7-12/9 Winter Weather India 16 Unknown Unknown 12/12 Landslide Indonesia 85 105 Unknown 12/13-12/31 Flooding Thailand 15 4,000+ Unknown 12/17-12/18 Winter Weather Japan 5 Unknown Unknown 12/17-12/18 Winter Weather India 7+ Unknown Unknown 12/17-12/31 Flooding Malaysia 21+ 19,560+ 284+ million 12/18-12/31 Flooding Indonesia 2+ 39,570+ Unknown 12/27-12/29 TS Jangmi Philippines 65+ 2,740+ 17+ million A heavy snowstorm and cold temperatures swept through northeastern China on November 30 and December 1, leading to travel delays and damaging agricultural land. No serious injuries or fatalities were reported. The snowfall led to travel delays in numerous cities, including near the China-Russian border. Total economic losses were listed at CNY500 million (USD81 million). The North East Monsoon brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to Sri Lanka this month causing widespread floods and landslides that affected 15 out of the nation’s 25 provinces. 39 people were killed while 51,058 residents were in evacuation centers as 24,513 homes were destroyed or damaged. A broad winter storm affected portions of China and Japan between the 2nd and 9th. In Japan, at least seven people died and 12 others were injured due to heavy snow and cold. In northern China, multiple northern provinces endured blizzard conditions that destroyed at least 600 homes. Economic damages were listed at CNY1.78 billion (USD135 million). Super Typhoon Hagupit came ashore in Philippines on the 6th as a Category 3 strength storm, killing at least 18 people and injuring 916 others. Hagupit made landfall with sustained winds of 185 kph (115 mph) on Samar Island where the worst of the damage was sustained.