Global Catastrophe Recap: August 2019 2
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Global Catastrophe Recap August 2019 Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 United States 4 Remainder of North America (Non-US) 5 South America 5 Europe 5 Middle East 6 Africa 7 Asia 7 Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands) 9 Appendix 10 Additional Report Details 16 Contact Information 17 Global Catastrophe Recap: August 2019 2 Executive Summary . Typhoon Lekima strikes China; becomes the costliest storm in China since Fitow (2013) . Insurers face USD2.0+ billion payouts from U.S. & European severe convective storms . Seasonal monsoon rains in India leave hundreds dead and minimal USD5.5 billion cost Economic loss due to Typhoon Lekima; 10+ billion costliest typhoon in China since Fitow (2013) 55B Volume of Greenland ice melted from July 30 tons to August 2, following well above-normal heat 10.1M Hectares of forest burned in Eastern Russia in hectares 2019; an increase of 3.3 million since July 31 4.83 Size of the largest hailstone on record in the U.S. inches state of Colorado; registered on August 13 Drought Earthquake EU Windstorm Flooding Severe Weather Tropical Cyclone Wildfire Winter Weather Other Global Catastrophe Recap: August 2019 3 United States Structures/ Economic Loss Date Event Location Deaths Claims (USD) 08/04-08/05 Severe Weather Midwest 0 42,000+ 675+ million 08/06-08/07 Severe Weather Plains, Midwest 0 11,000+ 140+ million 08/06 Flooding Maryland 0 Hundreds Millions 08/10-08/11 Severe Weather Rockies, Plains 0 37,000+ 550+ million 08/13-08/16 Severe Weather Rockies, Plains, Midwest 0 35,000+ 325+ million 08/17-08/18 Severe Weather Midwest, Northeast 0 Thousands 100+ million 08/25-08/26 Severe Weather Rockies, Plains, Midwest, Southeast 0 Thousands 100+ million Severe thunderstorms swept across parts of the Midwest on August 4/5, leading to considerable residential, commercial, and automobile damage in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Most damage was due to large hail – up to 4.00 inches (10.2 centimeters) in diameter – that struck within the greater Minneapolis, MN metro region. Total economic losses were estimated at USD675 million, with most of the costs insured (USD510 million). Powerful severe convective storms led to notable hail and wind damage in North and South Dakota on August 6/7. Winds gusting beyond 70 mph (110 kph) and hail larger than the size of golf balls were cited. Total economic damage was listed at roughly USD140 million. Insurance payouts neared USD110 million. A nearly stationary thunderstorm on August 6 brought torrential rainfall to the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Severe flood damage occurred in the downtown areas such as Little Italy, Harbor East, and Fells Point that included inundated homes (including several feet of water in basements), businesses, and vehicles. Total economic damage reached well into the millions (USD). Significant severe thunderstorm genesis impacted Montana on August 10/11. Very large hail, straight-line winds, and isolated tornado touchdowns led to considerable residential and commercial damage. Two of the state’s most populated areas (Billings and Missoula) were affected. Total economic damage was listed at up to USD550 million; while public and private insurers paid out an estimated USD425 million. A stubborn weather pattern led to consecutive days of powerful thunderstorms in the Rockies, Plains, and Midwest from August 13-16. The stretch was highlighted by the state of Colorado measuring its largest-diameter hailstone on record: 4.83 inches (12.27 centimeters). Additional hail and wind damage was cited in Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Missouri. Total economic losses neared USD325 million; while insurers covered at least USD250 million. An advancing storm system spawned large hail, damaging straight-line winds, isolated tornadoes, and flash flooding in the Midwest and Northeast on August 17/18. Parts of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania were all impacted. Total economic and insured losses were each expected to exceed USD100 million. A broad weather pattern resulted in widespread severe weather on August 25/26 throughout the Rockies, Plains, Midwest, and Southeast. Nearly 10 states cited notable damage from large hail, high winds (tornadic and non- tornadic), and isolated flash floods. Heavy commercial, residential, and agricultural damage occurred. Total economic and insured losses were each expected to exceed USD100 million. Global Catastrophe Recap: August 2019 4 Remainder of North America (Non-US) Structures/ Economic Loss Date Event Location Deaths Claims (USD) 08/02 Severe Weather Canada 0 13,000+ 95+ million 08/06 Severe Weather Canada 0 1,000+ 10s of Millions 08/26-08/31 Hurricane Dorian Caribbean 1 Thousands Millions Large hail caused widespread structural, vehicle, and crop damage in the greater metro region of Edmonton, Canada on August 2. Economic losses were estimated to approach USD100 million, with insurers covering approximately USD90 million. Severe thunderstorms along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Canada’s Alberta Province led to widespread hail damage in the communities of Barnwell, Carmangay, and Taber on August 6. Total economic and insured losses were estimated to reach into the tens of millions (USD). Hurricane Dorian began affecting parts of the Windward Islands, Lesser Antilles, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico during the last days of August before heading towards the Bahamas and the U.S. Mainland in early September. The August-related Dorian damage costs will reach into the millions (USD). South America Structures/ Economic Loss Date Event Location Deaths Claims (USD) 01/01-08/31 Wildfires Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru N/A N/A Millions One of the worst wildfire outbreaks in recent memory in the Amazon rainforest and biome was exacerbated throughout the month of August in parts of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru. Through the end of the month, there had been more than 906,000 hectares (2.24 million acres) of land burned. Many of the fires were intentionally ignited and made worse due to the intensity of the dry season. Total costs will enter well into the millions (USD). Europe Structures/ Economic Loss Date Event Location Deaths Claims (USD) 08/06-08/07 Severe Weather Western and Central Europe 0 Thousands 150+ million 08/09 Severe Weather Luxembourg, Western Europe 0 3,000+ 125+ million 08/12 Severe Weather Italy, Hungary, Poland 0 Thousands 150+ million 08/18 Severe Weather Germany, France 0 2,000+ 10s of millions 08/22 Severe Weather Poland, Slovakia 5 N/A N/A 08/26-08/28 Severe Weather Spain 0 4,400+ 10s of millions Localized convective storms resulted in economic losses in parts of France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Poland on August 6-7; with most of the damage incurred by wind, flood, and lightning strikes. The combined financial impact of the inclement weather will likely exceed EUR100 million. Global Catastrophe Recap: August 2019 5 Several countries in Europe were impacted by bouts of severe thunderstorms on August 9. The most notable event occurred in southwestern Luxembourg, as a rare F2-rated tornado damaged more than 300 properties and prompted insured losses which were expected by local officials to exceed EUR100 million (USD112 million). Localized severe storms developed on August 12-13 on a stationary frontal system in a wide belt stretching from Italy to Hungary and northern Ukraine. Most of the damage occurred in Northern Italy, as strong winds and large hail inflicted damage on property and in the agricultural sector. Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County in northeastern Hungary was hit by large hail with a diameter of up to 5.0 centimeters (2.0 inches). On August 18, locally severe storms developed in France and Germany along a quasi-stationary frontal boundary. Major damage was reported from Hessen. Additionally, large hail was reported in parts of France, notably around Mulhouse in Alsace, where the largest hailstones reached 8 centimeters (3.1 inches) in diameter. Aggregated economic losses were likely to minimally end up in the millions of EUR. Five people were killed by lightning strikes and 159 others were injured in the Tatra Mountains in Poland (4) and Slovakia (1) on August 22. A notable outbreak of severe weather impacted parts of Central Spain and the Balearic Islands from August 26-28. Most of the damage was caused by urban flooding and hail accumulation in Arganda del Rey near Madrid. Local insurers expected 4,400 claims with total payouts reaching EUR13 million (USD14 million). Middle East Structures/ Economic Loss Date Event Location Deaths Claims (USD) 07/31-08/06 Flooding Yemen 12 Unknown Unknown 08/17 Flooding Turkey 1 5,000 10s of millions 08/23 Flooding Turkey 0 Hundreds 50+ million Parts of Yemen were affected by heavy rains from July 31 to August 6. At least 12 people were killed in Al Mahwit Governorate on July 31 due to a landslide. Additional damage also occurred in Ibb governorate. Further heavy rain on August 6 caused widespread floods that impacted thousands of people in the country’s refugee camps. Parts of Istanbul, Turkey were affected by urban flooding on August 17, particularly in the Faith district. Notable losses to local business and infrastructure occurred. Insurance companies reported 5,000 filed claims with payouts likely to exceed TRY60 million (USD10 million). Districts of Terme and Salpazari in northern Turkey were hit by flooding on August 23-24. Notable damage on infrastructure and agriculture, particularly hazelnut production, was expected to reach into the tens of millions USD. Global Catastrophe Recap: August 2019 6 Africa Structures/ Economic Loss Date Event Location Deaths Claims (USD) 08/01-08/31 Flooding Sudan 59 48,800+ 10s of millions 08/02-08/08 Flooding Sierra Leone 7 Unknown Unknown 08/20-08/25 Flooding Nigeria 12 11,300+ Unknown Spells of intense seasonal rainfall affected parts of Sudan during the month of August.