Annual Global Climate and Catastrophe Report: Impact ... - Aon

AnnuAl GlobAl Cli mAte And C AtAstroph e r e port
February
• historic bushfire event hits parts of Victoria in Australia
• powerful snowstorm affects the united Kingdom
• multiple winter storms traverse the united states
Heavy rains starting January 24th triggered flooding in parts of Brazil and Peru during the week of the 2nd.
At least 14 people were killed in the city of Pelotas, Brazil. According to national emergency coordinators,
significant flood damage occurred to residential areas and transportation infrastructure in Rio Grande do Sul
state. In Peru, at least four people were killed in floodwaters. A combination of landslides and flash flooding
destroyed two homes and severely damaged several roads and highways in the provinces of Celedín, Jaén, San
Ignacio and Santa Cruz.
Heavy rains beginning on January 8th that lasted until February 12th in the northern and northwestern
sections of the Dominican Republic killed at least seven people. Major structural damage was reported to
thousands of homes as total losses were listed at US$52 million. Damage was also reported to bridges and
roads in the provinces of Puerto Plata and Espaillat.
Flooding that began in January continued through February in queensland, New South Wales and Western
Australia, killing at least nine people. Floodwaters finally began to recede in northern sections of queensland
on the 17th. The town of Ingham reported at least 2,900 homes with significant flood damage. Coastal
locations along the Gulf of Carpentaria endured nearly two months of flooding. At one point, over 62 percent
of queensland was underwater. According to state government officials, total flood damages exceeded US$140
million, of which US$17.5 million were insured losses. In New South Wales, heavy rains fell on the 14th, forcing
at least six council areas to be declared natural disaster areas. Damage to the transportation infrastructure was
estimated at US$3.9 million. Heavy rains and flooding occurred in Western Australia from the 16th to the 19th,
with some locations reporting over 25 centimeters (ten inches) of rain.
A snowstorm affected parts of the United Kingdom and Europe between the 2nd and the 5th, killing at least six
people. Forecasters called the system the largest snowstorm in over 18 years. According to Britain’s Federation
of Small Businesses (FSB), at least US$4.3 billion in lost economic productivity occurred. On the 2nd, snow totals
of ten to 25 centimeters (four to ten inches) were reported from London northward into Scotland and Wales,
where two people died. In London, all five of the region’s major airports were temporarily closed. On the 3rd,
heavy snow fell again throughout Britain, with some locations receiving an additional 30 centimeters (one foot)
of snow. The FSB reported that nearly five million people did not report to work on the 3rd after 6.4 million
people failed to show up to work the day before. Another round of heavy snow occurred on the 5th. At least 20
centimeters (eight inches) of snow fell across parts of Gloucestershire, the Midlands and central Wales. In France,
flights were cancelled at Paris’ Charles de Gualle Airport. In Belgium, highway officials reported 400 kilometers
(250 miles) of traffic jams on the 2nd around Brussels. As the system entered Italy, heavy rains and gusty winds
occurred in the cities of Lecco and Sicily, killing three people. In Switzerland, 20 centimeters (eight inches) of
snow fell. In Spain, two tornadoes were reported. Winds gusted to 180 kph (115 mph) in Málaga, which left
widespread damage to an unknown number of homes and other structures. At least 25 people were injured.
The worst drought since 1951 forced China to declare an emergency in eight northern and central provinces on
the 5th. The lack of rainfall in Hebei, Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, Henan, Shandong, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces
devastated 10.3 million hectares (25.5 million acres) of crops. Economic losses from the drought eclipsed
US$234 million in Anhui Province alone. Some areas of China went over 125 consecutive days without any
measurable rainfall.
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