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

March
Aon b e n field: i m pAC t foreC AstinG
• multiple spring storms bring rounds of severe weather and blizzards to the united states
• historic crest along the red river in fargo, north dakota
• floods affect parts of southern Africa
A storm system developed on February 28th and continued through the 3rd, bringing adverse weather
conditions to the eastern United States. The system brought freezing rain, heavy snow and gusty winds to
the region, killing at least five people. The storm system triggered severe weather in Alabama, Georgia and
Florida that damaged hundreds of homes and vehicles. The system also caused accumulating snows across the
Southeast. In Jackson, Tennessee, 12.5 inches (32 centimeters) of snow fell, the city’s heaviest one-day total
on record. A combination of wet snow and gusty winds snapped tree limbs and power lines throughout the
Southeast. At least 530,000 customers lost electricity in the region. The storm system paralleled the Atlantic
seaboard on the 1st, bringing between five and 15 inches (13 to 38 centimeters) of snow throughout coastal
New England. Nearly 1,000 flights were cancelled at New york City’s three main airports, while an additional
300 flights were cancelled in Philadelphia. At Boston’s Logan International Airport, hundreds of flights
were cancelled. By the 3rd, the storm system exited into eastern Canada and the Maritimes. According to
Environment Canada, some of the heaviest snowfall in nearly 40 years was reported.
A wildfire in Bastrop County, Texas between February 28th and March 2nd destroyed 23 homes, 12 businesses
and 20 outbuildings. The 1,500-acre (607-hectare) blaze was ignited by a 60-foot (20-meter) tree falling onto a
power line. The blaze, which was fueled by dry fuels and gusty winds, forced hundreds of residents to evacuate
their homes.
Heavy snow fell across the U.S. Sierra Nevada Mountains between the 1st and the 3rd, with some areas
receiving over six feet (180 centimeters) of snow. Hazardous driving conditions forced the California Highway
Patrol to close a 76-mile (122-kilometer) stretch of Interstate 80. One person was killed.
In Indonesia, weeks of heavy rains led to flash flooding in the Kanor district of Bojonegoro, East Java between
the 1st and the 3rd. At least 9,626 homes, schools, mosques and health centers were damaged across 86
separate villages as the Bengawan Solo River overflowed and burst eight dams on the 2nd. Reports indicated
that some villages were submerged by nearly ten feet (three meters) of water. According to government
officials, the floods also destroyed 720 hectares (1,780 acres) of rice paddies. Nearly 5,000 people sustained
injuries and eight people were killed.
Heavy rains led to a landslide in Carabaya Province in Peru on the 2nd that killed at least 13 people. Nearly 50
homes were destroyed as an avalanche of mud and rock occurred in the southern region of Puno.
At least 111 people were killed in Namibia and Angola between late January and early March after heavy rains
triggered widespread flooding. vast areas of cropland were destroyed as seasonal monsoon rains affected the
northern parts of Namibia.
Tropical Cyclone Hamish skirted southeast queensland between the 6th and the 10th, bringing gusty winds
and bands of heavy rain. The cyclone developed on the 6th as a 110-kph (70-mph) system before undergoing
a rapid intensification cycle early on the 7th. The system became a Category 4 storm with 240 kph (150 mph)
winds as it began to parallel the queensland coast. No major damage, injuries or fatalities were reported,
though beach erosion occurred from Noosa to Caloundra as four-meter (12-foot) waves battered coastal
communities. Hamish was also blamed for a 30-tonne (33-ton) oil spill in Moreton Bay.
Heavy rains, tornadoes, hail, flooding and heavy snow occurred from the U.S. Plains into New England between
the 7th and the 10th. At least 15,000 structures were damaged, with insured losses exceeding US$60 million.
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