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

AnnuAl GlobAl Cli mAte And C AtAstroph e r e port
High temperatures and strong winds triggered dozens of wildfires across southern Europe between the 21st
and 28th. In Spain, the wildfires charred over 20,000 hectares (49,400 acres) and destroyed dozens of homes
and vehicles. At least six firefighters were killed. In Italy, wildfires killed two people on the island of Sardinia
as nearly 25,000 hectares (62,000 acres) of land was singed. Insured property damage losses in Italy were
estimated at US$114 million. Wildfires on the 23rd on the French island of Corsica scorched 3,500 hectares
(8,650 acres) of land, destroying at least ten homes and 50 cars. Additional wildfires were reported in Greece
and Algeria. Greece firefighters battled more than 50 fires. In Algeria, thousands of wheat, barley and free crops
were destroyed.
Severe weather and flooding occurred across parts of Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany and the
Czech Republic between the 23rd and 24th, killing at least 11 people and injuring 82 others. The storms left at
least 150,000 homes without power in the Czech Republic as winds gusting to 130 kph (80 mph) downed trees
and power lines. Dozens of homes, cars and buildings were also damaged in Poland and Germany. In Austria,
tennis ball-sized hail damaged 60,000 hectares (148,000 acres) of crops and hundreds of structures. Crop
losses were estimated at US$28.4 million. Crop damage was also reported in Switzerland; where over US$19
million in crop losses occurred. Local insurance agencies across central and eastern Europe received thousands
of claims, with overall losses estimated at US$1.5 billion. Insured losses were estimated at US$1.25 billion.
Heavy rains between the 23rd and 27th triggered flooding in China’s Sichuan, Hunan, Guizhou and Jiangxi
provinces, killing at least 70 people and injuring 51 others. The flooding led to numerous landslides and
mudflows, which damaged 3,000 homes and 533 hectares (1,317 acres) of crops. In Guizhou and Jiangxi
provinces, flooding and landslides destroyed at least 137 homes, five kilometers (three miles) of highways and
17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of crops. According to Chinese officials, over US$33 million in direct economic
losses occurred.
Torrential rains in associated with Tropical Storm Nangka left at least 16 people dead in the Philippines between
the 23rd and the 26th. At least 10,000 structures sustained damage as total economic losses of US$4.3 million
were reported.
Severe weather between the 24th and the 30th caused tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds from the
U.S. Northeast through the Ohio valley and into the Plains. In Port Orange, Florida, an EF0 tornado damaged
at least 181 mobile homes. A strong line of thunderstorms moved across parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin,
Illinois and Indiana, spawning over 45,000 claims. According to the Baltimore County Office of Emergency
Management, at least 55 homes were damaged due to fallen trees and power lines on the 26th. By the 27th,
a new storm system spawned severe weather in Wisconsin and northern Illinois. On the 29th, an EF2 tornado
struck Monroe County, Pennsylvania, injuring at least two people and destroying four large farm buildings. A
series of severe thunderstorms pounded sections of Colorado, including the greater Denver area, on the 29th.
At least 50,000 claims were filed as large hail and damaging winds affected the region.
Heavy rains led to flooding and landslides across parts of Nepal and Bangladesh between the 25th and 28th,
killing 38 people.
Giresun Province in Turkey experienced its worst flooding in 60 years as heavy rains occurred on the 28th. Over
100 homes were damaged along with several roads after two major rivers overflowed their banks.
A small tornado touched down in Scotland in the town of Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis late on the 28th.
According to officials, several cars were damaged, along with slates, ridging and iron-work on residential
homes. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
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