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

August
Aon b e n field: i m pAC t foreC AstinG
• typhoon morakot leaves at least 700 people dead in taiwan; total economic losses exceed
us$5 billion
• series of strong earthquakes rattle parts of Asia-pacific
• Wildfires burn through Greece
Over 700 lightning-induced wildfires that began on July 18th burned throughout the Canada’s British
Columbia during the month. The fires burned vast areas of land and cost at least US$110 million to fight. In
Alaska, a wildfire near Fairbanks destroyed at least three homes.
A wildfire burned on Canary Island’s La Palma between July 31st and the 5th. The fire destroyed dozens of
homes and singed over 3,500 hectares (8,648 acres) of land.
Separate storm systems left at least two people dead and 75 people injured in Canada between the 2nd and
the 4th. On the 2nd, a thunderstorm collapsed a stage in Alberta, killing one person and injuring dozens. On
the 4th, another severe thunderstorm spawned an EF2 tornado that damaged or destroyed at least 40 homes
in Mont-Laurier and Aumond in western quebec. Another storm system on the 4th triggered large hail and
damaging winds across southern Alberta. virtually every home in Carstairs sustained hail or wind damage.
Numerous thunderstorms across parts of the United States between the 2nd and the 4th left damage and
injured at least ten people. Severe thunderstorms damaged homes and vehicles and uprooted trees across parts
of South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin on the 2nd. On the 4th, between four and seven inches (ten
and 18 centimeters) fell in Louisville, Kentucky, flooding several sections of the city. Losses were estimated at
US$115 million after 25,000 claims were filed.
Heavy rain between the 2nd and 5th killed at least 24 people in China and the Philippines. According to China
officials, more than 26,000 homes were damaged or destroyed throughout Chongqing Province. Economic
losses were estimated at US$99.5 million.
A series of strong earthquakes affected parts of Mexico and the U.S. within 45 minutes on the 3rd. All
four earthquakes, including a magnitude-6.9 tremor, were centered in the Gulf of California. On the 5th, a
magnitude-5.5 aftershock was recorded in the same region. No significant damage occurred, and no injuries or
fatalities were reported.
Typhoon Morakot left at least 717 people dead and 65 people injured. Morakot became a tropical storm on
the 4th and steadily intensified on the 5th before reaching a peak intensity of 160 kph (100 mph) just prior
to landfall in Taiwan on the 7th. Morakot made a final landfall in China’s Fujian Province on the 9th. At least
23 people were killed and an additional 18 people were injured as flash floods and landslides inundated the
Philippines. At least eleven villages were submerged under 1.52 meters (five feet) of water after the Pinatubo
Dike overflowed. At least 57 homes were damaged or destroyed and US$1 million in damages occurred. As
Morakot approached Taiwan on the 6th, an all-time national record of 298 centimeters (118 inches) of rain
was recorded in Alishan in southern Chiayi County between the 6th and 10th. A single-day record of nearly
142 centimeters (56 inches) of rain was recorded at Weiliao Mountain in Pingtun County. According to official
government reports, over 7,000 homes were destroyed throughout the country and economic losses were at
least US$3.5 billion. At least 10,000 homes were destroyed in China, while 3.56 million additional properties
sustained damage due to floodwaters, landslides and mudflows. During a four-day span, isolated locations in
Zhejiang Province recorded up to 124 centimeters (49 inches) of rain. At least 400,000 hectares (one million
acres) of farmland were completely flooded. According to the Chinese government, Morakot caused at least
US$1.4 billion in direct economic losses.
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