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

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killed, 64 people were injured and 2,300 homes were damaged. At least 67 municipalities in Santa Catarina
were severely affected. Heavy rains submerged locations in the state of Sao Paulo. Three people were killed
after landslides caused homes to collapse. As the storms entered northeastern Argentina, heavy rain and
strong winds damaged dozens of homes in the towns of Santa Rosa, Tobun and Pozo Azul. Local authorities in
Paraguay reported that hail damaged 700 roofs.
Heavy rains affected northwestern Turkey between the 8th and 14th, killing at least 32 people. Locations within
Istanbul experienced floodwaters from the combination of two flooding streams up to two meters (six feet) as
surging water in at least three city districts crushed vehicles. At least 4,000 homes were damaged and at least
200 cars were washed into the Marmara Sea. Total economic losses were estimated at US$218 million, and
insured loss damages were estimated between US$70 million and US$150 million.
In the Philippines, flooding and landslides killed at least 15 people. The rains began on the 8th and continued
into the 9th affected more than 388,000 residents in four northern provinces. At least 20 homes were
destroyed, and over US$6.3 million in damages occurred to the transportation and agricultural infrastructures.
Typhoon Koppu developed on the 13th and gradually strengthened as it moved through the Luzon Strait into
the South China Sea. Koppu reached a peak intensity of 130 kph (80 mph) just prior to landfall in Guangdong
Province, China on the 15th. According to the National Disaster Coordinating Council, dozens of homes and
villages were damaged in the Philippines and at least three people died. Koppu killed 18 people injured 58
others in China. At least 1,250 homes were destroyed by landslides, mudflows and flooding in the cities of
yangchun, xinyi and Luoding in Guangdong Province. Direct economic losses in China were estimated at
US$300 million.
Strong thunderstorms triggered hail and damaging winds across extreme eastern Texas on the 16th. According
to the Insurance Council of Texas, numerous claims were reported in the city of El Paso due to hail damage.
Total losses were estimated at US$350 million.
Heavy rains fell across the southeastern United States between the 17th and 27th, killing at least ten people.
Numerous rivers and creeks in metro Atlanta and surrounding suburbs either approached or exceeded flood stage.
According to various insurers, nearly 25,000 claims were filed in Georgia, with insured losses topping US$150
million. Nearly 1,000 roads, highways and intersections were closed across the region. In the metro Atlanta area,
hundreds of roads and bridges were either underwater or washed out. Rain totals ranged between eight and 21
inches (20 to 53 centimeters) throughout Georgia during a 72-hour period. Significant rain totals and flooding
were also reported throughout at least 20 counties in western North Carolina. Flooding also occurred in eastern
Tennessee as the French Broad and Pigeon rivers swelled. Thousands of corn crops were flooded as well.
A magnitude-6.1 earthquake affected Bhutan on the 21st, killing at least 12 people and injuring 15 others. The
quake was centered 180 kilometers (110 miles) east of Thimphu, Bhutan. The main quake was felt throughout
northeastern India, Bangladesh and southwestern China. Residents reported strong shaking for at least 20
seconds as homes and buildings crumbled. The most severe damage occurred in the Bhutan districts of
Munggar and Trashigang. In Trashigang, at least 1,100 homes and structures were destroyed. In India’s Assam
state capital of Guwahati, dozens of buildings showed cracks in their foundation but no serious damage was
reported. In southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous region, more than 265 homes were damaged.
A magnitude-5.7 tremor struck parts of Indonesia early on the 19th, injuring at least 12 people. The quake,
centered 65 kilometers (40 miles) west-northwest of Mataram, Indonesia, collapsed the roof of a shopping mall
in Denpasar.
At least three people were killed in southwest China’s Chongqing City after heavy rains struck between the
19th and 21st. Rainfall totals of 25 centimeters (ten inches) damaged at least 4,765 homes. A lightning strike
destroyed a 35-kilovolt power transmission line in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area.
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