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

AnnuAl GlobAl Cli mAte And C AtAstroph e r e port
On the 23rd, at least five people died after a storm system triggered heavy rains and landslides in the town of
Borcka in Turkey’s Artvin Province. Dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed due to the landslides.
In Australia, the largest dust storm since 1942 occurred in queensland and New South Wales on the 23rd.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the dust storm measured 500 kilometers (510 miles) in width and
1,000 kilometers (620 miles) in length. Officials from the Australian Industry Group indicated that the dust
storm likely cost states ‘tens of millions of dollars’ in lost productivity.
Between the 19th and 24th, severe thunderstorms triggered large hail over parts of southern and western New
South Wales and the Australia Capital Territory. A storm system brought flooding and gusty winds to Adelaide.
In victoria, the Northern Territory and queensland, the weather bureau issued severe weather warnings for
flash flooding and damaging winds as yet another storm system pelted the region.
Typhoon Ketsana made two separate landfalls in the Philippines and in vietnam between the 25th and 30th,
killing at least 645 people and injuring over 550 others. Ketsana developed on the 23rd and became a tropical
storm on the 25th. Ketsana officially made landfall near the border of Aurora and quezon provinces in Luzon
with 85 kph (50 mph) sustained winds. As the system pushed westward over the islands, Manila received 341
millimeters (13.4 inches) of rainfall in a six-hour period. The storm killed at least 464 people and caused at least
US$234 million in economic losses in the Philippines. At least seven million homes were damaged or destroyed,
millions of people were left homeless and over 203,477 hectares (502,802 acres) of crops were destroyed.
Ketsana quickly became better organized after weakening over the Philippines and, by the 28th, the cyclone
obtained typhoon status. Ketsana reached its peak intensity of 170 kph (105 mph) while heading towards
vietnam. Ketsana made a second and final landfall near quang Nam, vietnam on the 29th at its peak intensity.
At least 164 people were killed in vietnam. vietnamese authorities reported that nearly 400,000 homes, 12,000
health clinics and 200 schools were damaged or destroyed due to massive landslides. Economic losses in
vietnam totaled nearly US$800 million. Ketsana destroyed at least 48,000 hectares (118,000 acres) agricultural
and industrial crops in vietnam. As Ketsana weakened, it caused 17 fatalities and 29 injuries in Cambodia.
Over 500 homes either collapsed or were swept away. Total economic losses from Ketsana were estimated at
US$1.03 billion.
A magnitude-8.0 earthquake affected the Samoan Islands on the 29th, killing at least 190 people and injuring
over 145 others. The quake triggered at least four tsunamis, including a 1.55-meter (5.1-foot) wave that was
recorded at Pago Pago on the northern side of American Samoa. The main tremor was centered 185 kilometers
(115 miles) east-northeast from Hihifo, Tonga. Following the main quake, over three dozen aftershocks rattled
the region with magnitudes ranging from 4.9 to 5.9. The resulting tsunamis flooded and completely flattened
every building in at least three coastal villages. The hardest-hit region was Pago Pago, where local officials
said that the island territory had been cut in half. Unconfirmed reports from the National Park of American
Samoa indicated that the park sustained four tsunami waves with heights of 4.5 to 6.0 meters (15 to 20 feet)
that surged over 1.6 kilometers (one mile) inland. Additional damage reports from the Solosolo region of the
main Samoan Island of Upolu said that numerous landslides buried almost every home on the island. Dozens of
homes were reportedly washed away along the southern coast of Savaii. The government of Samoa estimated
losses at US$147.3 million.
On the 30th, a magnitude-7.6 earthquake occurred in Indonesia, killing at least 1,195 people and injuring over
2,400 others on the island of Sumatra. The quake was centered 45 kilometers (30 miles) west-northwest of
Padang, Indonesia. Dozens of aftershocks, including a magnitude-6.6 tremor on October 1st, occurred after
the main event. According to Indonesia’s Disaster Management Agency, over 249,833 homes, hospitals, hotels,
mosques and other structures were damaged or destroyed. Multiple landslides further destroyed homes at Lake
Maninjau, located just inland from Padang. In Sumatra, underground water pipes burst and flooded numerous
neighborhoods. Total economic losses were US$2.2 billion with insured losses estimated at US$40 million.
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