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

AnnuAl GlobAl Cli mAte And C AtAstroph e r e port
Hurricane Rick developed on the 15th and became a hurricane on the 16th. By the 17th, Rick underwent a
rapid intensification cycle and reached its peak intensity on the 18th with 285 kph (180 mph), making Rick the
second strongest eastern Pacific Ocean storm on record. Rick maintained major hurricane status until the 20th
and made landfall on the 21st near Mazatlan, Mexico as a substantially weakened tropical storm. As Rick came
ashore near Mazatlan, the storm brought heavy rains and 95 kph (60 mph) winds. Some locations in Sinoloa
and the central state of Durango received over 25 centimeters (ten inches) of rain. At least two people were
killed near Cabo San Lucas, but no significant damage was reported.
Typhoon Lupit moved across the western Pacific Ocean as it approached the Philippines between the 22nd and
24th. Lupit, at one time a 250-kph (155-mph) super typhoon, steadily weakened while stalling near northern
Luzon Province. The storm brought significant rains to Luzon, and at least 45 homes sustained damage.
Economic losses were estimated at US$43,000.
A magnitude-5.8 earthquake struck Indonesia’s Papua Province on the 23rd. The tremor, centered near
Manokwari in the Papua province, caused one building to collapse. No casualties or injuries were reported.
A magnitude-6.2 earthquake occurred 270 kilometers (165 miles) northeast of Kabul, Afghanistan on the
23rd. The earthquake caused buildings to sway in the Afghan and Pakistani capitals, but no casualties or
injuries were reported.
Heavy rains affected parts of Greece between the 24th and 26th. One person drowned near the city of volos.
Officials reported widespread damage to homes, businesses, vehicles, farms and the agricultural infrastructure.
vast areas of crops were also severely damaged by the flooding.
Heavy rains and high winds affected parts of Australia’s New South Wales on the 25th and 26th, killing one
person in the greater Sydney area. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, over ten centimeters (four inches)
of rain fell during a 36-hour period, causing flash flooding.
At least 157 people were killed due to Typhoon Mirinae. Mirinae developed on the 26th and slowly intensified
before becoming a typhoon on the 28th. Mirinae continued to strengthen and reached its peak intensity
of 170 kph (105 mph) on the 29th. Mirinae began to weaken prior to making its first landfall on the 30th in
the Philippines’ quezon Province. The system brought heavy rains and winds gusting to 185 kph (115 mph).
Flooding and landslides killed 32 people and damaged or destroyed 46,466 homes and other structures.
Economic losses in the Philippines were estimated at US$10.3 million. The system emerged in the South China
Sea on the 31st. Just prior to its final landfall, Mirinae briefly re-intensified to a weak typhoon as it came ashore
in vietnam’s Phu yen Province on November 1st. At least 123 people were killed and hundreds more injured as
flash flooding and landslides inundated the country. At least 27,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and
approximately 437,300 hectares (1.08 million acres) of rice and other crops were damaged. vietnam’s economic
losses were estimated at US$280 million. At least two people died in Cambodia as Mirinae dissipated.
A winter storm affected parts of the United States between the 27th and 29th. In Denver, Colorado, the storm,
which dropped nearly 18 inches (45 centimeters) of snow on the city, was the biggest October snowmaker
since 1997. Throughout the foothills and mountains of the Rockies, snow totals ranged between three and
four feet (90 to 120 centimeters). Winds gusting to 40 mph (65 kph) combined with heavy snowfall to create
whiteout conditions. In the warmer air, heavy rain and thunderstorms developed throughout the Plains,
Mississippi valley and Midwest. Rainfall totals of two to seven inches (five to 18 centimeters) were widespread.
In Louisiana, one person was killed. At least 20 tornadoes touched down in the region, damaging or destroying
hundreds of homes across northern Louisiana, extreme eastern Texas and southern Arkansas.
A storm system moved through the United Kingdom on October 31st and November 1st. Scotland was hit the
hardest, with the communities of Stonehaven, Huntly, Keith, Turriff, Fraserburgh and Rosehearty taking the
brunt of the storm. Heavy rains and winds gusting to 95 kph (60 mph) occurred in some locations. At least one
person was killed.
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