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

November
• historic rainfall triggers significant flooding across the united Kingdom
• tropical storm ida makes landfall in the united states
• heavy rains cause us$933 million in damage in saudi Arabia
Aon b e n field: i m pAC t foreC AstinG
Heavy rains leading to flash flooding and landslides killed two people across northern Iraq between October
30th and November 2nd. The rains affected over 3,000 people across the mountainous districts of Mergasur,
Choman, Sumeil and Rawandus. At least 180 homes were destroyed. Total estimated losses were US$150,000.
Tens of thousands of residents were forced to evacuate their homes in the Mexico states of veracruz and Tabasco
after heavy rains that fell between October 31st and the 1st triggered flash flooding and landslides and also
caused rivers to overflow their banks. At least three people were killed and over 200,000 homes were flooded
in Tabasco state alone. In neighboring veracruz state, the Uxpanapa and Agua Dulce rivers both overflowed
their banks and flooded nearly 2,000 homes in the towns of Agua Dulce and Las Choapas. Three bridges were
severely damaged and the main railroad that links Tabasco and veracruz was cut off due to a massive mudslide.
Storms affected sections of Lebanon between October 31st and November 3rd. Hundreds of homes, vehicles,
roads, billboards and other structures were damaged as flooding and high winds affected Beirut, Jounieh,
Akkar, Tyre and Sidon. Local officials reported widespread damage to agricultural fields.
A magnitude-4.9 earthquake affected China’s yunnan Province on the 2nd, injuring 28 people. The main
earthquake was centered 85 kilometers (55 miles) northeast of yunnan Province’s Dali. At least 1,000 homes
collapsed and 30,000 more sustained damage. Direct economic losses were listed at US$985,000.
Heavy rains affected parts of India between the 3rd and 12th, killing at least 77 people and injuring dozens
more. Local officials reported over 300 homes were destroyed. Heavy rains from Cyclone Phyan pelted the
Maharashtra coast and parts of Gujarat between the 10th and 12th.
A magnitude-4.8 quake affected southern Iran on the 4th. The quake was centered 20 kilometers (15 miles)
north-northwest of Bandar Abbas, Iran. At least 700 people sustained injuries as the quake rocked the port city
of Bandar Abbas.
Hurricane Ida developed on the 4th and strengthened up to a 75-mph (120-kph) hurricane just prior to its first
landfall in Tasbapauni, Nicaragua on the 5th. The cyclone crossed Nicaragua and Honduras and re-entered
the Caribbean Sea on the 6th. By the 8th, Ida re-strengthened and reached its peak intensity of 105 mph (170
kph). Ida weakened as it moved northward and made its final landfall near Bon Secour, Alabama on the 10th.
Total rainfall accumulations ranged between nine and 12 inches (22 and 30 centimeters) in Nicaragua. Ida
destroyed over 80 percent of homes in the town of Karawala near the mouth of the Rio Grande de Matagalpa.
In all, at least 930 homes were destroyed. Substantial infrastructure damage was also reported to the region’s
bridges, schools, government buildings and electrical transmission grid. Nearly 30 percent of offshore oil
production and 28 percent of natural gas output in the Gulf of Mexico was shut down in preparation for Ida’s
effects. Heavy rains associated with Ida brought between three and five inches (eight and 13 centimeters) and
isolated amounts of ten inches (25 centimeters) to the southeastern United States. Ida’s remnants paralleled the
Atlantic coastline and coupled with a new area of low pressure, becoming a Nor’easter on the 12th and 13th.
The system triggered coastal flooding and a storm surge of three to five feet (one to 1.5 meters) across sections
of the Mid-Atlantic. Damage losses were estimated at US$208 million as over 40,000 claims were filed and
beaches suffered from significant beach erosion from the Carolinas to New Jersey.
On the 5th in Taiwan, two earthquakes with magnitudes 5.6 and 5.4 damaged at least 1,200 homes. No
injuries or fatalities were reported.
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