Catastrophe Global- May 2017

Several major outbreaks of severe weather once again swept across central and eastern sections of the United States during the month of May. The widespread intense nature of the storms caused extensive damage resulting from large hail, straight-line winds, tornadoes and isolated flash flooding. The most prolific event occurred in the greater Denver, Colorado metro region, where up to softball-sized hail led to insurance payouts of more than USD1.4 billion in the state alone. Elsewhere, significant damage from severe storms –including multiple extended linear thunderstorm complexes with damaging winds and

large hail –was cited in parts of the Plains, Midwest, Southeast, and the Mid-Atlantic.

Total aggregated economic losses from US severe weather in the month was poised to exceed USD4.0 billion. Public and private insurers faced a combined payout cost approaching USD 3.0 billion. These totals were subject to change as further assessments are conducted. Elsewhere, powerful thunderstorms led to widespread hail and wind damage in parts of Canada, Russia, China, and Bangladesh. Total combined economic losses were well beyond USD100 million.

The combination of the arrival of the southwest monsoon and a developing tropical cyclone led to significant rainfall across Sri Lanka. At least 213 people were killed, with another 77 people listed as missing and presumed dead. Nearly 150 others were injured. Flooding and landslides affected 15 of the country’s 25 districts and left more than 2,200 homes were damaged or destroyed. Thousands of other structures (including hospitals, schools and religious facilities) were inundated. Total economic losses were preliminarily estimated at USD197 million.

Separate bouts of excessive rainfall led to major flooding events in Canada in May. One event affected Ontario, Quebec and the Canadian Maritimes; while the other was concentrated in British Columbia. At least four people were killed and more than 5,200 homes were damaged.

Other major flood events affected Brazil, Kenya, Tanzania, and Indonesia.

Cyclone Mora made landfall in Bangladesh, prompting widespread flood and wind damage. Affects were later felt in Myanmar. At least nine people were killed and a combined 50,000 homes and other structures were damaged. Overall aggregated losses were expected to exceed USD100 million.

Cyclone Donna became the Southern Hemisphere’s strongest tropical system ever recorded in the month of May. The storm tracked through the South Pacific Islands and caused extensive damage in parts of the Vanuatu island chain, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands.

Separate moderate earthquake events struck Iran (magnitude-5.8) and China (magnitude-5.4), killing a combined 11 people and injuring hundreds more. Thousands of homes collapsed.

Multiple regions of the globe dealt with worsening drought conditions in May. In China, the northern provincial areas of Inner Mongolia, Hebei and Liaoning cited agricultural losses of at least USD122 million. The ongoing drought in South Africa saw costs likely to exceed USD 100 million.

An outbreak of severe weather outbreak impacted southern and southeastern portions of the United States from May 2-5. The southern Plains, parts of the Mississippi Valley and Southeast were pummeled by large hail and severe wind gusts as a weak low pressure system crossed the region. There were no initial reports of any fatalities, although at least six people were injured.Damage to homes, businesses and vehicles was widespread in multiple states from high winds and large hail. Total economic losses were estimated at USD175 million; while public and private insured losses were listed at USD125 million. A multi-day severe weather event that was marked by major hailstorms led to extensive damage across parts of Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma from May 8-11. Reports out of each state highlighted significant impacts to residential and commercial properties and vehicles due to broken windows and dented roofs/siding. Some of the costliest impacts came in the greater Denver, CO metro region as up to baseball -sized hail left considerable damage in some of the western suburbs. The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (RMIIA) cited claims payouts of at least USD1.4 billion in Colorado alone; the costliest hail event on record in the state. The overall insured cost at least USD1.8 billion. Total economic losses were listed near USD2.5 billion. A further active week of severe weather led to extensive damage across central sections of the United States, leaving at least three people dead and dozens of others injured from May 14-19. The worst impacts were registered in the Rockies, Plains, Midwest and Northeast as consecutive days of powerful thunderstorms left a wide swath of damage to homes, businesses and vehicles. Excessive rainfall associated with the storm clusters additionally prompted isolated flash flooding in some areas. The most prolific day was May 18, when a rare High Risk was declared in Oklahoma and Kansas. Total economic losses were estimated at USD975 million. Public and private insurers listed losses at USD700 million. Isolated severe thunderstorms affected parts of the Plains, Midwest, Mississippi Valley, and Southeast from May 20-25, leaving at least one person dead. The bulk of the damage was inflicted by up to tea cup-sized hail and powerful wind gusts though some isolated tornado touchdowns also inflicted damage on properties, vehicles, businesses, and outbuildings. Some localized instances of flash flooding were also reported throughout the period. Total economic and insured losses were well into the millions (USD).

A significant outbreak of severe weather caused extensive damage across central and eastern sections of the United States from May 25-29, leaving two people dead and dozens of others injured. The most catastrophic impacts occurred on May 27 as extreme atmospheric instability prompted up to softball-sized hail, three separate derecho-producing thunderstorm complexes, several tornado touchdowns and isolated flash flooding across the Plains, Midwest, Tennessee Valley, and the Mid-Atlantic. Total economic and insured losses were minimally estimated to reach well into the hundreds of millions (USD).

 Remainder of North America (Non-U.S.)

Throughout April southern portions of British Columbia experienced prolonged periods of rainfall leaving several rivers flowing well above normal for the time of year. Further heavy rainfall on May 5 led to several of these rivers overflowing their banks. At least two people were killed and hundreds were evacuated as flooding impacted the southern interior region. Significant damage to infrastructure and agriculture was reported. Following on from a wet April in Eastern Canada, several low pressure systems brought further rainfall to portions of Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes from May 1-6: the heaviest of which fell on May 5-6 resulting in several rivers overflowing their banks. Two people were killed in Quebec where nearly 2,000 residents were evacuated. Significant flooding was also experienced across Ontario and in portions of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Among the worst affected communities was Ottawa-Gatineau where both the Ottawa and Gatineau Rivers burst their banks. More than 5,200 homes were damaged. A powerful low pressure system brought strong winds and storm surge flooding to southern portions of Canada’s British Columbia province on May 23 before tracking into Alberta and Saskatchewan on May 24. Numerous trees were downed and significant property damage was reported in all three provinces.

Almost 200,000 customers were without power at the storm’s peak. Additionally, flooding was reported along portions of the British Columbia coast and in Okanagan region.

South America

Heavy rainfall in the northeastern Brazilian states of Pernambuco and Alagoas prompted widespread flooding and mudslides that claimed at least 12 lives. As many as 85,000 people were left homeless in the two states. Beyond physical damage to residential and commercial structures, impacts were significant to wide swaths of infrastructure and agriculture. The federal government confirmed that BRL600 million (USD184 million) will be made available for the construction of four dams in the state, meant to increase flood protection as well as water retention during droughts.

 Europe

At least 16 people were killed and more than 200 others were injured as a powerful thunderstorm struck the greater Moscow metro region on May 29. The storm generated hail, heavy rain, and very strong wind gusts when it traversed the region. Tens of thousands of people were left without power as the storm toppled hundreds of power lines and thousands of trees. Significant damage occurred to hundreds of buildings – including the roof of the Kremlin senate – and thousands of vehicles. Total economic losses are expected in the millions (USD).

Middle East

A moderate magnitude-5.8 earthquake struck northern Iran on May 13, killing at least three people and injuring 417 others. The tremor occurred in a relatively uninhabited region in the heart of the Kopet Dag Mountain range near the border with Turkmenistan. The quake’s effects were felt in 100 cities and villages across North Khorasan province. The hardest -hit areas were in Bojnord, Maneh, and Samarghan. A total of 615 homes were destroyed.

 Africa

 Heavy rainfall in parts of Kenya triggered flooding that claimed 26 lives and displaced nearly 25,000 others across 13 counties from May 8-15. The hardest-hit areas were in the coastal, central, northeastern, and western regions. Flooding also affected northeastern Tanzania, particularly the Tanga region where seven people were killed. Hundreds of homes and roads were submerged and damaged by floodwaters. Officials in Mombasa County, Kenya, reported that KES20 billion USD194 million) was required to address the crisis and construct an adequate drainage system.

A lack of rainfall in recent months worsened drought conditions in southwestern portions of South Africa that have been prevalent since 2015. Among the worst affected areas were in the Western Cape, where a disaster was officially declared. The agricultural industry was heavily affected, with grape producers alone

citing ZAR500 million (USD39 million) in damage costs. Additional costs from lost productivity tallied ZAR285 million (USD22 million).Overall agricultural damage was even higher.

 Asia

 Portions of Northeast China and the North China Plain were officially declared to be suffering from drought during May. Parts of Inner Mongolia, Hebei, and Liaoning were impacted. More than two million people and thousands of heads of livestock were affected. The total area of crops impacted was estimated at 589,500 hectares 1.5 million acres). The aggregated economic loss was listed by china’s Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) at CNY840 million (USD122 million).

Powerful thunderstorms caused the deaths of at least 12 people and prompted a major power blackout in Bangladesh on May 1. The power outage hit 32 districts in southern and northern portions of the country and affected millions of people.

China’s Xinjiang province was rattled by a USGS-registered magnitude-5.4 earthquake on May 11. The tremor struck at 05:58AM CST local time at a shallow depth of 10.0 kilometers (6.2 miles). The epicenter was located approximately 126 kilometers (78 miles) east -southeast of Murghob, Tajikistan. Eight people were killed and a further 23 were injured. At least 1,520 homes, mainly of adobe construction, collapsed.

Seven people were killed and a further 11 sustained injuries when a landslide struck Harapan Village in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi province on May 12. The landslide destroyed 14 homes and was spawned by heavy rainfall. Other floods and andslides were noted near Jakarta and on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Sulawesi (Celebes). More than 5,000 homes in dozens of villages were inundated.

Severe weather impacted north-central provinces of China from May 13-15, causing widespread agricultural damage. The MCA noted that the worst impacts were in parts of Shanxi, Henan, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Ningxia provinces after 26,600 hectares (65,730 acres) of crops were damaged. Hundreds of homes were also affected. Total economic losses were CNY345 million (USD50 million).

Fierce thunderstorms associated with the advancing Mei-Yu rain-band triggered large hail, damaging wind gusts, and torrential rainfall across southern China from May 20-24. Some of the worst impacts were noted in the provinces of Hubei, Hunan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Guangxi . Nine people were killed. The MCA cited that 4,400 homes and 26,630 hectares (65,805 acres) of agricultural land was damaged or destroyed.

Economic losses were CNY433 million (USD63 million). Additional storms also caused damage in north China’s Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, and Shaanxi. Total economic losses were CNY400 million (USD58 million)

The arrival of the southwest monsoon –combined with moisture from what would eventually develop into Cyclone Mora –led to significant rainfall across Sri Lanka from May 25-31. At least 213 people were killed, with another 77 people listed as missing and presumed dead. Nearly 150 others were injured. Flooding and landslides affected 15 of the country’s 25 districts impacting nearly 720,000 residents from 185,000 families. More than 21,000 homes were damaged or destroyed; and thousands of other structures (including hospitals, schools and religious facilities ) were inundated.

Total economic losses were preliminarily estimated at LKR30 billion (USD197 million). Cyclone Mora made landfall in Bangladesh between Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong on May 30, prompting widespread flooding and heavy rainfall. At least nine people were killed and nearly a dozen others were injured. More than 20,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Heavy infrastructure and agricultural damage was additionally reported. Similar impacts were cited in Myanmar from Mora’s remnants after nearly 20,000 homes and other structures were damaged. Overall aggregated losses attributable to Mora were expected to exceed USD100 million.