Severe weather in Canada in late June caused economic losses of more than US$40 million: Impact Forecasting

Severe weather in Canada on June 22 caused economic losses of more than US$40 million, noted Impact Forecasting’s Global Catastrophe Recap for July.

In addition, wildfires caused minor structural damage in Canada and the United States, Impact Forecasting said on Thursday. “Hot, dry and windy conditions fanned the flames of wildfires burning in Canada’s western provinces at the start of the month,” the report read. “Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan were the worst affected as more than 12,000 residents were evacuated. At least one person died and a dozen homes were destroyed.” [click image below to enlarge]

In the United States, consecutive days of powerful thunderstorms brought extensive damage to much of the U.S. Midwest from July 12 through 14, killing at least four people and injuring several others, Impact Forecasting reported. “The storms brought periods of high winds, isolated tornadoes, up to grapefruit-sized hail, and flash flooding to as many as 15 states,” the report said. Downed trees, punctured roofs from debris and hail, and broken windows were among the most widely reported impacts. Total economic losses were estimated at US$400 million, while insurers noted losses in excess of US$275 million.

Three consecutive days of severe thunderstorms also brought extensive damage to the U.S. Midwest and northern Plains from July 16 through 18, killing at least four individuals and injuring numerous more. The storms brought high winds, large hail, flashing flooding, and isolated tornadoes to 10 states. Separate EF2 twisters in Illinois damaged more than 100 homes. Downed trees were widely reported as was damage from large hail. Economic losses were estimated at US$75 million; while insurers noted losses in excess of US$50 million.

Two separate stretches of severe thunderstorms impacted the United States in July. Most of the damage occurred in the Midwest, Plains, Southeast and the Northeast as a result of tornadoes, large hail, and damaging straight-line winds. The preliminary cost to insurers was at least US$325 million. [click image below to enlarge]

Throughout the rest of the world, Typhoon Chan-hom tracked across much of the Western Pacific Ocean during the first half of July, causing damage in China, Japan’s Okinawa Island chain, South Korea, Taiwan and Guam. At least six people died and more than 30 others were injured. The storm’s most significant impacts were registered in China, where more than 5,000 homes were damaged and destroyed after Chan-hom made landfall in Zheijang Province. Agricultural interests and infrastructure sustained the brunt of the damage, with the Ministry of Civil Affairs citing more than US$1.5 billion in economic damages.

Additional landfalling tropical cyclones in Asia during the month of July included Typhoon Linfa and Super Typhoon Nangka. Linfa came ashore in the northern Philippines as a tropical storm before later strengthening and making multiple landfalls in southern China. Total economic losses were US$214 million. Nangka was much weakened as it made landfall on southern Japan’s Shikoku Island. The storm brought heavy rains and gusty winds as total economic losses were estimated up to US$200 million, the report said.

Seasonal monsoon rains also brought considerable flooding and landslides across a broad swath of southern Asia in July. More than 250 people were killed and hundreds of others were injured. Some of the most significant damage was registered in parts of China, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Total aggregated economic losses were more than US$2 billion, with much of the losses sustained in China, Impact Forecasting said.

Severe drought conditions lingered across at least 10 Chinese provinces during July. Total economic losses were estimated at US$1.8 billion.