$300 million in insured losses reported from thunderstorms in Western U.S: Aon

Aon plc’s Impact Forecasting unit announced Wednesday the release of its Global Catastrophe Recap for June, suggesting five days of severe thunderstorms caused more than $450 million in economic losses in the Western United States, at a time when thunderstorms also caused at least $2 billion in economic losses in China and a heat wave in Pakistan killed more than 1,200.

All figures are in United States dollars.

“Seasonal monsoon rains led to widespread flood and landslide damage across Asia during the month of June,” stated Impact Forecasting, a catastrophe modeling unit of London-based Aon. “More than 100,000 homes were reported damaged or destroyed in China, with total aggregate economic losses reported at nearly $4 billion.”

Also in China, at least 16 died after torrential rains and strong thunderstorms June 7 through 11. Total aggregated economic losses were reported by the Chinese government at more than $2 billion, noted Impact Forecasting.

“The provincial regions of Hunan, Guizhou, Hubei, and Gansu were worst-impacted as more than 20,000 homes were damaged by high winds, flooding, and large hail,” according to the report. “Regional officials noted that agriculture was the hardest-hit sector as tens of thousands of hectares (acres) of cropland was destroyed.”

From June 3 through 8, severe thunderstorms affected the Rockies and northern Plains states, Impact Forecasting noted.

Total economic losses were estimated “in excess” of $450 million while insurers “noted losses beyond” $300 million, Impact Forecasting added.

“The most significant impacts were registered in Colorado, where large hail (up to softball-sized), damaging straight-line winds, flash flooding, and isolated tornadoes were recorded,” according to the recap report. “Some of the damage occurred in the greater Denver metro region.”

From June 28 through 30, dozens of wildfires affected the northwestern U.S., with total economic losses “minimally estimated” at $100 million, Impact Forecasting stated.

“The most significant damage was reported in the state of Washington,” according to the report. “The Sleepy Hollow fire, near the town of Wenatchee, destroyed as many as 28 homes and other nearby businesses.”

One of June’s deadliest catastrophes was a heat wave June 18 through 24 that killed more than 1,240 in Pakistan. Economic losses are unknown in the disaster, where temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius.

“The majority of the fatalities were reported in Karachi, Sindh province, although the highest temperatures were recorded in Balochistan province,” Impact Forecasting reported. “Emergency situations were declared throughout Pakistan as several major towns and cities also suffered power outages.”