B.C. storm in November caused economic losses “well into the millions”: Aon Benfield

A storm system that impacted the Pacific Northwest in the United States on Nov. 16 to 18 also led to widespread damage in British Columbia, with total economic losses “well into the millions” in U.S. dollars, Impact Forecasting said in its Global Catastrophe Recap report, released on Tuesday.

Impact Forecasting, Aon Benfield’s catastrophe model development team, said that although the severe weather on Nov. 16 and 17 caused no deaths, “hundreds” of structures in B.C. were affected. “Hurricane-force winds, heavy snowfall and periods of heavy rain led to damage to many towns across the province,” the report said. “More than 110,000 power outages were also cited.”

In the U.S., an active weather pattern brought a series of storm systems to the Pacific Northwest from Nov. 16 to 18, leading to widespread damage and disruption. At least three people were killed as winds gusting to hurricane force led to more than 500,000 power outages and severe tree damage in parts of Washington, Oregon and Idaho, the report said. Heavy rains also prompted flash flooding and mudslides in isolated locations. Total economic losses were expected to exceed US$100 million.

Later in November in central U.S., periods of heavy snow, freezing rain, ice and heavy rain led to widespread damage in several states from Nov. 25 to 29. At least 18 people were killed, primarily due to auto accidents. Among the hardest hit areas were Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma, where excessive ice accumulation led to fallen trees and power lines falling onto homes, businesses and vehicles. Total economic losses were also expected to exceed US$100 million.

Related: Powerful winds knock power out for tens of thousands of BC Hydro customers

Elsewhere, an enhanced North East Monsoon – impacted by the current El Niño – brought weeks of torrential rainfall to southern India and Sri Lanka for much of November and into early December. Portions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh states were heavy impacted by floods that claimed at least 386 lives. Total economic losses in India were estimated to reach as high as US$3 billion, the report said.

Other catastrophes in November included the following:

• Winter storms swept through northern China, leading to minimal economic losses of US$268 million;

• Nearly 100 tornadoes touched down across the U.S. Midwest and Plains;

• Severe thunderstorms – primarily hail and straight-line winds – prompted tens of millions of dollars (U.S.) worth of damage in South Africa and Australia;

• “One of the worst droughts in decades” intensified in South Africa as water shortages affected 2.7 million households. Total economic losses were estimated to exceed US$2 billion;

• A pair of rare cyclones made historic landfalls in Yemen, triggering torrential rainfall and gusty winds that left at least 26 dead; and

• Multiple wildfires burned just to the north of South Australia’s Adelaide, killing two people. Hundreds of homes and non-residential structures were damaged or destroyed, with “significant” impact to the agricultural industry. The Insurance Council of Australia preliminarily cited 1,344 filed insurance claims, with payouts of US$88 million.