2013’s Global Disasters Killed More, Cost Less, Report Says

Natural disasters in 2013 killed more than 20,000 people and caused around $125 billion in damages, reported reinsurer Munich Re on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The year’s disaster-related death toll was higher than 2012, but below the average of the previous 10 years, which was 106,000. The company also reported that monetary losses were below the average of the last decade — $186 billion.

Supertyphoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines on Nov. 7, was probably the strongest recorded cyclone ever to make landfall, according to Munich Re, and also the year’s deadliest disaster. More than 6,000 people were killed by the storm and millions were left homeless. “Haiyan shows the importance of government measures in construction planning,” said Ludger Arnoldussen, of Munich Reʼs Board of Management, in a statement.

2013’s costliest natural disaster was the flooding in southern and eastern Germany in June. According to the company, overall losses were $15.2 billion. And the most expensive disaster for the insurance industry was a series of hailstorms that struck Germany in late July, damaging cars and buildings leading to $3.7 billion in insurance payouts.

In the U.S., the most serious natural disaster was a series of severe tornadoes that struck Oklahoma, including the devastating tornado that destroyed much of Moore on May 21. Approximately 10,000 houses were damaged or destroyed, causing $3.1 billion in damage.

The year saw the lowest number of hurricanes in the North Atlantic since 1982, said Munich Re, with no hurricane-strength storms reaching the U.S. mainland. In the past, the annual average has been six hurricanes.

“Several of the events of 2013 illustrated how well warnings and loss minimisation measures can restrict the impact of natural catastrophes," said Torsten Jeworrek, Munich Re Board member responsible for global reinsurance business, in a statement.

“At the same time, events like those in the Philippines show the urgent need for more to be done in developing and emerging countries to protect people better," Jeworrek added. "This includes stabler buildings and protection facilities, and insurance programs – also with state backing – to provide those affected with financial assistance after a disaster.”

2013’s Natural Disasters by the Numbers:

• 880 natural disasters (10-year average: 790)
• 20,000 deaths (10-year average: 106,000)
• $125 billion in overall losses (10-year average: $184 billion)
• $31 billion in insured losses (10-year average: $56 billion)
• 31 named typhoons
• 0 hurricane-strength storms reached the U.S. mainland (long-term average: 6)

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