Jonathan Clark, Head of Public Sector Specialty, U.S.
Hurricane Michael made landfall on October 10 as a high-end Category-4 hurricane on the Florida Panhandle, with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph. The storm rendered severe to complete damage to areas from Panama City to Port Saint Joe, with especially severe damage in Mexico Beach due to severe wind and storm surge. Damage due to wind has caused roof and wall collapse, especially for cinderblock construction and even commercial properties. Some coastal areas of Mexico Beach have been scoured to the foundation by storm surge and wave battering. At least twelve fatalities have been reported by media, although this number could rise as damage survey and search and rescue efforts continue. Our thoughts and concerns are with those lost and directly affected by this event. Hurricane Michael is the strongest hurricane to affect the Continental U.S. since Hurricane Andrew (1992).
In the West-Pacific Basin, Typhoon Trami made landfall in the city of Tanabe, Japan (Wakayama prefecture) on 30 September at around 11 UTC (8 PM local time), according to media reports. Before reaching Honshu, the typhoon had rendered considerable impacts while making close approach to Okinawa, Kyūshū and Shikoku Islands. Trami brought significant flood impacts as a result of heavy rainfall and storm surge, as well as variable property damage due to wind. Significant power outages and transportation disruption have been reported by media. Over 4.3 million people were given evacuation orders or advisories. Media reports indicate at least four fatalities and 120 injured. It will take time to fully assess the complete scope and severity of the event, and our first thoughts and concerns are with those directly affected. Continue reading…
Here we present a recap of recent thought leadership from Guy Carpenter.
In the West Pacific Basin, Super Typhoon Mangkhut made landfall in Northern Luzon as a Category-5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale just after 18 UTC September 14, according to advisories of the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC). Significant impacts have been reported by media including severe damage due to wind and flooding as well as mudslides. Impacts to agricultural interests in the area have also been reported. After some weakening, Mangkhut then made final landfall just west of Hong Kong as a Category-1 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale just after 06 UTC September 16 in Taishan, according to JTWC and media reports. Considerable impacts due to wind and flooding were reported in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong. Media reports indicate at least 70 fatalities as a result of Mangkhut, and our thoughts and concerns are with those lost and affected by this event.
Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina at 7:15 AM EDT (1115 UTC) September 14, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Maximum sustained winds at landfall were 90 mph, a strong category-one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. The storm slowed considerably at landfall causing prolonged exposure of affected areas to damaging wind gusts and significant rainfall. Significant flooding has been reported for areas of the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic, with greatest severity in areas of eastern North Carolina. The storm has since weakened to a tropical depression while moving into the Ohio Valley. Florence should move through Pennsylvania and New England over the next day or so with an increase in forward speed, and the flood threat persists in the meantime. Downed trees and power lines along with variable property damage have been reported along with significant to catastrophic flooding; the most severely affected areas are in eastern North Carolina. Media reports indicate at least 25 fatalities, and our thoughts and concerns are with those lost and directly affected by this event.
Elizabeth Cleary, Managing Director
Jonathan Clark, Head of Public Sector Specialty, U.S.
In the West Pacific Basin, Typhoon Jebi made first landfall on Shikoku (Tokushima Prefecture) at around 03 UTC on 4 September, and then second landfall near Kobe (Hyōgo Prefecture) at around 05 UTC on the same day. The storm brought reports of damaging wind gusts in excess of 160 km/hr (100 mph), flooding due to storm surge and heavy rainfall and mudslides. Widespread damage and power outages have been reported by media across southern Japan. Flood impacts have been especially severe in the Osaka Prefecture, where the Kansai International Airport was affected by storm surge, with disruption also to transportation links. Media reports indicate at least eleven fatalities and 400 injured. It will take time to fully assess the full scope and severity of this ongoing event, and our first thoughts and concerns are with those directly affected.
