A quiet 2009 for natural disasters
It was a relatively quiet year globally for natural disasters in 2009. According to Munich Re insurance company, the death toll from 2009 natural disasters was approximately 10,000, well below the average 75,000 deaths per year seen over the decade of the 2000s. Damage from 2009 natural disasters was about $50 billion, compared to the decadal average of $115 billion, and far below the $200 billion in destruction wrought by 2008's natural disasters. The most costly disaster of 2009 was Winter Storm Klaus, which hit northern Spain and southwest France January 23 - 25, causing $5.1 billion in damage. The deadliest weather-related disaster was Category 2 Typhoon Ketsana, which killed 694 people in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Category 2 Typhoon Morakot was a close second, with 614 fatalities, primarily in Taiwan. The deadliest natural disaster overall was the magnitude 7.6 earthquake that shook the Indonesian island of Sumatra on 30 September, killing nearly 1,200 people.
Figure 1. Cars being swept away by Ketsana's flood waters in a still frame from a dramatic YouTube video captured by medical students at the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center.
I'll be back Tuesday with my selection for the top global weather event of 2009: the Horn of Africa drought.
Jeff Masters
Reader Comments
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Issued 5th January 2010
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I'm with ya Orca.
Wind chills here are Brutal
Clear
Windchill: 16 °F
Humidity: 71%
Dew Point: 15 °F
Wind: 10.0 mphfrom the West
Wind Gust: 10.0 mph
Pressure: 29.60 in (Rising)
Been busy lately. Whomever turned the heat off in the south, could you please turn it back on.
Thanks
Sheesh,Im too old fer dis stuff.
Come Thursday,I may fly to Cancun.
Omaha, Nebraska (Airport)
Updated: 8:15 AM CST on January 05, 2010
-15 °F
Freezing Fog
Windchill: -15 °F
Humidity: 84%
Dew Point: -18 °F
Wind: Calm
Pressure: 30.48 in (Steady)
Visibility: 0.0 miles
UV: 0 out of 16
Clouds: Mostly Cloudy 100 ft
Mostly Cloudy 400 ft
(Above Ground Level)
Snow Depth: 16.0 in
Elevation: 984 ft
Thanks for making me feel a little warmer
Winter Weather Advisory, Freeze Warning
Statement as of 11:46 PM CST on January 04, 2010
... Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 6 PM Wednesday
to 10 am CST Sunday...
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 6 PM Wednesday
to 10 am CST Sunday.
By late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning... a surface low
will start to develop over the northwestern Gulf. This will cause
temperatures to warm slowly with moisture increasing across the
area. Initially... light to moderate showers will be possible but
by late Thursday morning... a very cold airmass will begin to push
into the region. Rain will begin to change over to sleet and then
snow Thursday morning for areas in southern Mississippi along
with the felicianas and point coupee Parish. By Thursday
afternoon areas along and north of the 10/12 corridor will likely
see a mix of rain... sleet... and snow. At this time we are not
expecting much in the way of accumulation but a light dusting to
half an inch of accumulation on grassy areas would not be out of
the question.
All of the moisture will move out of the area by Thursday evening
and then the greater issue arrives... very cold temperatures. An
Arctic airmass will continue to move in and remain over the area
from Thursday night through Sunday. This airmass is associated
with near -40 degree temperatures in the interior of Canada. With
a nice snow pack across the upper and Central Plains as well as
the upper and mid Mississippi Valley the airmass will not
moderate considerably. The airmass is expected to bring very cold
temperatures to the area that could be comparable to the Arctic
outbreak of early February 1996... but not as low as those
experienced during the 1985 and 1989 Arctic outbreaks. Multiple
nights with lows in the teens will be possible across southern
Mississippi and portions of southeast Louisiana that are
generally north of the 10/12 corridor. Across the southshore...
lows could drop to into the lower to mid 20s for multiple nights.
The coldest temperatures are currently forecast to occur Saturday
morning with lows ranging from 13 near McComb to 23 at Galliano.
Even though it is not forecast right now... this airmass does have
the potential to cause lows that could bottom out in the single
digits across isolated locations in southern Mississippi and
maybe into the teens around the New Orleans Metro.
In addition to the cold temperatures breezy north winds will be
ongoing both Friday and Saturday mornings. This in combination
with the real cold temperatures will lead to hazardous wind chill
readings down into the single digits.
These conditions could become life threatening and at the very
least hazardous to property. Residents should make preparations
for extremely cold temperatures now.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor pipes...
pipes should be wrapped... drained... or allowed to drip slowly.
Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain their
systems... or cover any above-ground pipes to protect them from
freezing.
Pets are also subject to the extreme cold. Keep pets indoors as
much as possible. If this is not possible... make sure outdoor
pets have warm dry shelter... and provide sufficient food and
fresh unfrozen water.
Be particularly careful with portable heaters... there is a danger
of fire or poisonous fumes. Make frequent checks on the elderly.
Make sure their furnaces are working and heating the house
properly.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow... sleet... or
freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for
slippery roads and limited visibilities... and use caution while
driving.
LOL.
NOAA’s National Hurricane Center in Miami will issue watches and warnings for tropical storms and hurricanes along threatened coastal areas 12 hours earlier than in previous years. According to NHC experts, advancements in track forecasts are making it possible for forecasters to provide greater lead time.
Tropical storm watches will be issued when tropical storm conditions are possible along the coast within 48 hours. Tropical storm warnings will be issued when those conditions are expected within 36 hours. This is an increase of 12 hours from those issued in previous years.
Similar increases in lead-time will apply to hurricane watches and warnings. The hurricane watches and warnings will generally be timed to provide 48 and 36 hours notice, respectively, before the onset of tropical storm force winds. That additional time will also allow people preparing for the storm – securing oil rig platforms, getting food and water stockpiled, boarding windows, etc., – enough time to finish preparations and get to safe shelter.
Niiice! Now that's winter, kids!
I grew up in central MO and then St Louis, Unclemush, so I know from WC -15 and freezing fog...LOL
They got through it...wood stoves, fireplaces and layered clothing. We really are as tough as they were, we just dont get much chance to show it...LOL
Updated: 36 min 47 sec ago
16 °F
Mostly Cloudy
Windchill: 10 °F
Humidity: 53%
Dew Point: 1 °F
Wind: 4 mph from the North
Pressure: 30.48 in (Steady)
Visibility: 10.0 miles
UV: 0 out of 16
Clouds: Mostly Cloudy 2600 ft
(Above Ground Level)
Elevation: 873 ft
This is in NE OK. Another day in paradise with no need for sunscreen. Also forcast to be -1 on Thurs. 01-07-10. Much colder than I recall here!
Link
Lat: 40.43 Lon: -86.93 Elev: 623
Last Update on Jan 5, 9:54 am EST
Fair
7 °F
(-14 °C)
Humidity: 76 %
Wind Speed: W 9 MPH
Barometer: 30.24" (1025.2 mb)
Dewpoint: 1 °F (-17 °C)
Wind Chill: -7 °F (-22 °C)
Visibility: 10.00 mi.
Where I live now, Fort Worth TX
No room for the folks here to complain...
WOW
Your comment reminds me of how the grandparents would often say the weather is about to change due to an ache or pain in a healed wound or scar
those bitterly cold mornings do wonders for clearing out your sinuses.
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion."
-Dalai Lama
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There are studies that say that's nonsense, but I have 4 bolts and a carbon fiber lattice in my back that says otherwise
OMG are you serious, I have never experienced temps like that. I don't think i ever will.
My back is worse in winter, at the moment, summer time, I am having no problem.
Yep...it makes you move lighter and faster too and you can hear things from miles off it seems...
Freezing fog. LOL!
That is the lack of humidity as much as the denser cold air...I think.
Nearly every winter until I was about 30; winters have been MUCH milder in the central US since then (about 1990).
It's really not hard Aussie; you layer your clothing and make sure you keep your feet warm. I bought a pair of Fabiano Hikers when I was 19 and working outdoors a good bit in the the winter and they made all the difference. Took me 20 years and 3 resolings but I finally wore them out...
oh thats when another front comes in. Thurs.
You are correct sir! Less dulling of the sound waves due to lower moisture in the air...the other thing is that most folks aren't as crazy as me and stay in their warm houses when it's that cold; less background noise...LOL
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