Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

A quiet 2009 for natural disasters

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 04:35 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010

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

Categories: Climate Summaries

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201. FLPandhandleJG 08:21 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
interesting.. Member Since: Agustus 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1997

202. hurricanejunky 08:22 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting Floodman: Back at ya, man! This could cost y'all a lot, huh? I sure hope not. We paid a pretty penny for all those fruit trees! Thankfully they're only about 8 months old so they're all around 4-5 ft which makes them easy to cover. Last year we didn't have them but our other plants took a big hit during the 3 hard freezes we had. 28F one morning had the whole lawn covered in frost which was pretty neat looking but the grass didn't like it much. Needless to say we're covering as much as we can this year! Member Since: Agustus 28, 2006 Posts: 6 Comments: 2877

203. auburn (Mod) 08:25 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting hurricanejunky: I sure hope not. We paid a pretty penny for all those fruit trees! Thankfully they're only about 8 months old so they're all around 4-5 ft which makes them easy to cover. Last year we didn't have them but our other plants took a big hit during the 3 hard freezes we had. 28F one morning had the whole lawn covered in frost which was pretty neat looking but the grass didn't like it much. Needless to say we're covering as much as we can this year! You better get them covered soon...this is for E Cen Al...Friday Night Colder. Partly cloudy. Lows 5 to 11. Wind chill readings 9 below to 15 above zero. Member Since: Agustus 27, 2006 Posts: 539 Comments: 46938

204. Floodman 08:29 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting hurricanejunky: I sure hope not. We paid a pretty penny for all those fruit trees! Thankfully they're only about 8 months old so they're all around 4-5 ft which makes them easy to cover. Last year we didn't have them but our other plants took a big hit during the 3 hard freezes we had. 28F one morning had the whole lawn covered in frost which was pretty neat looking but the grass didn't like it much. Needless to say we're covering as much as we can this year! We pretty much have nothing but zone 7 stuff so this won't do much, unless it stalls. Just to be safe I added heet to the tank today (first time in 5 years, since I left MO)...you DO NOT want your fuel lines freezing...hey, you guys do need to either heat wrap external plumbing (hose bibbs and such) or leave a trickle running...particularly the northern half or so of the state Member Since: Agustus 2, 2006 Posts: 10 Comments: 9919

205. FLPandhandleJG 08:29 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
90hours or 3days out 96hours out 102hours out Member Since: Agustus 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1997

206. Bordonaro 08:36 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
#205. JG, the 18Z NAM run is going on now. In an hour/two the 18Z GFS will be ready, LINK below: Link Member Since: Agustus 25, 2009 Posts: 20 Comments: 6785

207. hurricane23 08:39 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
...FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MIAMI HAS ISSUED A FREEZE WATCH... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING. CLEAR SKIES AND LIGHT TO NEAR CALM WINDS WILL CREATE EXCELLENT CONDITIONS FOR COOLING TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING ACROSS THE EAST COAST METRO AREAS. THE COOLEST READINGS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY WHERE READINGS IN THE UPPER 20S TO LOWER 30S ARE POSSIBLE ALL THE WAY TO THE COAST. IN METRO BROWARD AND METRO MIAMI-DADE COUNTIES...TEMPERATURES NEAR OR JUST BELOW FREEZING ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE FAR WESTERN SUBURBS...SUCH AS CORAL SPRINGS...WESTON...AND OTHER AREAS NEAR HIGHWAY 27 IN BROWARD AND KROME AVENUE IN MIAMI-DADE. READINGS JUST ABOVE FREEZING...IN THE MID 30S...ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE BROWARD AND MIAMI-DADE METRO AREAS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Member Since: Mei 14, 2006 Posts: 8 Comments: 13327

208. TampaSpin 08:40 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
If this is true.....WOW! Member Since: September 2, 2007 Posts: 176 Comments: 19767

209. Bordonaro 08:40 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting hurricane23: ...FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MIAMI HAS ISSUED A FREEZE WATCH... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING. CLEAR SKIES AND LIGHT TO NEAR CALM WINDS WILL CREATE EXCELLENT CONDITIONS FOR COOLING TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING ACROSS THE EAST COAST METRO AREAS. THE COOLEST READINGS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY WHERE READINGS IN THE UPPER 20S TO LOWER 30S ARE POSSIBLE ALL THE WAY TO THE COAST. IN METRO BROWARD AND METRO MIAMI-DADE COUNTIES...TEMPERATURES NEAR OR JUST BELOW FREEZING ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE FAR WESTERN SUBURBS...SUCH AS CORAL SPRINGS...WESTON...AND OTHER AREAS NEAR HIGHWAY 27 IN BROWARD AND KROME AVENUE IN MIAMI-DADE. READINGS JUST ABOVE FREEZING...IN THE MID 30S...ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE BROWARD AND MIAMI-DADE METRO AREAS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... I know GeoffWPB, Grothar and others in S FL are NOT happy about this!! Member Since: Agustus 25, 2009 Posts: 20 Comments: 6785

210. Drakoen 08:41 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting hurricane23: ...FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MIAMI HAS ISSUED A FREEZE WATCH... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING. CLEAR SKIES AND LIGHT TO NEAR CALM WINDS WILL CREATE EXCELLENT CONDITIONS FOR COOLING TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING ACROSS THE EAST COAST METRO AREAS. THE COOLEST READINGS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS PALM BEACH COUNTY WHERE READINGS IN THE UPPER 20S TO LOWER 30S ARE POSSIBLE ALL THE WAY TO THE COAST. IN METRO BROWARD AND METRO MIAMI-DADE COUNTIES...TEMPERATURES NEAR OR JUST BELOW FREEZING ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE FAR WESTERN SUBURBS...SUCH AS CORAL SPRINGS...WESTON...AND OTHER AREAS NEAR HIGHWAY 27 IN BROWARD AND KROME AVENUE IN MIAMI-DADE. READINGS JUST ABOVE FREEZING...IN THE MID 30S...ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE BROWARD AND MIAMI-DADE METRO AREAS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Adrian, did you see the NAM MOS and GFS MOS guidance? They have come in colder with readings in the upper 20s for WPB Tuesday night. I'd imagine you guys would be on tap for some lower to mid 30s if that verifies. Member Since: Oktober 28, 2006 Posts: 57 Comments: 29012

211. FLPandhandleJG 08:42 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Member Since: Agustus 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1997

212. FLPandhandleJG 08:43 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting Bordonaro: #205. JG, the 18Z NAM run is going on now. In an hour/two the 18Z GFS will be ready, LINK below: Link okay thanks bob.. Member Since: Agustus 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1997

213. Skyepony (Mod) 08:43 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
~8 hours left to the start of Weather Underground's forecasting contest.. All ya'll constantly leaving us a forecast..lets see how good you are against the rest of us. First up is Burlington, VT. We forecast Tue-Fri for 2 weeks then move to another city. Sign up & enter here! Member Since: Agustus 10, 2005 Posts: 145 Comments: 29957

214. VAbeachhurricanes 08:46 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting Drakoen: Adrian, did you see the NAM MOS and GFS MOS guidance? They have come in colder with readings in the upper 20s for WPB Tuesday night. I'd imagine you guys would be on tap for some lower to mid 30s if that verifies. drak what do you think about the call for snow for me thrusday night into friday? think it will pan out? Member Since: September 6, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4876

215. VAbeachhurricanes 08:46 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting FLPandhandleJG: can anyone here confirm that? Member Since: September 6, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4876

216. FLPandhandleJG 08:47 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
The weather channel needs to update this.. I dont agree with this lol.. o yea i forgot we talking about the weather channel.. ha Member Since: Agustus 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1997

217. Drakoen 08:47 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting VAbeachhurricanes: drak what do you think about the call for snow for me thrusday night into friday? think it will pan out? I see that happening with little to no accumulation. Member Since: Oktober 28, 2006 Posts: 57 Comments: 29012

218. auburn (Mod) 08:49 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting VAbeachhurricanes: can anyone here confirm that? Yep I have flurries here in East Cent Al...right at the most eastward blob Member Since: Agustus 27, 2006 Posts: 539 Comments: 46938

219. Floodman 08:50 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
For those of us about to be pretty cold, try this: This was taken during the Australasian Anarctic Expedition of 1911-1914 (the photo is from 1913, I believe)...Australia has a an organization called The Mawson Huts Foundation trying to preserve the site on the Antarctic mainland. We were just talking about snorkel parkas and such; think about what these guys had as "state of the art" winter gear...LOL Member Since: Agustus 2, 2006 Posts: 10 Comments: 9919

220. TheCaneWhisperer 08:50 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
GLADES-HENDRY-INLAND PALM BEACH- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MOORE HAVEN...CLEWISTON...PAHOKEE... SOUTH BAY...BELLE GLADE...WELLINGTON 247 PM EST MON JAN 4 2010 ...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 8 AM EST TUESDAY... ...FREEZE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MIAMI HAS ISSUED A FREEZE WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 8 AM EST TUESDAY. THIS REPLACES THE FREEZE WATCH PREVIOUSLY IN EFFECT. A FREEZE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING. TEMPERATURES MAY ONCE AGAIN FALL TO AROUND OR JUST BELOW 32 DEGREES FOR A FEW HOURS TONIGHT INTO TUESDAY MORNING ACROSS PARTS OF GLADES... HENDRY AND INLAND PALM BEACH COUNTIES. FREEZING TEMPERATURES POSSIBLY AS LOW AS THE UPPER 20S WILL BE POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY MORNING SO A FREEZE WATCH CONTINUES FOR THESE AREAS.

221. Drakoen 08:50 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting Skyepony: ~8 hours left to the start of Weather Underground's forecasting contest.. All ya'll constantly leaving us a forecast..lets see how good you are against the rest of us. First up is Burlington, VT. We forecast Tue-Fri for 2 weeks then move to another city. Sign up & enter here! Do you have to submit the forecast for all the days before the 8 hours is up? Member Since: Oktober 28, 2006 Posts: 57 Comments: 29012

222. hurricane23 08:52 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting Drakoen: Adrian, did you see the NAM MOS and GFS MOS guidance? They have come in colder with readings in the upper 20s for WPB Tuesday night. I'd imagine you guys would be on tap for some lower to mid 30s if that verifies. Yep sure did...Forcast is for a high of 55 tommorow as the perfect conditions set up for some really cold temps across the metro areas.We hit 38 back in febuary 09. Member Since: Mei 14, 2006 Posts: 8 Comments: 13327

223. VAbeachhurricanes 08:52 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting Drakoen: Do you have to submit the forecast for all the days before the 8 hours is up? nope Member Since: September 6, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4876

225. FLPandhandleJG 08:55 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Member Since: Agustus 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1997

226. presslord 08:55 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
WU mail me if you're interested in a little 'side action' on the forecast contest... Member Since: Agustus 13, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 10405

227. TheCaneWhisperer 08:56 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting hurricane23: Yep sure did...Forcast is for a high of 55 tommorow as the perfect conditions set up for some really cold temps across the metro areas.We hit 38 back in febuary 09. Very odd to see two back to back bitter cold winters round here. Has, me scratching my head. Surely not an attribute of El Nino, must be to do with the -NAO and AOI.

228. Bordonaro 08:59 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
227. Correct, -AO and -NAO are the cause of this. Places like Alaska right now are getting a break, because their Arctic air is being directed into the Eastern 2/3 of the CONUS. El Modiki El Nino, an El Nino acting like a "La Nina". Member Since: Agustus 25, 2009 Posts: 20 Comments: 6785

229. FLPandhandleJG 09:02 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Member Since: Agustus 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1997

230. NEwxguy 09:03 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
whether you live in the south midwest or Northeast,better get use to this pattern for a while,may break out for a while around the middle of the month. Member Since: September 6, 2007 Posts: 820 Comments: 13275

232. StormChaser81 09:07 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
This is amazing how far down this cold air is getting... 5 Miles SE Brownsville TXSkip to Detailed 7-Day Forecast Hi 64 °F Thursday Night Rain/Sleet Chance for Measurable Precipitation 80% Rain/Sleet Lo 35 °F Friday Chance Rain/Sleet Chance for Measurable Precipitation 40% Chance Rain/Sleet Hi 35 °F Member Since: Agustus 11, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 2315

233. Bordonaro 09:07 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Btwntx08..Everything you always wanted in an Area Forecast Discussion, dress warm. Wow, 24-36 hrs in the 30's, maybe a lil' snow!! Member Since: Agustus 25, 2009 Posts: 20 Comments: 6785

234. TheCaneWhisperer 09:08 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting Drakoen: Adrian, did you see the NAM MOS and GFS MOS guidance? They have come in colder with readings in the upper 20s for WPB Tuesday night. I'd imagine you guys would be on tap for some lower to mid 30s if that verifies. The January Record is 27 for West Palm. Looks like we'll be flirting with that.

236. weatherman874 09:10 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting Bordonaro: Btwntx08..Everything you always wanted in an Area Forecast Discussion, dress warm. Wow, 24-36 hrs in the 30's, maybe a lil' snow!! New Orleans, the high was 33!! for friday, that is cold! Member Since: Mei 25, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 250

237. FLPandhandleJG 09:11 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
only to get colder.. burrr Member Since: Agustus 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1997

238. TampaFLUSA 09:13 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting TheCaneWhisperer: The January Record is 27 for West Palm. Looks like we'll be flirting with that. What do u think Tampa will be like? Member Since: Juni 21, 2007 Posts: 10 Comments: 1657

239. Drakoen 09:14 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting TheCaneWhisperer: The January Record is 27 for West Palm. Looks like we'll be flirting with that. The NAM MOS has 28 and the GFS MOS has 29. Member Since: Oktober 28, 2006 Posts: 57 Comments: 29012

240. Drakoen 09:15 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting TampaFLUSA: What do u think Tampa will be like? Upper 20s Member Since: Oktober 28, 2006 Posts: 57 Comments: 29012

241. CybrTeddy 09:18 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
The thing that makes Florida's cold more miserable in some ways than up north is how drastic the change is. Sometimes it can be 72-80 degrees then a cold front comes through, dropping it down to a good 25 degrees for a low and 52 degrees for a high. Followed by the next day it can reach like 84 degrees for the high. Hard to adjust. Member Since: Juli 8, 2005 Posts: 255 Comments: 20632

242. TheCaneWhisperer 09:18 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting TampaFLUSA: What do u think Tampa will be like? Most likely about 5 degrees cooler. Your record is 21 set back in 1985. Most of Florida will be flirting with all time records Wednesday morning.

243. TampaFLUSA 09:19 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting TheCaneWhisperer: All time Most likely about 5 degrees cooler. Your record is 21 set back in 1985. Most of Florida will be flirting with all time records Wednesday morning. 25 and below is when the damage really begins to affect crops... Member Since: Juni 21, 2007 Posts: 10 Comments: 1657

244. TheCaneWhisperer 09:23 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting TampaFLUSA: 25 and below is when the damage really begins to affect crops... Duration & Frost as well. Frost being the nail in the coffin.

245. Patrap 09:29 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Something WUnderful is going to Happen... Member Since: Juli 3, 2005 Posts: 377 Comments: 112968

246. NEwxguy 09:30 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Just protect your oranges down there,don't want the prices going up on my orange juice.They'll be out there spraying them with water,I bet. Member Since: September 6, 2007 Posts: 820 Comments: 13275

247. charlottefl 09:33 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
My Aunt owned an orange grove up until this past year. She would always say 27 degrees or less for more than 4 hours will kill the fruit. She was lucky in 89. It was really windy, saved the gove. Member Since: Desember 18, 2006 Posts: 7 Comments: 2685

248. weatherman874 09:33 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting Patrap: Something WUnderful is going to Happen... Snow in New Orleans 3 times in 6 years woah woah, hopefully... Member Since: Mei 25, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 250

249. Bordonaro 09:35 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
The GFS 18Z forecast run is underway. I hear it's not the most reliable run, should be finished in about 60-90 min. I am real curious to see the 00Z run later this evening will show, as the Southern Plains Arctic Outbreak clock is ticking :0). Member Since: Agustus 25, 2009 Posts: 20 Comments: 6785

250. Floodman 09:39 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Quoting NEwxguy: Just protect your oranges down there,don't want the prices going up on my orange juice.They'll be out there spraying them with water,I bet. Yep, you don't want to let your oranges freeze...and I will not go any further with that one... Member Since: Agustus 2, 2006 Posts: 10 Comments: 9919

251. NRAamy 09:41 PM GMT on Januari 04, 2010
Yep, you don't want to let your oranges freeze...and I will not go any further with that one... chicken.... ;) Member Since: Januari 24, 2007 Posts: 315 Comments: 31939

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