Storm Arwen costs "tens of millions of euros"

A prolific “atmospheric river” caused catastrophic impacts in Canada’s southern British Columbia province in mid-November, resulting in a province-wide State of Emergency and killing four people. This is according to Aon’s latest catastrophe recap.

Damage to property, agricultural interests and infrastructure was widespread, which also resulted in notable supply chain disruptions. The economic loss was anticipated to approach or exceed $2 billion in Canada alone. Heavy rains also affected the US state of Washington, where additional economic losses were estimated to reach $200m.

Meanwhile in Europe, Arwen, the first windstorm event of the current season, primarily affected parts of the United Kingdom with strong winds and brought wintry conditions and disruption on 26 to 27 November. Three people were killed, and power outages affected nearly one million people.

Total economic and insured losses from the event were expected to reach tens of millions of euros, notably lower than initially feared from forecasts.

Steve Bowen, managing director and head of Catastrophe Insight for Aon’s Impact Forecasting team, said: “The reality of heavier rainfall events and subsequent flooding continues to become more evident on a seemingly monthly basis as new examples of extreme events occur.

“2021 has recorded several record-setting events in parts of Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, which has further exposed structural, agricultural and infrastructure vulnerabilities to high-intensity, low-interval rainfall occurrences.

“Recent events in Canada, India and Australia serve as reminders of the need to navigate the increasing volatility of these events and the interconnected and more severe risks they present.”