Dorian ties as strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane on record: Aon

Hurricane Dorian tied as the strongest landfalling hurricane on record in the Atlantic Ocean, according to Aon’s Global Catastrophe Recap report.

The report reveals that Hurricane Dorian made landfalls in the Bahamas, the United States and Canada. The most catastrophic impacts occurred in the northern Bahamas as Dorian struck at 185 mph. Dorian tied as the strongest landfalling hurricane on record in the Atlantic Ocean.

Total economic and insured losses in the Bahamas alone were expected to be billions of $US and it is likely to become the country’s most expensive disaster on record, said Aon. Further economic damage in the U.S. and Canada was poised to approach a combined $1.5 billion.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Faxai made landfall in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture and later affected many populated areas, including Tokyo. The storm damaged a minimum of 40,000 homes, with The General Insurance Association of Japan citing that a minimum of 185,000 claims had already been filed. Total insured losses were minimally expected to approach USD5 billion, with the overall economic cost even higher, said Aon.

Steve Bowen, director and meteorologist within Aon’s impact forecasting team, said: “September is typically one of the most active from a meteorological perspective as it represents the historical peak of tropical cyclone activity in the Northern Hemisphere. Unsurprisingly, this also translates into being one of the costlier months for the insurance industry.

“The events of 2019 will mark, thus far, the most expensive month for disasters following major cyclone events including Dorian (Bahamas & the U.S.) and Faxai (Japan). While the year overall remains quieter from a loss perspective than 2017 and 2018, it is still imperative to remain cognizant of the weather risks that exist in the fourth quarter.”