US January weather economic losses for insurers exceeded $1 billion, after the country recorded the highest amount of tornados in January in the last 17 years, according to Aon Benfield’s Impact Forecasting.
In the second half of January, tornados struck Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida, destroying and damaging homes, businesses and other structures.
The US National Weather Service preliminarily confirmed that at least 130 tornadoes touched down during the month, the highest since 1999 when 212 were recorded.
Aside from the tornados that struck the US, consecutive weather storms hit the country earlier in the month causing at least $700 million in damage, while public and private insurance losses listed around $300 million.
Steve Bowen, director and meteorologist at Impact Forecasting, said: “January proved to be a highly active month for global natural hazards compared to recent years, especially when we look at the events in the US, where the powerful thunderstorms and winter storms had a devastating effect on people and communities, as well as causing a significant economic loss for country.”