Catastrophes in 2017 cost $306 billion

Total economic losses from natural and man-made disasters in 2017 are estimated at around $306 billion, 63% higher than last year, with the U.S., Mexico, and Caribbean countries hit hardest

Feb-Jun, United States: High number of severe thunderstorms. Four-day storm in Colorado and other southern and central states cost $2.8bn in economic losses

Other: Includes weather extremes in Europe and severe floods in South East Asia

Oct, United States: Wildfires in Northern California affected residential and commercial property. Fires still raging in Southern California – full-year losses likely to be higher

$1.3bn Mar, Australia: Tropical Cyclone Debbie caused widespread flooding in central and southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales

Aug-Sep, United States, Caribbean: Three category 4+ hurricanes – Harvey, Irma, and Maria – caused destruction from Texas to Florida and across many small island states

$2bn Sep, Mexico: Major earthquakes in Tehuantepec and Puebla

More than 11,000 people died or went missing in disasters in 2017

$1bn 
$31.4bn
$7.3bn
$93bn
Total insured losses, 2017  $136 billion


Source: Swiss Re
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