A spate of powerful tornadoes in Tennessee, as well as further instances of hail and non-tornadic wind damage across several other US states, is expected by Aon to inflict economic damage well into the hundreds of millions of dollars, with most of that insured.
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Powerful and deadly tornadoes tracked across central Tennessee during the early morning hours of March 3, killing at least 24 people and injuring nearly 300 others. All fatalities occurred within the greater Nashville metro region.
A state of emergency was declared as large tornadoes damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and other businesses.
Aon notes that additional convective storm damage was seen in several other states during the period between March 2-5.
Tornado touchdowns were confirmed in Missouri, Kentucky, and Alabama while large hail – including hailstones topping the size of golf balls, tennis balls, and baseballs in some cases – was cited in parts of Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Illinois.
In Europe, no fewer than five distinct and successive low-pressure systems formed between February 27 and March 3 with strong wind gusts.
Aon says the impact of these storms was largely limited to relatively small regions and did not reach a significant level.
Collectively, the storms were expected to result in economic and insured losses in the lower hundreds of millions.
Additional natural disaster events this week included severe weather in Honduras and flooding in Brazil.
