For the past century, the average number of natural disasters around the world has steadily increased.
OVERALL LOSSES BY EVENT TYPE
MOST DEVASTATING NATURAL DISASTER EVENTS WORLDWIDE
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Wildfire, USA Fatalities: 25 Losses: $10.5 billion |
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Typhoon Hato, China, Vietnam Fatalities: 22 Losses: $3.5 billion |
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Drought, Europe Fatalities: 0 Losses: $3.8 billion |
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Hurricane Harvey, USA Fatalities: 88 Losses: $85 billion |
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Earthquake, Mexico Fatalities: 2,700 Losses: $6 billion |
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Hurricane Irma, USA, Caribbean Fatalities: 128 Losses: $67 billion |
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Flood & Landslide, China Fatalities: 56 Losses: $6 billion |
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Hurricane Maria, Caribbean Fatalities: 108 Losses: $63 billion |
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Flood, South Asia Fatalities: 2,700 Losses: $3.5 billion |
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Wildfire, USA Fatalities: 25 Losses: $10.5 billion |
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Drought, Europe Fatalities: 0 Losses: $3.8 billion |
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Earthquake, Mexico Fatalities: 2,700 Losses: $6 billion |
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Flood & Landslide, China Fatalities: 56 Losses: $6 billion |
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Flood, South Asia Fatalities: 2,700 Losses: $3.5 billion |
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Typhoon Hato, China, Vietnam Fatalities: 22 Losses: $3.5 billion |
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Hurricane Harvey, USA Fatalities: 88 Losses: $85 billion |
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Hurricane Irma, USA, Caribbean Fatalities: 128 Losses: $67 billion |
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Hurricane Maria, Caribbean Fatalities: 108 Losses: $63 billion |
Data from Munich Re, NatCatSERVICE
It often takes a major event to change regulations and laws that protect disaster-prone areas. A few have brought about change — and continue to do so today.
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted in late 2015 to require retrofitting for an estimated 15,000 wood and concrete buildings to better withstand seismic activity. (The LA Times)
Local, state and federal governments worked together with emergency agencies to introduce land use controls and new building codes that strengthen construction and reduce risk. (The Geographical Review)
A series of regulations were created for all of Japan, establishing standards for radiation levels in foods and a new nuclear regulatory agency to push changes in reactor installation, plans for construction works and operational safety programs. (Library of Congress)
Officials in Harris County, Texas, approved new regulations on building construction in flood-prone areas, increasing the elevation for new homes and structures, which is up to 8 feet in some areas. (The Associated Press)
This article was first published in BenchMark magazine, 2018 No. 2. Get more of our latest insights here.
Raising the Elevation of a Substation |
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