Shortly after 02:30 UTC on Monday, 8 March an earthquake of magnitude 6.0 (moment magnitude) occurred in the Elazig province of eastern Turkey. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has reported a fixed focal depth of 7.5 miles (12 km) and an epicentral location at 38.88N, 39.99E, close to the village of Basyurt; 45 miles (70 km) east northeast of Elazig; and 390 miles (625 km) east of the Turkish capital, Ankara. The earthquake struck in the mountainous steppe region, causing damage and death in six villages close to the town of Kovancilar. The vulnerable structures of traditional mud-brick construction have been particularly affected, and in two villages reports indicate complete collapse of such housing. Cement and stone structures, though limited in this region, have suffered little damage. Turkish officials have released a death toll from the earthquake of 51. RMS has posted a full Cat Update report containing an updated damage report along with accumulation information and modelling parameters to allow clients to assess their likely losses from this earthquake. This report can be viewed via the link on the left hand side of the page.

On Saturday, 6 March, a super cell thunderstorm brought hailstones, strong winds and flash flooding to Melbourne, Australia, severely damaging properties and cars, causing power outages and forcing the cancellation of sporting events in the city. In what is being described as the “storm of the century” the city received up to 3 inches of rain in approximately 30 minutes, accompanied by winds of up to 62 mph (100 km/hr). According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, hailstones were reported at 2 inches (50 mm) in diameter. The entire metropolitan area was affected by the storm, though it is understood that Melbourne’s eastern and southeastern suburbs were worst hit. Reports are of widespread damage to property roofs in terms of broken tiles, broken glass and a lot of skylight damages. Isolated structural damaged caused as a result of treefall from the storm also exist. In terms of vehicle damage, broken glass and dented vehicles have been caused from the hailstones, whist numerous underground car parks have been flooded. Damage to privately owned property, will become clearer over the next few days as individuals return to their homes following the State’s Labor Day holiday weekend. There are however no reported fatalities or serious injuries from the storm. Reports indicated that the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne city centre has suffered flooding, and that the Docklands Stadium (Telstra Dome) in Melbourne Docklands has suffered severe water damage. The Alfred Hospital, the oldest hospital in the city, has reported suffering leaks over the weekend and the roof of the city’s Southern Cross railway station has been significantly damaged by hailstones. In a statement given by the Victorian premier, John Brumby, it is understood that 11 families in Melbourne and 4 families in the east of the state of Victoria have had to be relocated from their damaged homes. At the height of the storm 100,000 homes were without power, and 100 traffic lights were out in the city, resulting in traffic chaos. An Aussie Rules matched had to been cancelled as a result of the flooding, as too the horse racing at Flemington Race Course. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has invoked its Catastrophe Coordination Arrangements – it declared the storm a catastrophe merely two hours after the event - meaning insurance claims can be lodged even if policy documents have been lost or destroyed by flood. It is expecting insurance claims from the weekend storms to reach into the hundreds of millions of Australian dollars. Reports from Melbourne expect the number of claims to reach 40,000. (The insurer RACV has of Sunday evening already received 3,000 claims). The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning for further violent storms in Melbourne over the next few days.

On Friday, 5 March 2010, RMS has released a loss estimate for Windstorm Xynthia. For more information, please see the latest Cat Update report via the link on the left hand side of the page.

Shortly after 00:00 UTC on Thursday, 4 March an earthquake of moment magnitude (Mw) 6.4 stuck in the mountainous region of southern Taiwan. The USGS have reported a focal depth of 14.4 miles (23.1 km) and an epicentral location at 22.91N, 120.82E; 40 miles (65km) east northeast of Kao-hsiung ; 155 miles (250km) south-southwest of the capital Tai-pei. The USGS ShakeMap shows that areas in the immediate vicinity of the earthquakes epicenter to have experienced strong shaking of V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, though the population exposed to this shaking is only 200. Kao-hsiung (Taiwan’s second largest city) experienced shaking of IV MMI, where the potential for damage is at maximum light – to both vulnerable and earthquake resistant structures. The majority of the island experienced shaking of II to III MMI. Some minor damage to property has been reported, and dozens of people were injured during the earthquake. Undersea internet cables were damaged by the quake, resulting in disruptions to communications in and around the south on Thursday and Friday, though services have now been restored. Additionally there are reports of temporary power outages. Online reports are of a high speed train being dislodged from its tracks (no causalities have been reported from the incident) and of transportation disruption - rail services in southern and central Taiwan have been suspended, as has the subway system in Kao- hsiung city. Additionally, two of the world’s largest contract computer chipmakers reported a 36-hour production delay in their facilities in Tainan. The earthquake also ignited at least 5 fires according to media reports, including a large fire in a textile factory in Tainan (a town close to the epicenter). Taiwan, through its location on the pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to earthquakes and often when they occur in this region landsides are triggers which contribute to loss. There are unconfirmed reports of landslides in Kaohsiung county, southwest of the earthquake’s epicenter. The earthquake is understood to have occurred in the region that was particularly affected by Typhoon Morakot in August 2009. RMS will continue to monitor damage reports from the region.

On Wednesday, 10 March RMS has released a set of hazard footprints which form another component of our program to provide insight into the potential range of losses for the Chile Earthquake. Three ground motion footprints are now available and are designed to supplement the stochastic event and Mean Damage Ratio footprints provided in previous updates. Additionally, RMS has also posted a second Reconnaissance report providing further updates on the damage observations that the RMS recon team are reporting as they continue to travel towards the south of Chile. As the RMS recon team enter the epicentral region, they have observed a changing pattern of damage: low-rise structures suffered greater damage while taller buildings suffered a lower degree of damage. This trend is the opposite of what was observed in Santiago, Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar, where more damage was observed in taller structures. The team will be assessing damage in Chillán today prior to reaching Concepcion within the next 24 hours and we will continue to provide further updates on their findings later this week. Clients with a valid user name and password can access this latest information via the Cat Update to the right hand side of the page.

Parts of the UK have been affected by flooding from heavy rain and strong winds over the weekend, a situation expected to worsen as a broad band of heavy rain, accompanied by strong winds, sweeps across the south of the country. As of 09:00 UTC Sunday, 28 February, The Environment Agency has 96 flood watches in place across England and Wales, and 3 flood warnings for the rivers River Nene, River Ouse and River Derwent, along the east and northeast of the country. The Scottish Environment Agency has two flood watches in place. The UK Met Office has reported 0.98 inches (25 mm) of rainfall in northern England and 1.18 inches (30 mm) in southern England over the last 24 hours. It is forecasting the southern portion of the UK to receive a further 0.4 to 0.8 in inches (10 to 20 mm) over the remainder of the weekend. Satellite radar images show that heavy rainfall is expected in association with Xynthia, an intense low pressure system which will affect the southern portion of the country through Sunday, 28 February. The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for London and the southeast of England. Heavy rainfall, falling on saturated ground, has caused flooding and the dramatic increase of river levels, particularly in the east of the country. In Suffolk roads have been flooded and one person has been killed in North Yorkshire when her car was swept away in flood waters. Homes and businesses in low lying areas are particularly at risk, and coastal areas where the strong winds associated with Xynthia combined with high spring tides place areas here at high risk of flooding. Forecasts show the band of heavy rain associated with the low pressure system will cross British Isles by Sunday evening. Forecasts for the UK for next few days predict a period of dry weather with light winds, following the storms.

Beginning Thursday, 25 February, a powerful low pressure system that moved northeast along the east coast of the U.S, has brought heavy snow, strong winds and the potential for coastal flooding across several northeastern states, including New York. The National Weather Service has reported snowfall accumulations of up of 28 inches in parts of Massachusetts and recordings of 12 inches (300mm) and 38 inches (1,000 mm) in Pennsylvania and Vermont respectively. Whilst in parts of interior New York State accumulation could reach up to 30 inches (760 mm) by Saturday, 27 February. The weight of the snow associated with the high accumulations observed has brought down trees and power lines and has the potential to cause roof collapse – though damage and disruption are not to the extent of the two earlier winter storms in February. There are also reports of fallen trees causing damage to properties and cars. The storm has caused disruption at all New York airports with the cancellation of over 1,000 flights. Airports in Philadelphia and New Jersey have also experienced flights cancellations. One person has been killed as a result of a tree collapsing under the weight of snow in Central Park, New York. As of 09:00 UTC on Friday, 26 February the storm was located over New York City where it is forecast to linger into the weekend. Whilst the worst of the storm is thought to have passed, the National Weather Service has winter storm warnings for the region (with freezing rain possible) which are expected to remain in place through Saturday morning. According to FEMA no states or regions have issued emergency management or disaster declarations.

On Saturday, 22 February following a period of torrential rain, flash flooding and mudslides have resulted in extensive damage to property and infrastructure and the death of at least 40 people on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Madeira (population around 240, 000) is located around 560 miles (900km) southwest of the Portuguese mainland, in the Atlantic Ocean, around 300 miles (480km) from the west African Coast. Over a 24 hour period on Saturday an intense low pressure weather system brought over 6 inches (150 mm) of rainfall to the southern portion of the island, most of which fell within a 6 hour period. Such precipitation totals exceed the monthly rainfall average for the island, which the World Meteorological Organization places for February at 3.4 inches (8.72 mm). The geography and geology of the region - Madeira has a central mountain chain of mean altitude 4,000 feet (1,200 m) on an island of impermeable volcanic rock - is such that the torrential rain was channeled quickly down to the southern coast via a steep mountain system, which resulted in flash flooding and mudslides. The capital city of Funchal is believed to be worst affected. Here where three rivers converge, channels designed to cope with flash flood waters quickly overflowed. Torrents of water turned roads into rivers as tones of mud and stone were brought down the slopes of the island, to the streets of the capital. Floodwaters overturned and swept away cars, brought down trees and washed away bridges and roads. The drainage network was flooded, with reports that the pressure of water was such that drains were bursting and in doing so causing severe damage to the tarmac on the roads. Substantial damage to roads and homes has also been reported in the region of Roberia Brave, 8 miles (13 km) west of the capital. Whilst north of the capital in Curral das Freiras, Civil Protection Services were only able to reach the village on Sunday evening, some 24 hours after the storm as the floodwaters and mudslides had cut off the road access to the village. The island is a popular tourist destination, and with the weekend being the end of the half-term school holidays for many European countries and the date of the island’s annual Carnival parades, tourist numbers on the island were high. The British Foreign Office has confirmed that a British tourist has been killed. Online reports suggest several hotels in the capital have been flooded, although it appears that the tourist area of the city has escaped relatively lightly with the major damage in Funchal affecting the city centre and commercial areas. The official tourism website for Madeira reports that the tourist area of Funchal has not been affected. It is suggested that tourism contributes as much as 20 percent of Madeira’s GDP, which emphasizes the importance of a rapid recovery from the storms on the islands economy. According to AXCO, within the Portuguese non-life insurance market flood cover is included (for free) within household and commercial policies. Importantly for the recent events on Madeira the flood cover includes the overflowing of watercourses and damage caused by heavy downpours of rain. This will be significant in the coming days when the extent of damage is fully understood. The Regional Government of Maderia has confirmed that fatalities from Saturday’s storm have now reached 42, however it is likely that this figure will rise. It is believed that the number of injured is around 100. The Civil Protection Agency in Madeira has reported that an unknown number of people are missing. As a result of the storms the Portuguese military has sent specialist rescue teams to the island, which includes dive teams to search the seas for bodies. Rui Pereira, the Portuguese Interior Minister has spoken of the possibility of declaring a state of emergency for Madeira. Forecasts show weather conditions improving substantially on Monday, 22 February and Tuesday , 23 February, although further heavy rain, accompanied by high winds is forecast from Wednesday, 24 February. Reports from Madeira are of evacuation orders being put in place because of the risk of further flash flooding and mudslides. RMS will continue to monitor the region.

As of 06:00 UTC on Friday, 19 February, the center of Tropical Cyclone Gelane was located in the Indian Ocean near 16.7S, 62.2E; around 360 miles (580 km) northeast of Mauritius; 500 miles (804 km) northeast of La Reunion; and 770 miles (1240 km) east of northern Madagascar. According to the Joint Typhoon warning Centre (JTWC), at this time Gelane had maximum sustained winds of approximately 132 mph (212 km/hr), classifying the storm as a low category four tropical cyclone on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Hurricane-strength winds of 74 mph (120km/hr) and above were extending outwards up to 34 miles (56 km) from the storm’s center, with tropical storm-strength winds (above 39 mph, 63 km/hr) extending outwards up to 100 miles (160 km). Over the past six hours Gelane has tracked towards the south with a forward speed of 6 mph (10 km/hr). Satellite imagery shows that the system has been quasi-stationary for the last 24 hours, though within this period the storm has experienced rapid intensification from a low category one tropical cyclone. Over the next 48 hours Gelane is expected to track, at a relatively slow speed of around 6 mph (10 km / hr), towards the south-southwest before turning slightly to the southwest in 72 hours’ time. On this forecast track, Gelane is expected to pass southeast of (within 150 miles, 250 km) the island of Mauritius early on Monday, 22 February. Whilst Gelane is forecast to undergo gradual weakening over the next couple of days, it is possible it could still retain hurricane status as it passes close to Mauritius which means that the island is at risk of strong winds and heavy rain. However, should Gelane’s present track deviate westwards from the current forecast then Mauritius (and La Reunion) could be at risk of a more direct impact. The JTWC has placed a large cone of uncertainly around the forecast track, with both Mauritius and La Reunion lying within this cone. A lack of meteorological observations in this part of the world means that forecasting tropical cyclones is generally associated with a high degree of uncertainty. Mauritius has been struck by several cyclones in the past, including Cyclone Claudette (1979), Cyclone Hollanda (1994) and Cyclone Dina (2002); according to Axco these cyclones caused insured losses of 4.5 million, 139 million and 3.5 million USD respectively. No regional meteorological warnings are yet in place for either Mauritius or La Reunion, but RMS will continue to monitor the progress of Tropical Cyclone Gelane.

On Wednesday, 17 February, following a period of torrential rain, a large mudslide has resulted in significant damage to both property and infrastructure and the evacuation of over 2000 residents from their homes in the small town of Maierato in the Calabria region of southern Italian. Detailed reports are scarce, but according to the Italian Civil Defence Officials, the landslide was most likely the result of heavy rainfall accumulation falling on already-saturated ground. The landslide is reported to have wrecked buildings, and torn down pylons, though no deaths or injuries have been reported. Local media reports are attributed the building collapse to the uncontrolled construction of buildings in the region combined with poor safety standards. Initial fears of further landslides in the immediate vicinity have so far not been realised. However, according to some reports, in excess of 100 small landslides in the Vibo Valentia and Reggio de Calabria region have occurred as a result of recent heavy rain. The Maierato mudslide comes a few months after the Sicilian landslide on Thursday, 1 October 2009 that resulted in 29 fatalities. No further rain is forecast for the region within the next five days. RMS will only update this Cat Activity report in the event of further significant damage reports coming to light.