2009 a benign year for natural disaster claims

2009 a benign year for natural disaster claims

Earthquakes, floods, landslides, and low rainfall, were some of our major hazard events in 2009. For the insurance industry, it was one of the least costly years for natural disasters with claims only totalling $6.75 million, compared with $86.27 million the year before.

The Natural Hazards Centre, a collaboration between NIWA and GNS Science have today published Natural Hazards 2009, a review of New Zealand’s major hazard events.

“It could have been much worse. It was a case of great escapes, with the near-miss of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Fiordland in July 2009, - New Zealand’s biggest earthquake in 80 years,” says GNS Science Communications Manager John Callan.

Sadly many New Zealanders were directly affected by the magnitude 8.1 Samoan earthquake and tsunami in September 2009. More than 200 people died as the tsunami ripped through coastal communities in Samoa and Tonga. In several places, the tsunami towered up to 5m above the ground and it travelled inland more than 500m in other locations.

“The devastating hazard events remind us how important it is to be prepared here in New Zealand, the better we can forecast these events, the better off we will be,” says NIWA, Chief Scientist, Natural Hazards, Dr Murray Poulter.

This work by NIWA, GNS Science, and others is about their efforts to reduce the risks, and mitigate the effects, of natural hazards in New Zealand. This is the fourth Natural Hazards Review.

Copies of the Review are available online from www.gns.cri.nz and www.niwa.co.nz

ENDS