In 2023, an expert designated the year as one characterised by an alarming surge in both the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, solidifying its status as a year marked by catastrophic events of a natural origin.
From seismic tremors, rampant wildfires, and relentless droughts to overwhelming floods, perilous landslides, formidable cyclones, and tempestuous storms, 2023 has proven to be a catastrophic annum, surpassing the statistical benchmarks set by preceding years. The escalating numbers and financial toll of these disasters are likely indicative of concurrent trends in extreme weather occurrences and the burgeoning global population, especially in regions prone to specific hazards—such as coastal and low-lying areas. The latter factor is deemed to carry more weight in the overall assessment of the situation thus far.
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Natural Disasters That Happened Around the World 2023
This year, the United States has endured an unprecedented onslaught of 23 distinct disasters, each inflicting damage exceeding one billion dollars—an unparalleled figure in recorded history. The following list is compiled based on the Center for Disaster Philanthropy's (CDP) comprehensive documentation:
1. Hurricane Otis 2023
2. Libya Floods 2023
3. Morocco Earthquake 2023
4. China Floods 2023
5. Atlantic Hurricane Season 2023
6. US Tornadoes 2023
7. Turkey-Syria Earthquake 2023
In the preceding five years, the United States has encountered an annual average of 18 climate disasters, each costing over a billion dollars. Over the most recent triennium, this figure has escalated to an average of 20 billion-dollar disasters per year. This marks a substantial increase from the previous decade, which witnessed an average of 12.8 billion-dollar disasters annually, and the 2000s, during which the yearly average stood at 6.7 billion-dollar disasters.
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Disasters That Occurred Around The World
1. Hurricane Otis 2023
On October 25, 2023, at 1:25 a.m. CT, Hurricane Otis made landfall on the Pacific coast of Mexico, specifically striking five miles south of Acapulco. At the time of impact, Otis exhibited the formidable strength of a Category 5 hurricane, boasting sustained winds of 165 mph. This surpassed the previous record held by Hurricane Patricia, establishing Otis as the most potent hurricane on record to hit Mexico's Pacific coastline.
The aftermath of Otis was profound, with nearly 80% of hotels and a staggering 96% of businesses in Acapulco sustaining damage. Notably, Acapulco's economy, heavily reliant on tourism, faced a severe setback due to the widespread destruction caused by the hurricane.
2. Libya Floods 2023
Over the weekend of September 9, Mediterranean Storm Daniel traversed through eastern Libya, leaving in its wake a trail of devastation marked by intense rainfall and widespread flooding.
The deluge brought about by Daniel was so substantial that it equated to eight months' worth of rainfall in Libya's northeast region. The situation escalated on September 11 when two dams succumbed to the pressure, unleashing an overwhelming 1 billion cubic feet (30 million cubic meters) of water into areas already grappling with inundation. Among the severely affected locales, the eastern city of Derna, inhabited by less than 100,000 people, bore the brunt of the disaster, with a quarter of the city vanishing in the aftermath of the calamity.
3. Morocco Earthquake 2023
On the night of September 8, a catastrophic magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Morocco shortly after 11 p.m. local time. The seismic event, with a depth of 11.5 miles, originated 44 miles southwest of Marrakesh (French: Marrakech), near the town of Adassil, situated in the High Atlas Mountains within the Al Haouz province. This region is characterized by numerous quaint yet diminutive villages, several of which bore the brunt of the earthquake's devastating impact.
Approximately 380,000 individuals faced severe consequences due to their proximity, residing within 30 miles of the earthquake's epicentre. However, the broader impact extended significantly beyond this immediate radius, affecting a staggering total of at least 500,000 people. Consequently, the aftermath of the earthquake has resulted in the displacement of a considerable number of individuals, adding to the challenges posed by this seismic catastrophe.
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4. China Floods 2023
From July 29 onwards, northeastern China grappled with unprecedented rainfall and flooding across at least 16 cities and provinces, courtesy of Typhoon Doksuri—the fifth typhoon to hit the Pacific in 2023. This deluge ushered in a historic period for Beijing, witnessing its most substantial rainfall in 140 years. Remarkably, the rainfall accumulated to surpass 60% of a typical year's precipitation within a mere 83-hour window.
August brought further extremity as rains and successive typhoons intensified the monsoon season, amplifying the nation's struggle against mudslides, flooding, and flash floods. This barrage of natural disasters placed immense strain on flood control zones and the nation's infrastructure. Northern China's topography, higher in the west and lower in the east, typically directs rainfall accumulation from the western side of the North China Plain to drain eastward into the ocean. Amid this tumultuous period, Typhoon Saola made landfall in southern China on September 2, compelling the evacuation of over 880,000 individuals. Earlier, on August 13, a tragic flash flood and landslide in Weiziping village, Xi'an City, claimed the lives of 24 people, with three individuals reported missing. While approximately 900 households faced the consequences, the destruction was concentrated, sparing all but two homes from damage. The severity persisted as forecasters issued warnings to multiple provinces, anticipating torrential rain and flash floods over the following 48 hours due to relentless downpours. Over the preceding weekend, more than 3,000 individuals were evacuated from Sangzi, Shimen, and Yongshun counties, along with Zhangjiajie City, as heavy rains lashed these areas, exacerbating an already dire situation.
5. Atlantic Hurricane Season 2023
The 2023 hurricane season witnessed the formation of a total of 22 storms, a figure surpassing the average for a typical hurricane season, which typically sees 14 named storms, including seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. Among the 2023 storms, there were 20 named storms, comprising 12 tropical storms, seven hurricanes (including three classified as major Category 3 or higher), and one anomalous subtropical cyclone emerging on January 16 off the northeastern U.S. coast. Additionally, two storms received numerical designations.
Remarkably, the 2023 hurricane season, as observed by researchers at Colorado State University, stood out for its larger-than-average number of early-season storms and the record-setting tardiness in the formation of a hurricane in the tropical Atlantic. Hurricane Tammy, forming on October 20, marked the latest occurrence of hurricane formation recorded in any calendar year. While eight storms made landfall, only three—Harold, Idalia, and Ophelia—impacted the United States. Hurricane Idalia proved to be the most economically burdensome, classified as a "billion-dollar storm" due to damages exceeding $1 billion. Notably, the season initiated with an unseasonably early storm on January 16, initially designated as the "Unnamed subtropical storm" as it wasn't initially identified as a tropical event. Subsequently, Tropical Storm Arlene emerged on June 2, merely the second day of the hurricane season. July and August witnessed the formation of eight named storms, with Hurricanes Don, Franklin, and Idalia, alongside Tropical Storms Emily, Gert, Harold, Jose, and Katia. Notably, four of these—Emily, Franklin, Gert, and Harold—formed within an exceptionally brief 39-hour timeframe.
6. US Tornadoes 2023
The 2023 tornado season has proven to be notably active, marked by a substantial number of tornado occurrences. Preliminary reports indicate at least 1,450 tornadoes, with 1,402 tornadoes already confirmed. It's essential to note that these figures might evolve as some storms are still undergoing investigation.
The distribution of tornadoes throughout the year reveals varying intensities and frequencies. January witnessed an extraordinary 166 tornadoes, marking the second-highest total on record. Subsequently, February followed suit with a substantial count, ranking as one of the highest in recent years and the 10th most active on record. The initial three months of the year surpassed the average tornado count. However, April and May experienced a downturn, falling below the average. March emerged as the fifth-highest on record, continuing a trend of violent tornado occurrences, making it the fifth consecutive year with such events—tying a record dating back to 1963 to 1967. June surpassed the average for the month in terms of tornado-related fatalities, notably due to storms on June 15. July approached the average, while August exceeded it. Notably, the final quarter of 2023 saw confirmed tornadoes falling below the monthly averages. A significant event occurred on December 9, with the National Weather Service confirming 13 tornadoes after nightfall in Middle Tennessee, resulting in six confirmed fatalities—three in Clarksville and three in the Madison area of Nashville. The Clarksville tornado has been classified as an EF-3, boasting winds of 150 mph. This late-season event adds to the complexity and impact of an already dynamic tornado year.
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7. Turkey-Syria Earthquake 2023
On February 6, 2023, a seismic event of significant magnitude, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, occurred in southern Turkey near the northern border of Syria. Remarkably, this earthquake was succeeded approximately nine hours later by another substantial event, registering a magnitude of 7.5, situated about 59 miles (95 kilometres) to the southwest.
The initial earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.8, stands out as the most devastating to strike earthquake-prone Turkey in over two decades. Its force rivalled that of a seismic event in 1939, marking the most powerful recorded earthquake in the region. The epicentre of this seismic activity was located near Gaziantep in south-central Turkey, a region that hosts thousands of Syrian refugees and serves as a hub for numerous humanitarian aid organizations. The repercussions of this seismic activity were felt acutely in an area already grappling with humanitarian challenges, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing efforts to support those affected.
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