Top 5 Deadliest Natural Disaters of 2016

Earthquakes were a common theme this year, killing hundreds.

Flooding in rural areas led to many deaths and loss of property.

The year 2016 saw millions around the world impacted by headline-making natural disasters. Here is a look back at this year’s deadliest disasters.

 5.) Typhoon Lionrock Spurs Flooding In North Korea, More Than 130 Dead

 

Known for its political and social isolation, the nation of North Korea called on the global community in late August, following a destructive series of floods that brought the resource-poor country to its knees. Typhoon Lionrock caused widespread flooding in North Korea’s northernmost province, killing more than 130 people. More than 30,000 homes were damaged, submerged or completely destroyed by flooding along the Tumen River and its branches near the Chinese border.

Red Cross officials in North Korea said about 600,000 people have been affected by the disaster.

 4.) Nearly 200 Dead or Missing, Millions Homeless After Catastrophic Flooding Hits China

 

In August, as flooding in the eastern part of the country left 181 people dead or missing after heavy downpours broke levees, flooded cities and villages and halted public transportation.

A mudslide in Guizhou Province killed 23 and 8 more people died in the city of Wuhan in Hubei Province when a section of a wall collapsed. The torrential rain caused the collapse of more than 40,000 houses and forced the evacuation of nearly 1.5 million people in 11 regions, mostly along the Yangtze River and its distributaries. The rain has also destroyed more than 700,000 acres of crops, which will cause local economies to suffer long after flood waters recede. Government officials estimated that total economic losses total approximately $5.73 billion.

 3.) More Than 200 Killed When 6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Central Italy

 

August was also a particularly devastating month for Italy. A powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake rattled central Italy in the early morning hours, with Amatrice, a town of about 2,700 in the province of Rieti, Central Italy, being reduced to rubble. The earthquake's epicenter was 4.1 miles west-northwest of Accumoli, Italy, and a little more than 100 miles northeast of Rome. More than 30 aftershocks were reported following the initial quake.

 2.) 7.8 Magnitude Quake Strikes Ecuador, Killing Nearly 300

 



A powerful earthquake in April shook several provinces in the South American nation of Ecuador, killing hundreds and leveling entire cities. The 7.8 magnitude quake struck the northwestern coast of Ecuador, leaving nearly 300 dead and thousands injured. A state of emergency was declared in six of Ecuador's provinces: Guayas, Manabi, Santo Domingo, Los Rios, Esmeraldas and Galapagos. At least 10,000 soldiers and 3,500 police officers were deployed to help the affected areas.

 1.) Hurricane Matthew Brings Devastation Across Caribbean, U.S.

Hurricane Matthew proved to be the most talked-about natural disaster of 2016 and it will be years before the wounds caused by the powerful storm are healed. The Caribbean suffered the most in terms of the loss of life, particularly in Haiti. Some reports listed death totals anywhere from 500 to more than 1,000 for the tiny island nation. The nation's poor infrastructure has been blamed for deaths in many of the country's highly publicized natural disasters over the years and Hurricane Matthew proved no exception in finding Haiti's weaknesses. In addition to the very strong wind, heavy rainfall resulted in flash flooding and mudslides, All of these occurrences added to the loss of life. In the U.S., impacts were seen in unlikely places, with a surprisingly minimal loss of life seen in Florida. Matthew moved north along the east coast and ultimately dumped heavy rain on North Carolina, causing river flooding and leading to the deaths of 26 in the Tarheel state alone. North Carolina also reported roughly $1.5 billion in damages following Hurricane Matthew. In total, Matthew left 48 dead across the east coast from Florida to North Carolina and broke the Atlantic's long-standing hurricane drought record.

 

 

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