Updated 1 February. On Monday, 30 January a magnitude Mw6.3 (regional moment magnitude) earthquake struck near the coast of central Peru at 05:11 UTC (12:11am local time). The USGS have reported a depth of 24 miles (39 km) and an epicentral location of 14.18°S, 75.64°W, in the Peruvian region of Ica, approximately 9 mi (5km) southeast of the city of Ica, and around 173 mi (280km) south-southeast of the capital Lima. According to the USGS ShakeMap, the maximum intensity of ground shaking in the vicinity of the epicenter was VI (‘strong‘) on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale. This level of ground shaking can be expected to cause light damage to resistant structures and moderate damage to vulnerable structures. The USGS PAGER reports that around 345,000 people were exposed to this level of shaking. Over 500,000 people were exposed to intensity V or stronger shaking, where there is potential for damage to structures to occur. Local reports indicate that buildings in coastal Lima shook following the earthquake. On Tuesday, 31 January a damage assessment released by Peru’s National Civil Defense Institute (INDECI) indicates that in the region of Ica three dwellings have been destroyed, 150 made uninhabitable whilst a further 150 have been affected - however, media reports indicate that these figures may increase. The provinces of Pisco and Chincha each contribute one destroyed dwelling and six made uninhabitable. There is no damage reported from the province of Nazca. No fatalities have been reported. In (August) 2007 a Mw8.0 (central moment magnitude) earthquake struck near the coast of central Peru destroying thousands of homes and resulting in over 500 fatalities.

A severe weather outbreak across the southern U.S. late Sunday, 22 / early Monday, 23 January, brought hail, high winds and tornados to the region. The National Weather Service has reported 24 tornados across the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. (It should be noted that this is a preliminary list of reporting and is not the actual number of tornados). Of this figure, as of 00:00UTC Tuesday, 24 January, 9 tornadoes have been reported in Alabama in the counties of Chilton, Jefferson, St. Clair and Tuscaloosa; 10 tornadoes have been reported in Arkansas in the counties of Arkansas,, Cleveland, Crittenden, Dallas, Lonoke and Prairie. Preliminary reports indicate significant damage, particularly in Alabama where a state of emergency has been declared across all Alabama’s 67 counties as a result of the severe weather. Media reports are indicating that as many as 200 homes in Jefferson County, Alabama, have been damage. The National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama has confirmed that a tornado of intensity 3 on the enhanced fujita scale stuck the town of Clay. The convective outlook through to Friday, 27 January indicates a slight risk of further storms in the southeast.

Around 18:30UTC on Wednesday, 11 January (04:30am Wednesday, 12 January, local time) Tropical Cyclone Heidi made landfall over the Pilbara coast of Western Australia, close to the town of Port Hedland. Heidi made landfall as a moderate tropical storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, the equivalent of a Category 2 cyclone on the Australian Region Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale. No major structural damage has been reported from the region, though the cyclone did bring heavy rain and is reported to have caused localized flooding across the central and eastern Pilbara as it tracked inland. Around 3,500 homes lost power in South Hedland (a satellite suburb of Port Hedland). Port Hedland’s airport and port (one of the world’s largest iron ore export terminals) closed in advance of the storm. The region where Heidi made landfall is predominantly a mining region with limited residential and commercial exposure. Buildings in the region are built to a very high standard and therefore the vulnerability is low. According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology the current tropical cyclone season (which usually runs from November to April) is expected to be above average, because of expectations of La Niña conditions though the season – in La Niña warmer water temperatures in the western Pacific and northern Australia, and associated changes in circulation patterns, increase cyclone activity.

Updated 11 JAN On Wednesday, 4 to Thursday, 5 January a low pressure system, named Andrea, tracked north of the UK and east-southeast across the North Sea, bringing strong gusts to parts of southern Germany, to coastal regions of Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and northern France, parts of western Austria and the UK. In particular the German states of Bayern and Baden-Württemberg were affected by the strong winds. At 12:00 UTC on Thursday, 5 January Andrea reached its Nadir pressure of 962mb whilst located near 57°N, 15°E, over southern Sweden. Preliminary meteorological observations from METAR stations in Germany indicate that peak gusts associated with Andrea reached 21m/s (77km/hr) in Stuttgart and 27m/s (100 km/hr) in Munich. Peak gust up to 25m/s (92km/hr) have been reported along coastal regions of France, Belgium and Germany. In the UK meteorological observations from METAR stations indicate that peak gusts associated with the storm were not as strong as those experienced when Windstrom Ulli passed over Scotland on Tuesday, 3 January. The areas in the UK experiencing the strongest winds were different for the two systems – the strongest winds from Andrea were reported across central England, whereas Ulli primarily affected Scotland. METAR stations reported peak gusts in Leeds and Bradford of 33m/s (120 km/hr), though the UK Met Office has reported peak gusts up to 40m/s (150km/hr) in this region. METAR station recordings indicate that stations in southern England did not experience peak gusts greater than 25m/s (90 km/hr) and neither in Glasgow or Edinburgh, Scotland. To note, METAR data is likely to under-estimate peak gusts due to the temporal data sampling at these stations. In Bayern in Regensburg reports indicate that two commercial buildings lost their roves at the peak of the storm and in the Allgäu a church tower collapsed during the storm – though this was the result of a lightning strike. Elsewhere across Germany; the state of Hessen has reported tree fall, a container was blown from a ship on the Rhine; localised and minimal flooding – to include the fish market - was reported in Hamburg as a result of high tides (though not on the scale that was feared along the North and Baltic coast as the storm approached); fallen trees have been reported in northern Germany. The states of Berlin and Brandenburg in northeast Germany have not reported significant damage. As a result of Andrea, minimal roof damage, power outages and tree fall were reported along the northern coast of France. In Belgium low levels of roof damage have been reported, and flooded and debris blocked roads. The western most state of Austria – Vorarlberg – has reported fallen trees, and in Tyrol a reported 10,000 lost power temporarily. RMS is continuing to monitor the impact of Windstorm Andrea and is analysing meteorological information in relation to the storm.

Following the release of RIskLink 11.0 event IDs on Tuesday, 11 January, RMS has added RiskLink 10,0 modelling information on Wednesday, 11 January to the Cat Update report. The RMS perspective on the losses from windstorm Ulli is also available in the Industry Loss Information section of the report. To download the modeling parameters and find out more information about Windstorm Ulli, please click on the link to the left hand side.

UPDATED 03 JAN Sunday, 25 December through to Monday, 26 December Dagmar brought strong winds to Norway, Sweden and Finland, in particular to the west coast of Norway. (The Free University of Berlin name for the system is Patrick). Reports indicate building damage in coastal regions of western Norway, and the Norwegian Financial Services Unions (NFO) is reporting extensive damage across a wide area. The system resulted in widespread power outages – reports indicate that over 250,000 homes lost power across the three countries (particularly in west Norway) - with extended power outages occurring through to Tuesday, 27 December. Transportation networks were disrupted – notably in Norway the main road between Oslo and Bergen was temporarily closed, and train services between the two cities were temporarily suspended. No fatalities have been reported as a result of the storm. The Norwegian Financial Service Unions (NFO) released an estimate on December, 30, reporting insured claims of 71.3M EUR resulting from 9,200 claims with an average claim of 60,000 NO Kroner. (The NFO is expecting the number of claims to rise). Comparing Dagmar to historical storms that have impacted this region of Norway, Dagmar affected the coastal region impacted by Nyttarsdag (1992), though the later storm affected a larger area and had higher peak gusts. According to the U.K. Met Office pressure charts the low pressure system was located near to 65°N, 2°E (west of Norway) at 18:00UTC on Sunday, 25 December when it reached its nadir pressure of 952mb. The system tracked to the east, tracking north of Bergen, Norway, and northeast across Norway and Sweden. At 06:00UTC on Monday, 26 December was located over northern Finland on with a central pressure of 969mb. The system tracked into Russia, passing north of St Petersburg. Along the western coast of Norway, in remote coastal or elevated areas, peak gust of 50m/s (180km/hr) were recorded shortly before 19:00UTC on Sunday, 25 December – information from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. To note gust measurements here are usually much higher than elsewhere across Norway (and indeed Europe) due to the steep-sided fjords and high mountains beside the ocean, and therefore peak gusts here are not a reflection of those experienced in insured risk locations. Peak gusts greater than 35 m/s were recorded from Alesund north to around 65.2°N, though are contained to coastal regions of the west coast. Observations indicate that much of the southern half of Norway experienced winds in excess of 20m/s (72km/hr). Prior to affecting northern Scandinavia Dagmar brought strong winds to The Faroe Islands and Shetlands. This will be the last Cat Activity issued on the system.

UPDATED 29 DECEMBER RMS is monitoring Windstorm Robert. As of 06:00UTC on Thursday, 29 December the low pressure system is located over southern Norway with a central pressure of 976mb – having filled around 10mb in the last 24 hours. The system is expected to bring strong winds to the southern half Norway – the region affected on Sunday, 25 and Monday, 26 December by Windstorm Patrick (Dagmar). On Wednesday, 28 December the system brought peak gusts of; 25 m/s (90km/hr) in Glasgow; 23m/s (85km/hr) Edinburgh; 32m/s (118 km/hr) in Tiree; and 27m/s (98km/hr) in Prestwick. These preliminary meteorological recordings are lower than those recorded from Windstorm Friedhelm on Thursday, 8 December. In Scotland at the peak of the storm around 12,000 lost power, and as of 07:00UTC on Thursday, 29 December approximately 1,000 remain without power, particularly in the west. A sporting match was postponed as a result of reported structural damage at the stadium – an isolated report of damage. Unlikely Windstorm Friedhelm, Robert has had limited affect on transportation in Scotland. RMS will continue to monitor Windstorm Robert.

On Sunday, 25 December, storms brought hailstones, and flash flooding to Melbourne, Australia, damaging properties and vehicles, causing power outages and transportation problems across the city. Unofficial reports indicate that hailstones were 1.5 inches (38 mm) in diameter. Northern parts of the metropolitan area were affected by the storms, and it is understood that Melbourne’s northern suburbs of Eltham, Broadmeadows and Keilor were worst hit. On Thursday, 29 December the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) declared a catastrophe for the storm damage. At this time 15,000 claims had been received, one third of which relate to building damage (the remainder vehicle damage). Reports from Melbourne expect the number of claims to rise rapidly following the holiday period. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has no severe weather warnings in place for Melbourne over the next few days.

A series of strong earthquakes have struck offshore the east coast of the South Island, New Zealand. The earthquakes which struck offshore (east-northeast of) Christchurch, in Pegasus Bay, occurred on Friday 23 December as follows; a magnitude Mw5.8 (regional moment magnitude) struck at 00:58 UTC (1:58pm local time); a magnitude 5.3 (body magnitude) struck at 01:06UTC (2:06pm local time); a magnitude 5.9 (centroid moment magnitude) stuck at 02:18UTC (3:18pm local time) – this is according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). GNS Science is reporting the 3:18pm earthquake as a magnitude 6.0 (moment magnitude), and is also reporting 9 earthquakes between magnitude 4.0 and 5.0 in the offshore region since the first earthquake struck (and as of 09:00 UTC Friday, 23 December). The epicenters of the earthquake are around 10-20 km east-northeast of Christchurch and approximately 20-30 km northeast of the port town of Lyttelton, where just over 10 months ago, on Febraury,22, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.3 (moment magnitude, Mw) occurred. The earthquakes have been felt over large regions of Canterbury, and in Otago. According to the USGS ShakeMap, the maximum intensity ground shaking on the South Island from the earthquakes was VI (‘strong‘) on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale. This level of ground shaking could be expected to cause light damage to resistant structures and moderate damage to vulnerable structures. Christchurch experienced such levels of shaking following the Mw5.9 earthquake. Preliminary damage reports from Christchurch indicate that no widespread structural damage has occurred. New Zealand’s Civil Defence are reported that buildings weakened in previous earthquakes may have sustained further damage. Although no specific information is available at this stage, it is possible that several taller buildings (in the CBD) previously described as being marginally salvageable may now be candidates for demolition. Contents damage is likely given reports from the city. Local media reports are indicated that rockfalls have occurred (in Redcliffs, Boulder Bay and other hill suburbs) and there are liquefaction reports in the eastern suburbs of Avonside and Bexley, though not on the scale of the February earthquake. Minor flooding as a result of liquefaction in the northeastern Christchurch suburb of Parklands is also being reported. The electricity provider Orion reported that around 26,000 homes lost power as a result of the earthquake, though by 20:00 local time in New Zealand power had been reconnected to all save 5,000. The 5,000 are located in the coastal suburb of New Brighton. No fatalities have been reported. GNS Science are warning to expect continued seismic activity in the region over the coming days. RMS will continue to monitor events.

On Sunday, 11 December a magnitude Mw6.5 (moment magnitude) earthquake occurred in southwestern Mexico at 01:47UTC (19:47 on Saturday, 10 December, local time). The USGS have reported a depth of 40 miles (65 km) and an epicentral location of 18.04°N, 99.80°W, in the Mexican state of Guerrero, approximately 103 mi (166km) south-southwest of Mexico City. Mexico’s Interior Department has reported that the earthquake was felt in parts of nine states. According to the USGS ShakeMap, the maximum intensity ground shaking in the vicinity of the epicenter was VI (‘strong‘) on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale. This level of ground shaking could be expected to cause light damage to resistant structures and moderate damage to vulnerable structures. The USGS PAGER reports that 900,000 people were exposed to this level of shaking. Over 6.5 million people were exposed to intensity V or stronger shaking, where there is potential for damage to structures to occur – part of the Mexican capital, Mexico City, experienced MMI V shaking. Government officials in Mexico have reported that the earthquake did not cause widespread damage. According to local reports high rise buildings in Mexico City swayed for over a minute following the earthquake, however there are no damage reports emerging from Mexico City. (Parts of the city did experience temporary power outages). The earthquake was also felt in Acapulco, a major tourist destination on the Pacific Coast (located around 80mi (130km) from the epicenter). Whilst no structural damage has been reported in Acapulco, there may be some contents damage following reports of stock on super market shelves falling to the ground. Damage has been reported in locations closer to the epicenter, such as Iguala (around 30mi (50km) northeast of the epicenter, population ~100,000) where there are reports of isolated cases of roof collapses. Although most seismic damage occurs close to the epicenter (within 10-20km), long-period ground motion can be felt, and cause damage, at much greater distances. The long-period component of earthquake ground motion attenuates more slowly with distance than higher frequencies and thus, can propagate to much greater distances. Tall structures resonate with the long-period ground motion because their own natural periods are in the same frequency band. This earthquake was felt as far away as Mexico City, which has many tall structures susceptible to long-period ground motion. Additionally, Mexico City lies in a unique geological formation of a basin, which can lead to amplification of ground motions as was experience in the 1985 Michoacán earthquake. Gurrero’s Civil Protection Agency has reported 3 deaths, one man in Iguala (result of a roof collapse), a second in Ixcateopan and a third in Acapulco (result of falling rocks). The earthquake distributed transportation networks when triggered rockslides blocked sections highway between Mexico City and Acapulco.