CATASTROPHIC WINDS AROUND THE WORLD IN 2011

Abstract

The season of tropical cyclones over the Atlantic Ocean was above average both with respect to the number of tropical storms as well as their intensity. There were seven hurricanes. Over the Pacific Ocean, however, the number of tropical storms was below average. There were ten hurricanes over the eastern Pacific, five cyclones over the southern Pacific and ten typhoons over the western Pacific. The most devastating tropical storms took place in the Philippines, particularly the tropical storm Washi which hit the area that is otherwise not known for tropical storms. The number of tropical storms in the Indian Ocean was average or slightly below. Over 2,300 people were killed as a result of tropical cyclones around the world. Tornadoes claimed an especially high number of victims, 577, with as many as 553 reported in the USA.