Costly year for New Zealand natural disasters
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Tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, a lahar and even tsunamis battered us in
2007, leading to one of the most expensive years for natural disasters.

New figures from the Insurance Council show weather related losses
totalled $96 million in 2007.

One top of that, claims from the Gisborne earthquake on December 20 cost
$50 million and are still climbing.

Disaster-related insurance payouts for 2007 are set to exceed 2004, the
year of the Manawatu floods.

That would make 2007 the most expensive year for natural hazard
insurance payouts since 1968, the year of the Wahine storm.

The Earthquake Commission took 6519 claims for natural disaster damage
in 2007 - three times as many as 2006.

But one of the most spectacular events of last year, the March 18 Mt
Ruapehu lahar, caused little damage and no loss of life after extensive
preparations. 1.3 million cubic metres of warm acidic water, carrying
five times its weight in rock debris, tore down the side of Mt Ruapehu.
The repair bill was $111,000.

In a less predictable disaster, a swarm of tornadoes swept across
Taranaki in July, causing more than $8 million damage.

New Zealand was also struck by four tsunamis last year - though you may
not have noticed. The biggest was on April 2, after an 8.1 magnitude
quake near the Solomon Islands. The highest wave to hit New Zealand was
1.1 metres high.

More than 52 people were killed by the earthquake and tsunami in the
Solomons, including Porirua man Teangauki Kenimarawa Toma who was
visiting family.

Severe floods in Northland and the Coromandel caused an estimated $60
million damage in mid-July. But Niwa Natural Hazards Centre co-leader
Doug Ramsay said the Gisborne earthquake would probably be the most
costly natural disaster for 2007 when all claims were in.

Researchers were constantly trying to improve readiness for natural
disasters, he said. "There's a lot of work going on in flood
forecasting, looking at potential damage points, for example."

Civil Defence Ministry spokesman Adrian Prowse said the variety of
disasters to befall us in 2007 showed people should be prepared for
anything.

THE BILL FOR 2007

Far North storms, March 28-29: Heavy rain and strong winds caused
extensive damage. 2569 insurance claims lodged. Cost to insurers: $12.5
million.

Taranaki tornadoes, July 4-5: An extraordinary swarm of tornadoes
wreaked havoc across Taranaki. 1336 claims lodged. Cost to insurers:
$8.3 million.

Far North, Auckland and Coromandel storms and floods, July 10-12:
Torrential rain swelled rivers and caused major damage. 18,935 claims
lodged. Cost to insurers: $60.5 million.

Gisborne earthquake December 20: Magnitude 6.8. The most damaging
earthquake since the March 1987 Edgecumbe quake (magnitude 6.6). 2112
insurance claims. Cost $50 million and climbing.