Europe broke a grim record in June.

The Old Continent was walloped with its costliest set of storms ever, Aon said in its latest monthly review of global catastrophes.

The report mentions that a series of storms that hit western and central Europe from June 17 to 25 caused at least $3.4 billion in insured damage. Germany, Austria, France, the Czech Republic and Switzerland were affected. The most severe event occurred in the South Moravia region of the Czech Republic, where an F4 tornado claimed six lives.

Austria and central Switzerland also experienced various hail events between June 28 and 30. Parts of Germany saw flooding at that time. These events swelled insurers’ losses to US$4.5 billion, surpassing the record US$4.3 billion recorded in 2013 in the wake of Tropical Storm Andreas.

Heatwave in North America  

The heatwave that hit the United States and Canada in June also caught Aon's attention, particularly because of the 630 deaths it caused. In addition to destroying the town of Lytton, BC, the record high temperatures caused 200 wildfires and notable agricultural losses.

Elsewhere in the United States, heavy rain and severe thunderstorms caused historic flash flooding in parts of the Mississippi River Valley and the Southern Plains in early June. The total economic cost of these events is expected to be $950 million. Agricultural damage in Mississippi and Arkansas due to flooding alone is projected at over $800 million.

What’s more, tropical Storms Claudette and Danny both madelandfall in the US in June. Claudette caused at least 14 related deaths as heavy rains, high winds and severe thunderstorms affected many southeastern states. Danny's impacts in South Carolina were negligible.

Around the world  

In parts of eastern and southern Australia a powerful storm system brought periods of torrential rain, flash flooding, hurricane-force winds and wintry weather from June 9 to 11. At least two people were killed and over 20,000 claims were filed, totalling US$137 million.

The seasonal southwest monsoon arrived in India in early June. Periods of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms affected several states across the country, with parts of Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Tripura the hardest hit. At least 59 people were killed and about 2,000 structures damaged.