From Continuity Central comes this statistic from 2009: Natural catastrophes resulted in $58Billion in economic losses. In addition, they state that for the third year in a row it was a very light catastrophe year. Europe’s windstorm Klaus which was 2009′s most costly event with losses of $3.3B in insured losses and $6.0B in economic losses. For comparison, 2005′s Hurricane Katrina remains the costliest insurance event in history with insured losses near $45.5B.

Other key storm and tornado statistics from 2009 by region:
* Atlantic – nine named storms developed (31 percent below 25-year average), including three hurricanes (53 percent below average) and two major hurricanes (29 percent below average). No hurricanes made landfall in the US.

* Eastern Pacific – a total of 20 named storms (25 percent above 25-year average) with eight hurricanes (11 percent below average) and five major hurricanes (28 percent above average). One hurricane, Jimena, made landfall.

* Western Pacific – a total of 25 named storms (17 percent below 25-year average) with 14 typhoons (18 percent below average) and seven major typhoons (22 percent below average). Eight typhoons made landfall (11 percent below average).

* Indian Ocean and Southern Pacific – 29 named storms (13 percent below 25-year average) with eight cyclones (49 percent below average) and five major cyclones (34 percent below average). Three cyclones made landfall (38 percent below average).

* US Tornado – approximately 1,109 tornadoes (2 percent below 25-year average).

2005′s Hurricane Katrina