The Deadliest Natural Disasters of All-Time
China Floods (1931)
In 1931 there were many floods throughout central China which created the biggest
natural disaster of all time. The Central China floods of 1931 occurred during the Nanjing
decade in the Republic of China era. The death toll accumulated from these floods
totaled somewhere between 1,000,000 and 2,500,000 which is why this disaster is
considered to be the deadliest ever. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1931_China_floods)
Yellow River Floods (1887)
The Yellow River Flood of 1887 was a devastating flood which occurred on the Yellow
River in China. Because of its natural characteristics, high elevation, running between
dykes above wide open plains, the Yellow River is prone to flooding. This flood which
began in September 1887 is the cause of 900,000 – 2,000,000 deaths.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1887_Yellow_River_flood)
*** Interesting Fact! ***
The three deadliest natural
disasters ever recorded all
occurred in China.
Shaanxi Earthquake (1556)
The earthquake that occurred in Shaanxi China in 1556 was the deadliest earthquake
recorded worldwide. The Shaanxi earthquake took place on the morning of January 23rd
1556 and killed approximately 830,000 people. More than 97 countries were affected
because of this destruction which covered approximately 520 miles. In some countries,
60% of the population was killed during the Shaanxi earthquake.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1556_Shaanxi_earthquake)
Bhola Cyclone (1970)
The Bhola cyclone took place on November 12th, 1970 and was a horrific tropical cyclone
which hit East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), and India’s West Bengal. This was the
deadliest cyclone ever recorded and was the cause of nearly 500,000 deaths. The Bhola
cyclone was the sixth storm of the 1970 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, as well as
the strongest reaching an equivalent strength of a category 3 hurricane.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_Bhola_cyclone)
Haiti Earthquake (2010)
In 2010 the Haiti earthquake which had a magnitude of 7.0Mw took place near the town
of Leogane, approximately 16 miles outside of Haiti’s capital. The Haiti earthquake
occurred on January 12th 2010. Three days after the earthquake began; there had been
at least 52 aftershocks, all measuring 4.5 or greater on the Richter scale. Approximately
316,000 people were killed during this earthquake and an estimated 3,000,000 were
affected. In addition, the earthquake destroyed 250,000 residences and 30,000
commercial buildings. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_Bhola_cyclone)
Comparing Statistics for the Top Natural Disasters
Event
China Floods
Death Toll
Date
1,000,000 - 2,500,000
July 1931
Yellow River Flood
900,000 - 2,000,000
Shaanxi Earthquake
830,000
January 1556
Bhola Cyclone
500,000
November 1970
Haiti Earthquake
316,000
January 2010
September 1887