Collections: Learning from past disasters

Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton were two tropical cyclones which caused widespread destruction and fatalities across the Southeastern United States in late September and October 2024.

On 6 February 2023, two earthquakes struck southern and central Türkiye, and northern and western Syria. The first had a magnitude of Mw 7.8 and the second Mw 7.7.

From mid-June to August 2022, record-breaking rainfall fell over Pakistan culminating in widespread flooding that affected at least 33 million people and which submerged a third of the country. 

In July 2021, weather system ‘Bernd’ caused catastrophic damage and inconceivable human suffering in several European countries. Severe flooding, particularly in Germany, claimed more than 230 lives and left many communities in ruins.

In January 2022, a submarine volcanic eruption triggered a tsunami in the Pacific island state of Tonga. Despite successful disaster preparedness and response measuers, the events demonstrated the compound and cascading risk features of these hazards.

India and Pakistan are experiencing a record-shattering heatwave with temperatures exceeding 45℃ in many areas, leading to critical electricity and water shortages. In addition, the heatwave demonstrates the need for heat action plans.

South Africa experienced catastrophic floods and landslides in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape after exceptionally heavy rainfall. With lives lost, houses and roads destroyed, the cause of the disaster can be linked to climatic change.

Flooding in New South Wales and southeast Queensland has led to lost lives, homes, belongings, pets and livelihoods. This region, particularly Western Sydney, is no stranger to climate-related disasters.