Severe weather outbreaks in the US led to a $US1 billion ($1.32 billion) claims bill for the insurance industry last month, according to Impact Forecasting’s latest report.

The most serious event occurred at the end of last month and into this month, as nearly 60 tornadoes touched down across the country – one hitting speeds of 290kmh.

The worst-hit states were Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee, as softball-sized hailstones and straight-line winds damaged homes, businesses and vehicles.

California suffered heavy rain last month, with 200,000 residents evacuated as Lake Oroville reached full capacity and threatened to breach its dam.

Two winter weather outbreaks during the first part of the month caused widespread disruption for parts of the mid-Atlantic and northeast.

Elsewhere, Windstorm Thomas became the costliest European storm of the year so far, hitting western and central Europe and causing insured losses of more than €200 million ($279 million).

Winter storms in Afghanistan and Pakistan caused avalanches that claimed more than 200 lives, and Cyclone Dineo made landfall in Mozambique, killing seven and injuring more than 100. There were also major floods in Peru, Chile, Zimbabwe and Indonesia.

It was a bad month for Australia, with record-breaking heatwave conditions gripping eastern areas from February 9-13, prompting an outbreak of bushfires across NSW.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) declared a catastrophe as insured losses reached $20 million.

Parts of WA suffered heavy rainfall from February 9-16, leading to widespread flooding.

Damaging floods were reported in parts of Eucla, Goldfields, Great Southern, South West, and Central Wheatbelt as agricultural producers endured significant losses.

At least two people were killed after driving into floodwater, and economic damage is expected to run into hundreds of millions of dollars.

Powerful thunderstorms tracked through NSW from February 17-19, leading to widespread damage and disruption.

“The series of storms dropped large hail in several localities including the greater Sydney metro area,” the report says.

“At least one person was killed and nine others were injured as the thunderstorms prompted torrential rain, powerful wind gusts, large hail and numerous lightning strikes across Australia’s most populous state.”

ICA and local insurers reported 48,000 claims lodged, with estimated payouts of at least $330 million.