Deadly tornadoes and severe storms that struck parts of the US in March caused billions of dollars in damage, Aon’s monthly Global Catastrophe Recap report says.

A broad storm system that spawned tornadoes and large hailstorms on March 2-5 was the most costly, with economic damages exceeding $US1.1 billion ($1.71 billion). About three-quarters of the damage, mainly in the Midwest and southeast, were insured.

“Natural peril activity remained elevated during the month of March as thunderstorms, flooding, and earthquakes were all prevalent,” Aon’s Impact Forecasting Director Steve Bowen says.

“As the severe weather season accelerates towards its historical peak during the [northern] spring, the US endured many episodes of large hail, straight-line winds and tornadoes that resulted in billions of dollars of economic damage and lives lost.”

Last month also saw severe thunderstorms and flooding in Asia, particularly in Vietnam, Indonesia, China and Pakistan.

In Europe, windstorms in France, Spain, Sweden, Germany and Croatia caused millions of euros in economic damage.