July 2001 Disasters

Updated September 9, 2022 | Infoplease Staff

• southern W.Va. and southwest Va.: Torrential downpours during July caused flooding and mudslides that swept away homes and bridges and killed 2 people. Damages were estimated at more than $200 million.
• July 3, nr.Irkutsk, Siberia, Russia: Russian Tupolev-154 passenger plane crashed and burst into flames, killing all 145 people aboard.
• July 6, northern Philippines, Taiwan, southern China: Typhoon Utor, one of the worst storms to hit the area in years, left more than 160 dead (121 in the Philippines, 46 in China, and 1 in Taiwan). High winds and landslides leveled houses and knocked out roads and bridges. Damages were estimated at $286 million in China and $11.2 million in the Philippines.
• July 18, Baltimore, Md.: Train derailment and fire in downtown tunnel closed several city blocks, blocked highways, and damaged fiber-optic cables, disrupting Internet service nationwide.
• July 30–31, Taiwan and southern China: Typhoon Toraji slammed central Taiwan, causing flash floods and mudslides. At least 61 people were killed. Damages were estimated at $20 million.

See also Major Earthquakes Around the World 2001

See also Recent Volcanic Activity