This is how many billion-dollar disasters have struck the US this year

A record number of billion-dollar weather and climate disasters have already hit the U.S. this year, according to NOAA, with several months left to go in 2023.

A record number of billion-dollar weather and climate disasters have already hit the U.S. this year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with several months remaining in 2023.

A total of 23 separate billion-dollar disasters have been confirmed this year -- the most events on record during a calendar year, NOAA announced on Thursday.

PHOTO: FILE - Roofing material covers a fallen palm tree after Hurricane Idalia in Perry, Fla., Aug. 31, 2023.
Roofing material covers a fallen palm tree after Hurricane Idalia in Perry, Fla., Aug. 31, 2023.
Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE

The average number of billion-dollar weather- and climate-related events between 1980 and 2022 is 8.1. However, the annual average for the past five years, 2018 to 2022, is 18 events.

These events include two flooding events, 18 severe storm events, including Hurricane Idalia in August, one tropical cyclone event, one winter storm event, and the recent Maui wildfires.

MORE: Hurricane Ian could cause $75 billion in damage

NOAA is also watching the aftermath of Tropical Storm Hilary, which struck Southern California last month, and the drought in the South and Midwest, as potential billion-dollar disasters for 2023.

PHOTO: FILE - In an aerial view, a car is left stranded in widespread flooding as a series of atmospheric river storms melts record amounts of snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, March 23, 2023 near Corcoran, Calif.
In an aerial view, a car is left stranded in widespread flooding as a series of atmospheric river storms melts record amounts of snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, March 23, 2023 near Corcoran, Calif.
David Mcnew/Getty Images, FILE

Much of the eastern U.S. has been consistently warmer than average during 2023, with 28 states experiencing a top-10 warmest January through August, according to NOAA.

MORE: Damage from weather, climate disasters could exceed $100B in 2022, NOAA says

In addition, the Atlantic Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30, and NOAA has predicted above-average activity for the remainder of the season.

PHOTO: Burned palm trees and destroyed cars and buildings in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 11, 2023.
Burned palm trees and destroyed cars and buildings in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 11, 2023.
Moses Slovatizki/AFP via Getty Images

The billion-dollar disasters in 2023 have resulted in more than 250 deaths, and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted, according to NOAA.

Since 1980, the U.S. has experienced 371 weather and climate disasters in which the damages and costs reached or exceeded $1 billion, which includes a consumer price index adjustment to 2023, according to NOAA.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

10 protesters arrested for blocking bus carrying asylum-seekers in New York City

Image
One of the protesters in Staten Island is also accused of assaulting an officer. Protesters flooded the street outside a former senior living facility in Staten Island, temporarily blocking a bus carrying asylum-seekers, after local leaders said they learned it was slated to house New York City’s latest migrant shelter. Ten people were arrested, nine of whom received summonses for disorderly conduct and were released, police said. Vadim Belyakov, 48, was charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and obstructing government administration after an officer was injured trying to arrest him, according to police. He will be arraigned in criminal court Wednesday. The police officer was treated for a knee injury. City Councilman David Carr said the city Department of Social Services told him the shelter would be opening at the former Island Shores Senior Living Facility, which brought dozens of residents to protest , and police officers quickly responded to close the street ...
Read more

SEC Approves Landmark Rule Requiring Some Companies to Report Emissions, Climate Risks

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday approved a rule that will require some public companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, after last-minute revisions that weakened the rule in the face of strong pushback from companies. The rule was one of the most anticipated in recent years from the nation’s top financial regulator, drawing more than 24,000 comments from companies, auditors, legislators and trade groups. It brings the U.S. closer to the European Union and California, which moved ahead earlier with corporate climate disclosure rules. The rule passed 3-2, with three Democratic commissioners supporting it and two Republicans opposed. Read More: Actually, Clean Tech Investment is Still Going Strong Publicly traded companies will be required to say more in their financial statements about the risks climate change poses to their operations and their own contributions to the problem. But the version approved Wednesday was weak...
Read more

40-year-old father falls to his death in front of wife and 5 children on Oregon hiking trail

Image
A hiker was killed over the weekend when he slipped and plummeted down the side of a mountain in front of his wife and five children in Oregon, officials said. A 40-year- old hiker was killed over the weekend when he slipped and plummeted down the side of a mountain in front of his wife and five children near Oregon's Multnomah Falls, officials said. The hiking trail tragedy unfolded about 2 p.m. Saturday about a half-mile from the iconic Benson Bridge, a footbridge near Oregon's tallest waterfall, the 620-foot Mulnomah Falls, authorities said. "Mom, Dad, five kids were all here enjoying a beautiful day. And unfortunately, a tragic accident happened," said John Plock, a spokesman for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. "At one point on the trail, the father slipped and fell and fell down the side of an embankment." Plock said the man, whose name has not been released, fell 100 to 150 feet down the embankment alongside the Columbia River Highway. A...
Read more