U.S. damage from natural disasters in 2024 totaled $182.7 billion

Damage to the U.S. from natural disasters in 2024 amounted to $182.7 billion, according to a January 10 report of the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) NOAA.

It is specified that in 2024 there were 27 separate weather and climate disasters with damage of at least $ 1 billion. These disasters led to about 568 victims, which is the eighth highest rate of disasters over the past 45 years. The cost of eliminating the consequences of natural disasters in 2024 amounted to approximately $182.7 billion.

According to the report, 2024 is the fourth most expensive year on record, behind 2017 ($395.9 billion), 2005 ($268.5 billion) and 2022 ($183.6 billion).

For 2024, the U.S. experienced: two winter storms/cold waves (in the northwest and central/southern U.S. in mid-January), wildfire (South Fork fire in New Mexico that destroyed many homes, vehicles, businesses, and other infrastructure), drought and warming (impacted the south, eastern and northwestern U.S.), flooding (flooding in the Upper Midwest in mid-June in several states), six tornado outbreaks (in the central and southeastern U.S.), five tropical cyclones (Beryl, Debbie, Francine, Helen, and Milton), and 11 extreme weather events.

Previously, Swiss Re estimated annual natural catastrophe losses at a minimum of $200 billion on February 28, 2024, with the highest risks of natural catastrophe damage growth recorded in the Philippines ($12 billion) and the U.S. ($97 billion).