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New Jersey Summary

U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters

CPI-Adjusted: All costs are adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI).

From 1982–2026, New Jersey experienced 80 billion-dollar events totaling $50B–100B in CPI-adjusted costs. The costliest year was 2012 ($20B–50B), and the most active year by count was 2024 (10 events). Risk Score accounted for the largest share of costs, while Risk Score was most frequent. Over the last 5 years, annual CPI-adjusted costs were down 80% versus the long-term average.

New Jersey Monthly Climatology of Billion-Dollar Disasters (45 years)

Monthly climatology of billion-dollar disasters
MonthDroughtFloodingFreezeSevere StormTropical CycloneWildfireWinter StormTotal
Jan3001001014
Feb300600413
Mar410600213
Apr4001000014
May400600010
Jun610910017
Jul700410012
Aug700140012
Sep600070013
Oct51001018
Nov50000005
Dec31100027

New Jersey Monthly Probability of Billion-Dollar Disasters

Monthly probability of billion-dollar disasters
Month1+ Events2+ Events3+ Events4+ Events5+ Events
Jan24%4%2%0%0%
Feb27%2%0%0%0%
Mar27%2%0%0%0%
Apr24%4%2%0%0%
May20%2%0%0%0%
Jun27%11%0%0%0%
Jul22%4%0%0%0%
Aug24%2%0%0%0%
Sep27%2%0%0%0%
Oct16%2%0%0%0%
Nov11%0%0%0%0%
Dec16%0%0%0%0%
Total Events
80
Total Cost
$50B–100B
Average Cost / Event
$500M–1B

New Jersey Cost (cumulative monthly)

New Jersey Events (cumulative monthly)

Severe storm

Central and Eastern Tornado Outbreak and Severe Storms

Cost:$1.4B
On March 15 and 16, a tornado outbreak and severe storm system swept across multiple states in the Central and Eastern United States. On March 15 alone, more than 50 tornadoes were reported, with the greatest concentration across southern Illinois, western Kentucky, northeast Arkansas, and southeast Missouri. These storms caused widespread damage to homes, businesses, vehicles, and critical infrastructure. In many areas, communities also faced downed trees and power lines, leading to road closures and power outages.
Winter storm

Central and Eastern Winter Storm

Cost:$3.8B
Deaths:171
Between January 23 and 26, a major winter storm brought significant snow and ice across the Central and Eastern United States, extending into parts of the Deep South. The event was notable for its extreme cold, with daily record low temperatures recorded across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. High winds, prolonged cold, and heavy snow and ice caused widespread damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles, along with extensive impacts to trees and power lines. In some areas, including parts of northern Mississippi, power outages persisted for more than two weeks.
Severe storm

North Central and Eastern Severe Storms

Cost:$1.0B
Deaths:4
Severe storms producing damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes caused widespread damage across several north-central and eastern states. The storm system persisted for multiple days, stretching from Minnesota to Virginia, with additional impacts in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Severe storm

North Central and Northeast Severe Storms

Cost:$2.8B
Deaths:7
A damaging severe weather event impacted many North Central and Northeastern states between June 15 and 19 delivering a combination of high winds, hail and isolated tornadoes. Over 1,400 confirmed damage reports were received by the National Weather Service over this multi-day event with thunderstorm high wind damage constituting the majority of the reports. There were also more than 60 tornado reports concentrated in central Minnesota and Illinois.
Severe storm

Southeastern Severe Storms

Cost:$1.6B
Deaths:18
On February 15 and 16, a powerful storm system swept through the Southeast, with impacts reported across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. An EF-2 tornado damaged homes, farms, agriculture and other infrastructure in Gibson County, Tennessee. In Franklin County, Alabama, a second EF-2 tornado caused damage to homes, vehicles, agriculture and other infrastructure. Several EF-1 tornadoes also impacted homes, vehicles, businesses and agriculture in the Mississippi counties of Itawamba, Lee, Hinds, Newton and Lauderdale. There were also a few states on the northern half of this system that experienced less costly damage from high winds and some snow and ice accumulation.
Drought

Southern/Eastern/Northwestern Drought and Heat Wave

Cost:$5.6B
Deaths:136
Drought conditions impacted many Southern, Eastern and Northwestern states. This drought was more transient in its impacts over numerous states throughout the year. The states of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas had some of the highest losses to crops from the effects of drought and heat. As the drought changed in intensity and duration throughout the year across several regions of the country. Several Northwestern states also had costly impacted to agriculture including Montana, Idaho and Washington. Numerous southern and eastern states from Mississippi through Pennsylvania also experienced crop impacts that were most severe in the Summer months. The drought conditions also strengthen through the Fall and Winter months impacting Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. It was also one of the hottest years on record for a number of these states, which claimed more than 100 lives from excessive heat exposure.
Tropical cyclone

Hurricane Debby

Cost:$2.6B
Deaths:17
Category 1 Hurricane Debby made landfall on August 5 near Steinhatchee, Florida with 80 mph sustained winds and a second landfall near Bulls Bay, South Carolina as a tropical storm on August 8. Debby produced over 10 inches of rainfall from southwestern Florida up through the coastal sections of Georgia and the Carolinas. Debby continued to track up the East Coast affecting numerous states with heavy rain, flash flood and river flooding and strong winds. A frontal system merged with the remnants of Debby that led to flash flooding in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and southeastern New York. This interaction also produced an EF-1 tornado that impacted Buffalo, New York.
Severe storm

Central and Eastern Tornado Outbreak and Severe Weather

Cost:$2.5B
Deaths:2
An outbreak producing more than 79 tornadoes developed across many central and eastern states. There were also over 1,000 reports of high wind and hail damage during this multi-day event. On July 15, this outbreak spawned 32 tornadoes and broke the Chicago-area record for the most tornadoes in a day. The states most impacted were Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and New York that experienced considerable damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and other infrastructure.
Severe storm

Central and Northeast Severe Weather

Cost:$1.8B
Deaths:3
High wind, hail and tornadoes impact numerous central and northeastern states on June 24-26. Several states were impacted by tornadoes including Nebraska, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. On June 25, an EF-3 tornado hit Whitman, Nebraska and the surrounding area. It was the first strong tornado to impact Grant County, Nebraska in more than 70 years. On June 26, a tornado that impacted Providence County, Rhode Island was the first June tornado reported in the state since records began in 1950.
Severe storm

Central, Southern, Eastern Severe Weather

Cost:$5.0B
Deaths:5
Severe storms across many central, southern and eastern states produced widespread impacts from several dozen tornadoes, severe hail and high winds. The states most impacted were Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa and Wisconsin, as each experienced considerable damage to homes, vehicles, businesses, agriculture and additional infrastructure. On May 21, an EF-4 tornado cut a 44-mile path across southeast Iowa, with peak wind speeds of 175-185 mph. The town of Greenfield, Iowa was heavily damaged. Multiple 'Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS)' watches were issued by NOAA's National Weather Service for these states, during this multi-day sequence. Several eastern states also sustained high wind damage from these storms.
Severe storm

Southern and Eastern Severe Weather

Cost:$2.8B
Southern and eastern severe weather produced tornadoes, hail and high wind, from Texas to Virginia. The event began with severe hail and high wind impacts across central and eastern Texas, followed by more than 20 tornadoes impacting the Gulf Coast counties of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. There were additional high wind and tornado impacts in North Carolina and Virginia.
Severe storm

Central Tornado Outbreak and Eastern Severe Weather

Cost:$2.6B
Deaths:3
A central tornado outbreak produced more than 85 tornadoes across a three-day period from Oklahoma to West Virginia. This outbreak included 19 EF-0, 52 EF-1 and 14 EF-2 tornadoes, which were most concentrated across the Ohio River Valley on April 1-2. These tornadoes and severe weather impacts across several eastern states caused damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and other infrastructure.
Severe storm

Central and Eastern Severe Weather

Cost:$1.6B
Severe storms produced two dozen tornadoes, hail and high wind impacts across northern Illinois, central Ohio and southern Michigan. There were additional high wind impacts focused across northern Kentucky and northern Georgia causing damage to homes, vehicles, businesses and other infrastructure.
Winter storm

Central, Southern, Northeastern Winter Storm and Cold Wave

Cost:$2.0B
Deaths:41
A bitterly cold airmass affected numerous central and southern states most including Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Georgia. This long-duration cold wave produced sleet and freezing rain accumulations into the deep south, across much of Mississippi. High winds also pushed wind chills well below zero for many states contributing to dozens of fatalities, many in Tennessee. Damage also occurred to homes, vehicles and businesses from the high winds and frozen precipitation.
Severe storm

Southern Tornado Outbreak and East Coast Storm

Cost:$2.9B
Deaths:3
Southern tornado outbreak and east coast storm impacted more than a dozen states. At least 39 preliminary tornadoes were clustered around the Florida Panhandle through the Carolinas while hundreds of high wind reports were scattered up the East Coast reflecting damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and other infrastructure. The strongest tornado was an EF-3 that caused significant damage around Panama City Beach, Florida, after an intense waterspout moved onshore.
Flooding

East Coast Storm and Flooding

Cost:$1.4B
Deaths:5
Powerful east coast storm from Florida to Maine produced widespread impacts from heavy rainfall, flooding, high winds and coastal erosion. The heavy rainfall and snowmelt were amplified by record-high temperatures in the Northeast.
Severe storm

Northeastern and Eastern Severe Weather

Cost:$1.8B
Deaths:4
More than one thousand reports of high wind, severe hail or tornadoes across many Northeastern and Eastern states. August 7 was a prolific day of severe weather with damage reports from Georgia to New York. These storms caused impacts to many homes, vehicles, businesses, agriculture and other infrastructure.
Severe storm

Rockies Hail Storms and Central and Eastern Severe Weather

Cost:$5.6B
Deaths:8
Severe hail storms across Colorado damaged many homes, vehicles and injured approximately 100 people at a large outdoor concert. This multi-day outbreak of severe weather also produced more than 60 tornadoes across portions of Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, Indiana, Kentucky and Arkansas that caused damage to homes, businesses, vehicles, agriculture and other infrastructure.
Severe storm

Central Tornado Outbreak and Eastern Severe Weather

Cost:$6.1B
Deaths:33
A historic tornado outbreak across numerous central states caused widespread damage from at least 145 tornadoes. States most impacted were Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, Tennessee and Pennsylvania where there was severe damage to homes, businesses, vehicles, agriculture and other infrastructure.
Winter storm

Northeastern Winter Storm/Cold Wave

Cost:$1.9B
Deaths:1
A strong winter storm produced snow, high winds and bitter cold across numerous Northeastern states. High winds caused widespread power outages in Massachusetts while Mount Washington, New Hampshire observed a wind chill temperature of -108 degrees Fahrenheit. This was one of the coldest wind chill temperatures ever recorded in the United States.
Winter storm

Central and Eastern Winter Storm and Cold Wave

Cost:$9.3B
Deaths:87
Historic winter storm and powerful arctic front caused significant impact across much of the nation, bringing heavy rains, snow, ice and high winds that sent temperatures plummeting. More than 200 million people were under a winter weather advisory or warning and more than a million customers, from Texas to Maine, were left without power. Buffalo, New York was paralyzed by near hurricane force winds and continuous snow squalls, which contributed to dozens of fatalities in the region. Additional impacts were widespread frozen water pipes that led to extensive water damage in many homes, businesses and to other critical infrastructure.
Severe storm

North Central Hail Storms

Cost:$2.7B
Severe hail storms with numerous reports of golf-balled sized hail causing damage across southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. These hail storms were south of the hail storms that damaged many homes, vehicles and businesses just 10 days earlier on May 9.
Severe storm

Southeast Tornado Outbreak

Cost:$1.6B
Deaths:3
A tornado outbreak on April 4-6 with a combined 100 preliminary tornadoes reported. The tornadoes occurred across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. Many of these tornadoes were clustered along the southern regions of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. During this three-day period many of these tornadoes were rated as either EF-1 or EF-0, but there were also nine EF-2, three EF-3 and one EF-4 tornado. This EF-4 occurred in Pembroke, Georgia on April 5th with winds of 185 mph that destroyed several neighborhoods. Many of the other tornadoes across the South caused considerable damage to homes, businesses, vehicles, and other infrastructure.
Tropical cyclone

Hurricane Ida

Cost:$87.5B
Deaths:96
Category 4 Hurricane Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 930 mb. Ida was one of three hurricanes in recorded history to make landfall in Louisiana with 150 mph winds, along with Hurricane Laura in 2020 and the 'Last Island' hurricane of 1856. Grand Isle, Louisiana took a direct hit with 100% of its homes damaged and nearly 40% were nearly-to-completely destroyed. There was heavy damage to the energy infrastructure across southern Louisiana causing widespread, long duration power outages to millions of people. Parts of New Orleans were without power for nearly a week due to the widespread damage. As the remnants of Ida moved into the Northeast it merged with a frontal system creating severe weather and flash flooding across a wide region from eastern Pennsylvania to New York. Flash flood emergencies were declared in New Jersey and New York for the first time, producing damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and infrastructure while also causing dozens of fatalities.
Tropical cyclone

Tropical Storm Elsa

Cost:$1.5B
Deaths:1
Tropical Storm Elsa made landfall in Taylor County, Florida producing heavy rain, wind, flooding and tornadoes in portions of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, as well as flooding across parts of the Northeast. Southern New England and New York's Long Island experienced flash flooding, leading to impassable roads, stranded vehicles and disruption. Elsa was the earliest fifth-named storm on record.
Severe storm

Eastern Severe Weather

Cost:$1.7B
Deaths:8
Severe weather producing hail, high wind and more than two dozen tornadoes impacted numerous states including Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Tennessee was also affected with significant flooding in Nashville and surrounding areas that damaged businesses, homes and vehicles. There were also many high wind damage reports across Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey.
Severe storm

Southeast Tornadoes and Severe Weather

Cost:$2.1B
Deaths:6
At least 41 tornadoes impact several states including Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. These included one EF-4, four EF-3s, ten EF-2s and approximately two-dozen EF-1 or EF-0 tornadoes. The strongest of these tornadoes were focused across central Alabama and western Georgia with tracks across the entire width of Alabama. There was widespread damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and infrastructure.
Tropical cyclone

Hurricane Isaias

Cost:$6.0B
Deaths:16
Hurricane Isaias made landfall in southeastern North Carolina as a category 1 storm. Isaias accelerated up the East Coast, resulting in widespread damage and power outages across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. There was also considerable inland flooding most notably in Pennsylvania. In addition, 34 tornadoes developed across North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey due to Isaias. Many tornadoes were weaker (EF-0 and EF-1) producing scattered damage to agriculture, structures and residences. Isaias also produced several EF-2 tornadoes and one EF-3 tornado that caused damage in coastal North Carolina and Virginia.
Severe storm

Central, Southern and Eastern Severe Weather

Cost:$1.3B
Deaths:1
Severe weather across many Central, Southern and Eastern states produced primarily large hail and high winds that caused widespread damage to many homes, vehicles and businesses. The states affected included Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey.
Severe storm

Southeast and Eastern Tornado Outbreak

Cost:$4.4B
Deaths:35
Outbreak of at least 140 tornadoes from Texas to Maryland including 3 EF4s, 12 EF3s, 20 EF2s, 77 EF1s and 28 EF0s. Damage was extensive and highly destructive to many homes, vehicles and businesses across more than a dozen Southeast and Eastern states.
Severe storm

South, East and Northeast Severe Weather

Cost:$1.6B
Deaths:3
Severe weather across many South, East and Northeastern states including AL, FL, GA, SC, LA, MS, TN, NC, VA, PA, RI, NY, NJ, MD and MA. There were more than 20 tornadoes clustered across central Mississippi into Tennessee. There were also hundreds of high wind damage reports from Florida to New Jersey, with the Carolinas and Florida receiving the most costly damage.
Severe storm

Rockies, Central and Northeast Tornadoes and Severe Weather

Cost:$5.9B
Deaths:3
A four-day tornado outbreak impacts many states across the Rockies, Central and Northeast (CO, WY, NE, KS, OK, MO, IA, IL, IN, OH, PA and NJ). This outbreak produced 190 tornadoes in addition to hundreds of reports of damaging hail and straight-line thunderstorm winds. Of particular note was an EF-4 tornado that produced heavy damage near the city of Dayton, Ohio on May 27.
Severe storm

Southeast, Ohio Valley and Northeast Severe Weather

Cost:$1.6B
Deaths:2
Tornadoes, severe weather and flooding in the south (MS, AL, TN) and high-wind damage across many Ohio Valley (IL, IN, OH) and Northeastern states (CT, MD, MA, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV). This storm system produced heavy rain that caused major flooding along parts of the Ohio, Mississippi and Tennessee rivers.
Severe storm

Central and Eastern Severe Weather

Cost:$1.8B
Deaths:5
Severe storm damage across many Central states including TX, KS, CO, OK, MO, IL, IN, IA and OH. This was followed by a derecho event across the Northeastern states of MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV, MA and CT that caused widespread high wind damage. Also, there were one dozen tornadoes reported across PA, NY and CT causing further damage.
Severe storm

Southern and Eastern Tornadoes and Severe Weather

Cost:$1.7B
Deaths:3
Tornadoes and severe storms with large hail cause widespread damage across many Southern and Eastern states (AR, FL, GA, LA, MD, MI, MS, MO, NJ, NY, NC, PA, SC, TX, VA) over a multi-day period. There were over 70 confirmed tornadoes largely clustered in Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia. This same system also caused winter storm impacts of high wind and ice accumulation in northeastern states.
Winter storm

Northeast Winter Storm

Cost:$2.9B
Deaths:9
Powerful Nor'easter impacted many Northeastern states including MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, CT, DE, RA and VA. Widespread damage resulted from the combination of high winds, heavy snow and heavy coastal erosion.
Winter storm

Central and Eastern Winter Storm

Cost:$1.4B
Deaths:22
A Nor'easter caused damage across many Northeastern states including MA, NJ, NY, CT, ME, NH, PA, MD, RI, SC, TN, VA, NC and GA.
Severe storm

Rockies and Northeast Severe Weather

Cost:$2.0B
Severe storms across the Rockies and Northeastern states (CO, WY, VA, MD, PA, NJ, NY) caused large hail and high wind damage. Storm damage in Colorado was the most costly due to hail.
Severe storm

Southeast and Eastern Tornadoes

Cost:$1.4B
Deaths:10
Early outbreak of tornadoes and severe weather across many southern and eastern states including (AL, CT, FL, GA, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TX, VA). There were at least 50 confirmed tornadoes causing widespread damage.
Flooding

South Carolina and East Coast Flooding

Cost:$2.7B
Deaths:25
Historic levels of flooding impacted South Carolina causing widespread damage to many homes, businesses, public buildings and infrastructure. This interrupted commerce and closed major transportation corridors (such as I-95) for weeks as rivers slowly receded. Locally extreme rainfall totals exceeding 20-inches were common resulting from the convergence of a powerful low pressure system/frontal boundary and copious moisture from Hurricane Joaquin in the Atlantic.
Severe storm

Central and Northeast Severe Weather

Cost:$1.6B
Deaths:1
Severe storms across numerous Central and Northeast states (CO, CT, IA, IL, MD, MI, NJ, NY, PA, SD, VA, WI) with widespread hail and high wind damage.
Winter storm

Central and Eastern Winter storm, Cold Wave

Cost:$4.1B
Deaths:30
A large winter storm and associated cold wave impacted many central, eastern and northeastern states (CT, DE, GA, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA). The city of Boston was particularly impacted as feet of snow continued to accumulate causing load-stress on buildings and clogging transportation corridors. Total, direct losses in Massachusetts alone exceed $1.0 billion for this event, with considerable damage in many other states.
Severe storm

Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Tornadoes and Flooding

Cost:$2.4B
Deaths:33
Tornado outbreak across the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast states (AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KS, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA) with 83 confirmed tornadoes. Mississippi had its 3rd greatest number of tornadoes reported for any day since 1950. Torrential rainfall in the Florida panhandle also caused major flooding, as Pensacola set new 1-day and 2-day precipitation records of 15.55 and 20.47 inches, respectively. Flooding rains were also reported in coastal Alabama, as Mobile received 11.24 inches of rain, the third greatest calendar day rainfall total for the city.
Winter storm

Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Winter Storm

Cost:$3.0B
Deaths:16
Winter storm caused widespread damage across numerous Midwest, Southeast and Northeastern states (AL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA).
Drought

U.S. Drought/Heat Wave

Cost:$43.2B
Deaths:123
The 2012 drought is the most extensive drought to affect the U.S. since the 1930s. Moderate to extreme drought conditions affected more than half the country for a majority of 2012. The following states were affected: CA, NV, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, TX, ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, AR, MO, IA, MN, IL, IN, GA. Costly drought impacts occurred across the central agriculture states resulting in widespread harvest failure for corn, sorghum and soybean crops, among others. The associated summer heat wave also caused 123 direct deaths, but an estimate of the excess mortality due to heat stress is still unknown.
Tropical cyclone

Hurricane Sandy

Cost:$91.7B
Deaths:159
Extensive damage across several northeastern states (MD, DE, NJ, NY, CT, MA, RI) due to high wind and coastal storm surge, particularly NY and NJ. Damage from wind, rain and heavy snow also extended more broadly to other states (NC, VA, WV, OH, PA, NH), as Sandy merged with a developing Nor'easter. Sandy's impact on major population centers caused widespread interruption to critical water/electrical services and also caused 159 deaths (72 direct, 87 indirect). Sandy also caused the New York Stock Exchange to close for two consecutive business days, which last happened in 1888 due to a major winter storm.
Severe storm

Plains/East/Northeast Derecho

Cost:$4.1B
Deaths:28
Sustained outbreak of thunderstorms/high winds from a strong derecho event over the central, eastern, and northeastern states (IL, IN, KY, OH, WV, SC, NC, VA, MD, DC, NJ).
Winter storm

Northeastern Winter Storm

Cost:$1.3B
Deaths:1
Winter storm impacts northeastern states including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hamsphire, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Tropical cyclone

Tropical Storm Lee

Cost:$3.6B
Deaths:21
Wind and flood damage across the southeast (LA, MS, AL, GA, TN) but considerably more damage from record flooding across the northeast (PA, NY, NJ, CT, VA, MD). Pennsylvania and New York were most affected.
Tropical cyclone

Hurricane Irene

Cost:$19.4B
Deaths:45
Category 1 hurricane made landfall over coastal NC and moved northward along the Mid-Atlantic Coast (NC, VA, MD, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, VT) causing torrential rainfall and flooding across the Northeast. Wind damage in coastal NC, VA, and MD was moderate with considerable damage resulting from falling trees and power lines, while flooding caused extensive flood damage across NJ, NY, and VT. Over seven million homes and businesses lost power during the storm. Numerous tornadoes were also reported in several states further adding to the damage.
Flooding

Northeast Flooding

Cost:$2.8B
Deaths:11
Heavy rainfall over portions of the Northeast in late March caused extensive flooding across several states (RI, CT, MA, NJ, NY, PA). The event caused the worst flooding in Rhode Island's history.
Winter storm

Northeast Winter Storm

Cost:$1.2B
Deaths:3
Winter storm produced 10-20 inches of snow and high wind impacts across numerous northeastern and eastern states including Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. These impacts were most focused in Pennsylvania and Maryland, as this winter storm closely followed a previous winter storm from the week prior.
Drought

U.S. Drought

Cost:$10.9B
Severe drought and heat caused agricultural losses across a large portion of the U.S. Record low lake levels also occurred in areas of the southeast. The states impacted include AL, AR, CA, CO, GA, ID, IN, KS, KY, MD, MN, MS, MT, NC, ND, NJ, NM, OH, OK, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA and WI.
Severe storm

Midwest/Mid-Atlantic Severe Weather

Cost:$2.4B
Deaths:18
An outbreak of tornadoes and thunderstorms over the Midwest/Mid-Atlantic states (IA, IL, IN, KS, NE, MI, MN, MO, OK, WI, MD, VA, WV).
Drought

Western/Eastern Drought/Heat Wave

Cost:$5.7B
Deaths:15
Severe drought with periods of extreme heat over most of the southeast and portions of the Great Plains, Ohio Valley, and Great Lakes area, resulting in major reductions in crop yields, along with very low stream-flows and lake levels. Includes states of ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, TX, MN, WI, IA, MO, AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, NC, SC, FL, TN, VA, WV, KY, IN, IL, OH, MI, PA, NY.
Severe storm

East/South Severe Weather and Flooding

Cost:$4.0B
Deaths:9
Flooding, hail, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms across numerous states (CT, DE, GA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MS, NH, NJ, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, TX, VT, VA) in mid-April, including 3 "killer" tornadoes.
Flooding

Northeast Flooding

Cost:$2.5B
Deaths:20
Severe flooding over portions of the northeast due to several weeks of heavy rainfall, affecting the states of NY, PA, DE, MD, NJ, and VA.
Tropical cyclone

Hurricane Jeanne

Cost:$12.9B
Deaths:28
Category 3 hurricane makes landfall in east-central Florida, causing considerable wind, storm surge, and flooding damage in FL, with some flood damage also in the states of GA, SC, NC, VA, MD, DE, NJ, PA, and NY. Puerto Rico also affected.
Tropical cyclone

Hurricane Ivan

Cost:$35.3B
Deaths:57
Category 3 hurricane makes landfall on Gulf coast of Alabama, with significant wind, storm surge, and flooding damage in coastal AL and FL panhandle, along with wind/flood damage in the states of GA, MS, LA, SC, NC, VA, WV, MD, TN, KY, OH, DE, NJ, PA, and NY.
Tropical cyclone

Hurricane Isabel

Cost:$9.7B
Deaths:55
Category 2 hurricane makes landfall in eastern North Carolina, causing considerable storm surge damage along the coasts of NC, VA, and MD, with wind damage and some flooding due to 4-12 inch rains in NC, VA, MD, DE, WV, NJ, NY, and PA.
Drought

U.S. Drought

Cost:$16.7B
Moderate to extreme drought over large portions of more than 30 states, including the western states, the Great Plains, and much of the eastern U.S.
Tropical cyclone

Tropical Storm Allison

Cost:$15.7B
Deaths:43
The persistent remnants of Tropical Storm Allison produce rainfall amounts of 30-40 inches in portions of coastal Texas and Louisiana, causing severe flooding especially in the Houston area, then moves slowly northeastward; fatalities and significant damage reported in TX, LA, MS, FL, VA, and PA
Tropical cyclone

Hurricane Floyd

Cost:$12.7B
Deaths:77
Large, category 2 hurricane makes landfall in eastern NC, causing 10-20 inch rains in 2 days, with severe flooding in NC and some flooding in SC, VA, MD, PA, NY, NJ, DE, RI, CT, MA, NH, and VT.
Drought

Eastern Drought/Heat Wave

Cost:$5.0B
Deaths:502
Very dry summer and high temperatures, mainly in eastern U.S., with extensive agricultural losses. The states impacted include AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, SC, TN, VA, WV and PA.
Winter storm

Central and Eastern Winter Storm

Cost:$1.8B
Winter storm affecting the Central and Eastern states including IL, IN, OH, MI, WV, VA, MD, PA, NJ, NY, MA, CT, VT, NH and ME.
Winter storm

Central and Eastern Winter Storm

Cost:$2.0B
Deaths:25
South, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast affected by damaging winter storm
Severe storm

Central and Eastern Severe Storms and Flooding

Cost:$1.8B
Deaths:12
Severe storms and flooding impact numerous Central and Eastern states. In particular, these storms and floods affected many residences and businesses throughout north-central and eastern Ohio. More than 7,000 homes were affected and more than 1,000 structures were completely destroyed or declared uninhabitable.
Severe storm

Northern Plains and Great Lakes Derecho, Tornadoes

Cost:$2.3B
Deaths:20
Severe storms in late May through early June hit the Midwest, North, Northeast, and Southeast
Severe storm

Mississippi and Ohio Valley Severe Weather and Flooding

Cost:$2.0B
Deaths:67
Tornadoes and severe flooding hit the states of AR, MO, MS, TN, IL, IN, KY, OH, and WV, with over 10 inches of rain in 24 hours in Louisville.
Winter storm

Blizzard/Floods

Cost:$6.4B
Deaths:187
Very heavy snowstorm (1-4 feet) over Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast; followed by severe flooding in parts of same area due to rain and snowmelt.
Drought

Central, Southern and Northeast Drought/Heat Wave

Cost:$2.1B
Deaths:872
Historic mid-July heat wave and urban heat island amplification caused hundreds of deaths across several major cities including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia. Following the heat wave was hot, dry weather in July and August 1995 that affected crops in numerous states, as crops had not rooted well due to late planting from previous wet soils. This left crops vulnerable to a flash drought during a key portion of the growing season.
Winter storm

Southeast Ice Storm

Cost:$6.7B
Deaths:9
Intense ice storm with extensive damage in portions of TX, OK, AR, LA, MS, AL, TN, GA, SC, NC, and VA.
Winter storm

Winter Storm, Cold Wave

Cost:$2.3B
Deaths:70
Winter storm affects the Southeast and Northeast regions. The states impacted include CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT and WV.
Winter storm

East Coast Blizzard and Severe Weather

Cost:$12.6B
Deaths:270
The "Storm of the Century" impacts the entire Eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine. This historic storm dumped 2-4 feet of snow and caused hurricane force winds across many Eastern and Northeastern states. This caused power outages to over 10 million households. Additional impacts included numerous tornadoes across Florida causing substantial damage. This was the most destructive and costly winter storm to affect the United States (since 1980), until it was surpassed by the February 2021 winter storm and cold wave.
Winter storm

Northeast Winter Storm

Cost:$5.7B
Deaths:19
Slow-moving winter storm batters northeast U.S. coast, with the New England region hardest hit. The states impacted include VA, MD, DE, PA, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA and WV.
Tropical cyclone

Hurricane Gloria

Cost:$2.6B
Deaths:11
Category 2 hurricane makes several landfalls along the eastern seaboard, affecting states from North Carolina to Maine.
Winter storm

Winter Storm, Cold Wave

Cost:$2.6B
Deaths:150
Extreme cold and winter storms in the Southeast, South, Southwest, Northeast, Midwest, and North
Severe storm

Tornadoes, Severe Storms, Floods

Cost:$1.9B
Deaths:80
States in the Southeast and Northeast regions are impacted by tornadoes, severe storms, and flooding. The states impacted include GA, FL, SC, NC, VA, MD, DE, NJ, NY, PA, CT, MA and RI.
Freeze

Freeze/Cold Wave

Cost:$6.7B
Deaths:151
Severe freeze damages citrus crops across central/northern Florida. Associated cold wave over much of the U.S. causes over 100 deaths and additional damages.
Winter storm

Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Winter Storm, Cold Wave

Cost:$2.3B
Deaths:85
Winter storm and cold wave affect numerous states (AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) across the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast.
Showing 80 events

About State-Level Data

State-level summaries and charts on this page are derived from authoritative data that assigns costs to each affected state for every billion-dollar disaster. Those state-specific costs are shown only as binned ranges. The event cards and table list each disaster's full event cost rather than an exact state allocation.

Climate Central maintains this comprehensive database tracking U.S. weather and climate disasters since 1980 where overall damages/costs reached or exceeded $1 billion (including Consumer Price Index adjustment). As the steward of this dataset, Climate Central is committed to maintaining the scientific rigor and methodological standards established by NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) while enhancing the dataset's utility for climate communication and public understanding of climate risks.

For more information on methodology and data sources, please visit the main Billion-Dollar Disasters page.