Give Now

Climate Central

Researching and reporting the
science and impacts of climate change

× +

Who We Are

An independent organization of leading scientists and journalists researching and reporting the facts about our changing climate and its impact on the public.

What We Do

Climate Central surveys and conducts scientific research on climate change and informs the public of key findings. Our scientists publish and our journalists report on climate science, energy, sea level rise. Read More

About Our Expertise

Members of the Climate Central staff and board are among the most respected leaders in climate science. Staff members are authorities in communicating climate and weather links, sea level rise, climate. Read More

Climate Central
  • Home
  • Research
    • Publications
  • Partnership Journalism
  • Gallery
    • Interactives
    • Graphics
    • Maps
    • Collections
  • Videos
    • Extreme Weather
    • States of Change
    • On the Media
    • Climate in Context
    • News and Reports
  • Media Library
  • News Archive
  • What We Do
    • Mission Statement
    • What We Do
    • Board
    • Staff
    • Our Programs
      • Climate Science
      • Climate Matters
      • Sea Level Rise
    • History
    • Support Us
      • Your Support Matters
      • Why Climate Central
      • Ways to Give
      • Learn More
    • Financials
    • For the Media
    • Legal/Terms of Use
    • Jobs
    • Climate Services
    • Press Releases
    • Editorial Independence Policy
  • Support Our Work
National map: top disaster by state (2020)
Download high resolution versions

National map: top disaster by state (2020)

  • Published: February 12th, 2020


Find all local JPG and PNG versions here

With the dawn of the 2020s, it’s a fitting time to look back at climate data over decades past. We’ve already shown decades of warming temperatures at local, national, and global scales. This week, we highlight a related increase in billion-dollar weather and climate disasters across the United States. 

Of the four decades since NOAA data began, the 2010s accounted for nearly half the total number of disasters and cost, even after adjusting for inflation. The 2010s had 119 billion-dollar disasters (double the previous decade), with total costs exceeding $800 billion. 


Title: JPG • PNG  |  No Title: JPG • PNG

Many individual states show similar trends. Compared to the three previous decades, the 2010s had the most billion-dollar disasters in 34 of 52 states and territories (65%). States in the central U.S. had the largest recent spike—compared to any other decade, the 2010s had 33 more disasters in Texas, 23 more in Illinois, and 22 more in Missouri. 


Title: JPG • PNG  |  No Title: JPG • PNG

Many of these disasters are getting worse with climate change, although some extreme events are easier to attribute than others. Warmer oceans are fueling the rapid intensification of hurricanes, while a warmer and wetter atmosphere intensifies their rainfall. Heavier downpours worsen inland flooding and crop damage; coastal flooding is heightened by sea level rise. And extended heat and drought can set the stage for more dangerous wildfires in the West and Alaska.


Title: JPG • PNG   |  No Title: JPG • PNG

Every region faces its own climate risks, as described in the most recent National Climate Assessment. And according to our report last year with the University of Hawaii, many areas’ worst impacts could compound in the future. Climate adaptation measures can reduce those damages, whether that means restoring coastal wetlands or doing prescribed burns (when possible) in wildfire-prone areas. According to the Pew Trusts, the average dollar of pre-disaster adaptation has saved states $6 in post-disaster recovery. As with greenhouse gas emissions, today’s choices shape the severity of tomorrow’s impacts.  

METHODOLOGY: Data source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (1980-2019). The cost has been adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The methodology developed by NOAA NCEI, with input from economic experts and consultants to remove biases, can be found at https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions/overview. Additional review of the methodology can be found in Smith and Katz, 2013. For even more context, see FAQ here and analysis here. 

Posted in Climate, Extremes, Weather, Extreme Weather, United States

Featured Research

Picturing Our Future

Picturing Our Future

Seniors at Risk: Heat and Climate Change

Seniors at Risk: Heat and Climate Change

Report: Flooded Future: Global vulnerability to sea level rise worse than previously understood

Report: Flooded Future: Global vulnerability to sea level rise worse than previously understood

Extreme Heat: When Outdoor Sports Become Risky

Extreme Heat: When Outdoor Sports Become Risky

Climate Change is Threatening Air Quality across the Country

Climate Change is Threatening Air Quality across the Country

Ocean at the Door: New Homes and the Rising Sea

Ocean at the Door: New Homes and the Rising Sea

Climate Central

  • Copyright © 2022 Climate Central.
  • Contact
  • Terms
  • Content Licensing
  • Privacy
  • Site Map