NOAA’s NCEI tracks U.S. weather and climate events that have great economic and societal impacts (www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions). Since 1980, the U.S. has sustained 279 weather and climate disasters where the overall damage costs reached or exceeded $1 billion (including adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index, as of 2020). The cumulative cost for these 279 events exceeds $1.825 trillion.

The latest quarterly update showed that the first 9 months of 2020 has already tied the annual record of 16 events that occurred in 2011 and 2017.  These events included 1 drought event, 11 severe storm events, 3 tropical cyclone events, and 1 wildfire event.  Notably, the 10 August derecho event is at least in the top 4 most costly severe storm events to affect the U.S. since 1980 (when record keeping began).  Final agricultural damages from the derecho have not yet been determined, but current have costs due to this event stand at $7.5B.

Given the increasing prevalence and prominence of these events, you’ll definitely want to be informed. Register below and attend to learn the latest.