What Do Natural Disasters Cost Us? And How Can We Prevent Them?

• Author: Jeffrey Simmons
• Posted: 2024-09-25

Each year, the United States experiences a wide variety of natural disasters, many of which cause huge losses and destruction. These disasters are more than just extreme natural events. They are characterized by loss of life and substantial damage to properties. Here are the most common disasters in the United States. What Do Disasters Cost Us? And How Can We Prevent Them? Learn More About Natural Disasters

In recent U.S. history, 2021 was the costliest year for natural disasters. At least 20 separate storms wreaked $145 billion in damage in the U.S. In total, this is the third-highest disaster cost on record. Last year, at least 688 people died in disaster-related incidents across the country. That's the highest disaster death toll since 1980, and double the number of deaths recorded in any year since that time.

While the risk of death and destruction from natural disasters is higher in large populations, it doesn't mean that people living in those areas are at a greater risk of suffering a disaster than those living in smaller, urbanized areas. In 2018, there were 5 tropical cyclones that struck the U.S. mainland, with 107 deaths reported in coastal areas. In addition to hurricanes, wildfires are another significant risk for US citizens. During 2018, there were 16 wildfires in the U.S. and caused 107 deaths.

Hurricane Katrina, which struck Puerto Rico in June of last year, killed 1,303 people and affected 11 million people in the U.S. The 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, which killed nearly 2,000 people, has been the most devastating natural disaster in U.S. history. The death toll for these disasters is typically higher than what these numbers indicate. However, in recent years, hurricanes have killed 16134 Americans, and tropical cyclones have destroyed tens of thousands of buildings and homes in the U.S.