100+ Natural Disaster Statistics

There are over 6,000 natural disasters that happened worldwide, many of which cost over 1 billion dollars each and claim thousands of lives.  Since 2017 natural disaster fatalities and costs have increased exponentially.

This trend does not seem to be going down, with each subsequent year experiencing higher rates of natural disasters, and last year represented the highest number of natural disasters and the highest cost associated with their respective damages.

Wildfire Statistics

Wildfires have quickly become the most common natural disaster across the United States. There has been an increase in the frequency of wildfires in the five most western states, placing California as the top disaster-prone state as a result. However, Texas is in second place followed by Oklahoma in terms of the frequency of wildfires.

• 40%: Wildfires make up 40% of all the disasters that have occurred since 2003, the largest type of natural disaster event.
• 4.18x: Wildfire-related fatalities of 4.18 x over the last ten years.
• 20%: Wildfire fatalities and damages have increased 20% in the last five years.
• 85%: Over the last five years, Oregon has seen an 85% increase in annual forest fires compared to the 20-year average.
• 51%: Utah has seen a 51% increase over the last five years in terms of annual forest fires compared to their 20-year average.
• 246: California has had an average of 246 wildfires in the last 20 years.
• 136: Texas ranks second for the highest number of wildfires, with 136 in the last 20 years.
• 93: Oklahoma has the third highest rate of wildfires across the US, with 93 in the last two decades.
• 101: Washington state has had 101 wildfires in the last 20 years.
• 65: Oregon has had 65 wildfires in the last 20 years.
• 53: Nevada has had 53 wildfires in the last 20 years.
• 52: Arizona has had 52 wildfires in the last 20 years.
• 45: New Mexico and Montana have had 45 wildfires in the last 20 years.

Wildfire Economic Impact

The table below shows the costs for damages related to wildfires over the last ten years.

The table above indicates a profound increase in costs associated with wildfires since 2017. The total cost has increased significantly year to year.

When you look at the average rate of wildfire disasters equaling 1 billion dollars in damage or higher, no such events were recorded during the 1990s or early 2000s but one annual event was recorded in 2000 and 2003 in the months of August, September, and October.

Such figures indicate that the frequency has significantly changed for wildfires over the last two decades but more than that, each wildfire has been statistically more costly.

Wildfire Fatalities

The table below provides an indication of wildfire-related fatalities across the United States from 2012 through 2022:

Tornado Statistics

The United States has more tornadoes annually than any other country. Tornadoes can happen anywhere. Created by violently rotating air columns, tornadoes extend from thunderstorms, so severe storms can increase the risk of a tornado developing. Tornadoes can travel over mountains, through cities, and even across rivers. The most significant cause of injuries and fatalities from a tornado is flying debris.

Tornadoes, unlike other natural disasters, can happen at any time of day or time of year. In northern states the most common months for tornadoes are between the end of spring and the beginning of summer while in southern states it’s between March and May.

Some of the highest tornado frequencies are in states located in what is called Tornado Alley, a region between central Texas and South Dakota, making Texas and Kansas, as well as Oklahoma, some of the worst states for tornadoes.

• 1,000: In an average year there are 1,000 tornadoes reported across the United States.
• 80: In an average year, 80 deaths are related to tornadoes.
• 124: Texas averages 124 tornadoes each year over the past 20 years.
• 87: Kansas averages 87 tornadoes each year over the past 20 years.

Tornado Fatalities

The table below indicates the number of tornado-related fatalities per year:

Hurricane Statistics

Hurricanes are a severe category of tropical cyclone that typically span 300 miles wide with an outward force of hurricane wind that extends 25 miles to 150 miles, depending on the size of the storm. Hurricanes and tropical storms affect the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, with the most common tropical cyclones hitting anywhere between August and November.

• 74: Hurricanes are a category of tropical cyclones with sustained winds at 74 mph.
• 10: Each year, there is an average of 10 tropical storms that develop around the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean.
• 6: Six of the average ten tropical storms per year become hurricanes.
• 5: In an average 3-year time frame, five hurricanes hit the coast of the United States, killing an average of 75 people between Main and Texas.
• 2: Of the five hurricanes that hit the United States in an average 3-year time frame, two are considered major hurricanes where winds travel at over 110 mph.

Hurricane Fatalities

2005 stands out as the most devastating year for hurricane fatalities, with a total of 1,408 lives lost. This was the year when Hurricane Katrina, the deadliest and most expensive hurricane on record, struck. The second most significant in terms of cost was Superstorm Sandy. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused a total of 147 fatalities. The table below provides a comprehensive view of the number of deaths per year caused by hurricanes from 2005 to 2021.

Hurricane Frequency

When you look at the average rate of hurricane disasters equaling 1 billion dollars in damage or higher, statistics indicate that in the months of June, July, August, September, October, November, and December, there have been an average of three or four times as many disasters totaling more than 1 billion dollars in damage in the last decade, as compared to the last 20 years. The statistics indicate a significant rise in the total number of hurricanes and the economic cost of those hurricanes over the last ten years.

Flood Statistics

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. There are several types of floods, including those caused by rivers through flash floods, those caused by increased rainfall, and coastal floods caused by abnormal rises in seawater caused by storms like tropical cyclones or hurricanes.

Around the United States there have been significant increases in river flooding across the majority of states with the exception of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Alabama, Georgia, and Montana.

Flooding along the coast due to changes in seawater has risen steadily in the last decade in areas like Washington, California, and the entire Eastern seaboard.

Even an inch of water is enough to cause severe property damage. Unfortunately, most people do not realize that traditional homeowners insurance does not extend to flood damage, and even fewer people look at the FEMA flood maps to determine what level of risk exists around their property.

• 30%: 30% of all flood insurance claims are filed in moderate to low-risk areas.
• 5 million: Only 5 million Americans have additional flood insurance protection.
• $2.4 billion: Flood losses have cost an average of 2.4 billion dollars annually for the last ten years.
• 7-8: Since 1900, the global average sea levels have increased by 7-8 inches.
• 10-12: Global sea levels are expected to rise an average of 10-12 inches in the next 30 years.
• 10: The average number of floods from rising sea levels is four per year today, and by 2050 is expected to reach 10 per year.

Flood Frequency

Flooding is a continual risk and a very expensive natural disaster that has continued to rise in frequency.

When you look at the average rate of flood disasters equaling 1 billion dollars in damage or higher, the months of May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December have seen twice as many or more annual events in the last ten years compared to the last three decades.

This would also indicate a significantly higher frequency of flooding throughout the year, more pervasive flooding rather than isolated events, and exceptionally high damages as a result of those events.

Flood Fatalities

The table below presents the average flood fatalities per year since 2010:

Annual Natural Disasters

The annual rate of natural disasters has steadily increased in the last two and a half decades. Historically, the figures have seen a drastic increase in severe storms and tropical cyclones, which cost over 1 billion dollars each in damages.

• 28: There were 28 separate billion-dollar natural disaster events in 2023.
• 22: There were 22 separate billion-dollar natural disaster events in 2022.
• $92.9b: The total cost of the 28 separate events in 2023 exceeded 92.9 billion dollars.
• $1.1t: The total cost of the events from the last seven years is over 1.1 trillion.

Worst Annual Natural Disaster Statistics

Since 1980, the world has been grappling with a persistent and concerning trend; the frequency of natural disasters causing damages of over 1 billion dollars per event has steadily increased.

The table below shows the worst ten years based on the frequency of event type.

5 Most Expensive Annual Natural Disaster Totals

Let’s look at the most expensive annual natural disasters since 1980:

1. 392.6b: Since 1980, 2017 has proven the costliest, with all separate billion-dollar natural disasters amounting to $392.6 billion dollars in damage.
2. 266.8b: 2005 is the second costliest year since 1980, with all separate billion-dollar natural disasters amounting to $266.8 billion dollars in damages.
3. 182.3b: 2022 is in third place for the costliest year, with all separate billion-dollar natural disasters from that year amounting to $182.3 billion in damage.
4. 163.7b: Since 1980, 2021 has proved the fourth most expensive year, with all separate billion-dollar natural disasters amounting to $163.7 billion in damages.
5. 158.5b:  2012 is in fifth place since 1980 for the most expensive in terms of damages from natural disasters, with all separate billion-dollar natural disasters amounting to $158.5 billion dollars in damages.

Natural Disasters In The US

The United States experiences several major types of natural disasters including hurricanes, tropical cyclones, tornadoes, floods, fires, and other severe storms. The table below provides an overview of the average cost and frequency of natural disasters, each more than $1 billion, per year from 1980 until June of 2024, divided by type.

Natural Disaster Future Trends: Are They On The Rise?

According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, natural disasters have risen dramatically in the last five years, more than double the annual average for the past 30 years.

• 11: As of June 10, 11 climate disasters have taken place in 2024 in excess of $1 billion each.
• 84: As of June 2024, the 11 confirmed climate disasters have resulted in 84 deaths.
• 8.5: Between 1980 and 2023, the annual average for natural disasters is 8.5 per year.
• 20.4: Between 2019 and 2023, the annual average number of natural disasters has been 20.4 events per year.

Top 10 Worst Natural Disasters

1. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 Remains the worst natural disaster in the United States. The storm caused 180 billion in damage, resulted in 1,800 deaths, and displaced over 1 million residents.
2. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey along the Northeast Coast resulted in 143.8 billion in damage, 100 deaths, and the displacement of over 30,000 people.
3. That same year, Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and caused over 103.5 billion dollars in damage, with over 3,000 deaths.
4. Hurricane Sandy in 2012 caused 80 billion in damage to New York and New Jersey, resulting in 159 deaths.
5. Hurricane Ida is considered the largest insured loss event because of the insurance claims, but it is ranked the fifth worst natural disaster in the United States. This hurricane hit in 2021 and caused 76.5 billion dollars in damage to Louisiana.
6. Hurricane Irma in September of 2017 caused 57.5 billion dollars in damage in Florida and the US Virgin Islands, killing over 100 people.
7. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew, one of only three Category 5 hurricanes to hit the United States, caused 54.3 billion dollars in damage and left over 160,000 people displaced.
8. The summer of 1988 resulted in an extreme drought across the United States, with 54.3 billion in estimated damage and $454 deaths.
9. In 1993, flooding across the Midwest resulted in severe damage amounting to 41.7 billion dollars and 48 deaths.
10. In 2008, Hurricane Ike, currently the largest Atlantic hurricane to hit the United States, cost $39 billion in damages across more than ten states with over 100 deaths.

US States Most At Risk Of Natural Disasters

According to FEMA, there are several states at risk of different natural disasters.

• Hurricanes: Louisiana, Texas, and Florida are at the highest risk of hurricanes.
• Coastal floods: Virginia, New York, and New Jersey experience the highest risk of coastal flooding.
• River floods: Louisiana and California have the highest risk of river floods.
• Wildfires: California is at the highest risk of wildfires.
• 40%: Wildfires represent 40% of all the natural disasters that have occurred in the United States since 2003.
• 27%: Severe storms represent 27% of all natural disasters that have occurred in the United States in the last ten years.
• 10%: Hurricanes represent 10% of natural disasters that have happened across the United States in the last ten years.

California has the highest number of disasters out of the United States, dealing with severe storms and wildfires. That said, wildfires have also increased significantly in other West Coast states like Oregon.

While California has the highest number of disasters, Louisiana and Florida have the highest number of property damage from disasters.

Wildfires might be the most frequent disaster, but hurricanes cause significantly more damage.

Below is a table with the ten states most at risk of natural disasters:

Natural Disaster Deaths

Every year, there are deaths related to natural disasters, including floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, heat waves or droughts, winter storms, and tropical cyclones.

• 474: In 2022, there were 474 natural disaster-related deaths.
• 35%: The jump between 21 and 2022 in natural disaster deaths was a 35% increase.
• 2023: 2023 had the highest number of natural disaster deaths from drought and heat waves, tornadoes, severe weather, firestorms, wildfires, and hurricanes.

The following table offers a comprehensive view of weather-related fatalities, presenting a 10-year average from 2014 to 2024 (June) and a 30-year average dating back to 1994, categorized by the type of disaster.