US Sets New Record with 23 Billion-Dollar Climate Disasters So Far in 2023

The US has set a new record for billion-dollar climate disasters in a single year, with 23 events costing $1bn or more so far in 2023.
Total costs from disasters this year exceed $57 billion, driven by fires, floods, storms, and other extreme weather exacerbated by climate change.
Experts say more communities built in risk-prone areas and vulnerability is "supercharging" disasters into billion-dollar events.
The previous record was 22 billion-dollar disasters in 2020, a benchmark experts thought would stand longer before being surpassed again.
Scientists urge rapidly reducing emissions and increasing resilience to reverse the worsening trend of catastrophic climate disasters.

theguardian.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/31/2023

Hurricane Idalia could become 2023’s costliest climate disaster for the US

Hurricane Idalia may become the costliest climate disaster in the US this year, with potential damages estimated between $9.36bn and $20bn, highlighting the increasing frequency and severity of weather-related events that are impacting the insurance and risk management industries.

9/12/2023

Record-Breaking Hurricane Pushes 2022 U.S. Billion-Dollar Disaster Tally to 23 and Counting

Hurricane Idalia became the 23rd billion-dollar weather disaster in the United States this year, surpassing the previous record set in 2020, highlighting the increasing frequency and cost of such catastrophes, which experts attribute to factors including climate change and ongoing development in disaster-prone areas.

9/12/2023

Record Disasters Show U.S. Struggling to Adapt to Climate Change Effects

A record 23 billion-dollar disasters in the United States so far this year highlight the country's struggle to adapt to the effects of climate change and the limitations of its defenses, with growing costs from disasters reflecting not only global warming but also the limitations of the federal government's efforts to increase resilience and the challenges of implementing stricter building codes.

9/18/2023

US Breaks Annual Record for Costly Climate Disasters

In 2023, the US has already experienced a record-breaking number of billion-dollar disasters and hundreds of deaths due to climate catastrophes, with Hurricane Idalia and the Maui wildfires contributing to the devastating statistics.

9/21/2023

Rising Costs of Extreme Weather Linked to Climate Change Top $2.6 Trillion Since 1980

Climate-related disasters in the US since 1980 that exceeded $1 billion in damage have had a profound economic impact, but they don't fully capture the hidden costs, such as mental and physical trauma, environmental damage, and supply-chain disruptions that people are paying for, as extreme weather events become more frequent and intense due to climate change.

10/9/2023

Climate Crisis Costs $16 Million per Hour in Extreme Weather Damage Over Last 20 Years

The damage caused by extreme weather due to the climate crisis has resulted in a cost of $16 million per hour over the past two decades, with storms, floods, heatwaves, and droughts becoming more frequent and intense due to global heating, according to a study that estimates average annual costs of $140 billion, though the figures are likely underestimated due to lack of data.

10/9/2023

China Hit with $42 Billion in Disaster Damages, 24 Million Acres of Crops Affected in 2023's Extreme Weather

China has suffered economic losses of $42 billion over the first nine months of 2023 due to natural disasters, including torrential rains, landslides, hailstorms, and typhoons, which have caused deaths, massive flooding, and crop damage.

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Posted 9/11/2023, 9:27:00 PM

US Sets New Record with 23 Billion-Dollar Climate Disasters So Far in 2023

The US has set a new record for billion-dollar climate disasters in a single year, with 23 events costing $1bn or more so far in 2023.
Total costs from disasters this year exceed $57 billion, driven by fires, floods, storms, and other extreme weather exacerbated by climate change.
Experts say more communities built in risk-prone areas and vulnerability is "supercharging" disasters into billion-dollar events.
The previous record was 22 billion-dollar disasters in 2020, a benchmark experts thought would stand longer before being surpassed again.
Scientists urge rapidly reducing emissions and increasing resilience to reverse the worsening trend of catastrophic climate disasters.

theguardian.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/31/2023

Hurricane Idalia could become 2023’s costliest climate disaster for the US

9/12/2023

Record-Breaking Hurricane Pushes 2022 U.S. Billion-Dollar Disaster Tally to 23 and Counting

9/12/2023

Record Disasters Show U.S. Struggling to Adapt to Climate Change Effects

9/18/2023

US Breaks Annual Record for Costly Climate Disasters

9/21/2023

Rising Costs of Extreme Weather Linked to Climate Change Top $2.6 Trillion Since 1980

10/9/2023

Climate Crisis Costs $16 Million per Hour in Extreme Weather Damage Over Last 20 Years

10/9/2023

China Hit with $42 Billion in Disaster Damages, 24 Million Acres of Crops Affected in 2023's Extreme Weather