The U.S. dealt with 28 disasters that each cost over $1 billion last year, according to NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. That’s the most in one year since records began in 1980.

What You Need To Know

  • The U.S. had 28 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2023

  • 19 of them were severe storms and tornadoes

  • The 28 disasters cost an estimated $93 billion

  • Last year broke the record of 22 such events in 2020

The average number of billion-dollar disasters since 1980 is 8.5 per year. However, from 2019 to 2023, the average was 20.4 events, including the previous record of 22 events in 2020.

NOAA adjusts for the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation.

Here’s when and where 2023’s billion-dollar disasters happened.

The majority were from severe storms and tornadoes, which made up 19 of them. The rest included four floods, two tropical cyclones (including Hurricane Idalia), one wildfire, one winter storm and one drought/heat wave.

The year may end up with one more, depending on the tally from the mid-December East Coast storm.

In total, NCEI estimates 2023’s billion-dollar disasters cost $93.0 billion, above the average of $60.5 billion. They also say these also contributed to at least 492 deaths.

NOAA’s information on 2023’s costly disasters came the same day that Europe’s climate agency reported the global average temperature last year set a record that was 2.66 degrees above pre-industrial levels. The Lower 48 had its fifth-hottest year on record, according to NOAA.

Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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