Cost of Extreme Weather Disasters in United States Reached $165 billion in 2022, NOAA Report Shows

According to the latest NOAA report, records showed that the United States suffered from extreme to worst weather events, from hurricanes, flooding, megadrought and winter storms.

The report added that it cost the country about $165 billion in 2022.

Hurricanes and severe weather conditions in the U.S. have been the main challenges for many Americans, resulting in widespread flooding, power outages and casualties.

In addition, many were displaced and relocated due to the storm's impact.

Megadrought or prolonged drought in portions of the country, especially in the Mississippi River, raised concerns over the impact on the wildlife, farmers, communities and economy.

As extreme weather events unfolded, the country incurs more costs.

Surging damages

According to CNN's recent report, the U.S. suffered from 18 weather events, and the cost reached about $165 billion in damage in 2022.

In addition, the report said it could cost the country a whopping $1 trillion in damages for the latest seven years.

Based on the NOAA's recent report, CNN explained that the country total damage surpassed 2021's cost.

Alarmingly, the country suffered from about 474 deaths and widespread damage.

Last year, AccuWeather covered the impact of Hurricane Ian on Florida, leaving 152 casualties.

Drone footage showed the catastrophic aftermath of the deadly hurricanes, which looked like a warzone.

Meanwhile, CNN said that category 4 Hurricane Ian's impact cost about $113 billion.

Recent reports also showed that the Mississippi River reached a historically low water level, reaching about $22.2 billion in damages.

The billion-dollar disasters in the United States made it difficult for the economy, and many people were affected and displaced.

On the other hand, the NPR.org report and CNN emphasized that the climate change effect was present in the disasters pounded the U.S., raising concerns over the worsening climate crisis.

The human-caused climate change and unabated greenhouse gas emissions contributed to the problems of extreme weather events.

According to the NPR, NOAA explained that climate change causes more intense extreme weather events in the country, which means more extreme weather hazards, including storms, heat waves and drought.

Also Read: Great Salt Lake in Utah Suffers from Alarming Low Water Levels; Scientists Call for Urgent Emergency Measures

The worrying trends and surge of damage caused concerns over the impact of climate change on natural disasters and communities, making them more vulnerable to extreme and severe weather conditions.

Mitigation effort and commitment

In an interview with CNN, an applied climatologist, Adam Smith, explained that the trend was consistent and required urgent mitigation of future damages, especially since extreme weather events could worsen and persist.

The recent December winter blizzards could add up to the billion-dollar cost in damage from the storm that caused extreme cold temperatures and widespread flight delays.

As a result, experts noted countries' commitment to global efforts in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contributed to the climate crisis.

In the United States, the cooperation of government, businesses and stakeholders is important to achieve climate change mitigation.

Without countermeasures, the costs would soar, and more damage would unfold.