"For this list, we gathered data collected by the National Centers for Environmental Information of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This list is ranked by economic cost (in no particular order) and includes the most expensive natural disasters that caused over $1 billion in damage. This post was updated on September 8, 2025 to clarify deadliest vs. costliest (death toll versus economic cost)."
"This drought hit the Western and Central U.S. states the hardest, though other states felt the ripple effects of this heat wave. Many of the Western water reservoirs began to run low on water and were severely depleted before the drought even began. This led to strict water rationing and emergency measures. Lake Mead reached its lowest level since 1930."
Natural disasters are causing ever-higher economic losses due to population growth into hazardous areas, more expensive infrastructure and buildings, and climate-driven increases in frequency and severity. NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information data were used to compile a ranked list of disasters exceeding $1 billion in damage. The list was updated on September 8, 2025 to clarify deadliest versus costliest events. Recent examples include the 2022 Western and Central U.S. drought and heat wave that depleted reservoirs, forced strict water rationing, lowered Lake Mead to 1930 levels, and reduced river commerce; the 2000 heat wave that strained grids and agriculture across about 20 states; and the 1983 Great Freeze that devastated Florida citrus.
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