A record number of billion dollar weather disasters struck the United States in 2011.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration added two disasters to the list this week, bringing the total up to a record high of 14, according to their website. Each one caused at least $1,000,000,000 in damages, and destroyed priceless human lives and livelihoods.
The 14 disasters were:
Total losses: >$1.8 billion; at least 35 deaths
Total losses: >$2.8 billion; 9 deaths
Total losses: >$2.2 billion; 0 deaths
Total losses: >$2.1 billion; at least 38 deaths
Total losses: >$10.2 billion; at least 321 deaths
Total losses: >$9.1 billion; at least 177 deaths
Total losses: >$1.3 billion; at least 3 deaths
Total losses: >$10 billion; 0 deaths
Total losses: $3-4 billion; 0 deaths
Total losses: >$1 billion; 2 deaths
Total losses: >$1 billion; at least 5 deaths
Total losses: >$7.3 billion; at least 45 deaths
Total losses: >$1 billion; at least 5 deaths
Total losses: >$1 billion; 21 deaths
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Joplin High School following 2011 tornado, taken June 26, 2011 (US Army Corps of Engineers, Wikimedia Commons)