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.
BLOG: The Cruel Mysteries of Tornadoes
The 14 disasters were:
- Groundhog Day blizzard: Jan. 29 to Feb. 3, 2011
Total losses: >$1.8 billion; at least 35 deaths
- Midwest/Southeast tornadoes: April 4-5, 2011
Total losses: >$2.8 billion; 9 deaths
- Southeast/Midwest tornadoes: April 8-11, 2011
Total losses: >$2.2 billion; 0 deaths
- Midwest/Southeast tornadoes: April 14-16, 2011
Total losses: >$2.1 billion; at least 38 deaths
- Southeast/Ohio Valley/Midwest tornadoes: April 25-28, 2011
Total losses: >$10.2 billion; at least 321 deaths
- Midwest/Southeast tornadoes: May 22-27, 2011
Total losses: >$9.1 billion; at least 177 deaths
NEWS: Deadly Tornado Strikes Missouri Town
- Midwest/Southeast tornadoes and severe weather: June 18-22, 2011
Total losses: >$1.3 billion; at least 3 deaths
- Southern Plains/Southwest drought and heatwave: Spring-Fall, 2011
Total losses: >$10 billion; 0 deaths
- Mississippi River flooding: Spring-Summer, 2011
Total losses: $3-4 billion; 0 deaths
- Rockies and Midwest severe weather: July 10-14, 2011 (* added Jan. 19, 2012)
Total losses: >$1 billion; 2 deaths
- Upper Midwest flooding: Summer 2011
Total losses: >$1 billion; at least 5 deaths
- Hurricane Irene: Aug. 20-29, 2011
Total losses: >$7.3 billion; at least 45 deaths
- Texas, New Mexico, Arizona wildfires: Spring-Fall 2011
Total losses: >$1 billion; at least 5 deaths
- Tropical Storm Lee: Early September 2011 (* added Jan. 19, 2012)
Total losses: >$1 billion; 21 deaths
IMAGE:
Joplin High School following 2011 tornado, taken June 26, 2011 (US Army Corps of Engineers, Wikimedia Commons)
Tags: Meteorology, Natural Disasters, Water
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