Every year, the U.S. experiences catastrophic weather disasters. From drought, wildfires and floods to tropical cyclones, hurricanes and tornadoes, the array of natural disasters is just as diverse as their locations and devastating consequences.

The most disastrous events in terms of death and destruction are large tropical weather systems, including hurricanes and tropical storms. In the United States, hurricanes occur during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs approximately from June 1 to November 30.

Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms affect several eastern and southeastern states, including coastal areas of Florida, Texas, Louisiana and North Carolina.

Many people will remember 2020 as an unprecedented year for many reasons. Not only was the U.S. severely affected by a global pandemic, but we also set a new annual record for billion-dollar weather and climate disasters. According to official government classification factors, 2020 had 22 billion-dollar climate disasters, crushing the previous record of 16 in both 2011 and 2017. Out of these 22 weather events, seven were hurricanes or tropical storms:

• Hurricane Isaias: Category 1 hurricane which hit several areas of coastal North and South Carolina between August 3 and 4. The hurricane brought about severe storm surge and tornadoes causing approximately $4.5 billion in damage.
• Tropical Storm Eta: Weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm by the time it hit the Florida Keys, but still managed to bring heavy rain, storm surges and flooding, which took an economic toll of about $550 million.
• Hurricane Sally: Category 2 hurricane that produced heavy wind, storm surge and freshwater flooding in parts of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle between September 15 and 16. It caused an estimated $7.3 billion in damage.
• Hurricane Zeta: Category 2 hurricane which hit parts of coastal Louisiana on October 28 before moving to the Alabama and Mississippi coastlines, causing $1.5 billion in damage.
• Hurricane Laura: Category 4 hurricane which made landfall in Southwest Louisiana. As the strongest hurricane to date to affect this part of the state, Laura caused catastrophic damages in the amount of $19 billion.
• Hurricane Delta: Category 2 hurricane that made landfall near Creole, Louisiana on October 9 and weakened to a tropical storm on October 10, causing damages in the amount of $2.3 billion.
• Hurricane Hanna: Category 1 hurricane that affected parts of South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley on July 25,causing severe storm surge flooding and economic losses of approximately $1 billion.

What Are the Most Expensive Natural Disasters in the U.S.?

Several types of natural disasters, like hailstorms and wildfires, are common within the United States. However, when it comes to economic damage, hurricanes remain the most expensive weather events. This is mainly due their ability to produce several devastating impacts, including high winds, deadly storm surge, tornadoes and flooding.

Even minor hurricanes can claim innocent lives, cause irreversible damage to property and leaving cities and towns without power or running water for weeks.

The three most financially devastating natural disasters in American history were Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Maria. Katrina, which struck Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama in the summer of 2005, caused 2,000 people to lose their lives and $182.5 billion in economic loss. Some affected parts of Louisiana remain uninhabited to this day.

Right behind Katrina are 2017’s Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Maria, which resulted in $141.3 billion and $101.7 billion in economic damage respectively.

Was 2020 the Most Expensive Year for Natural Disasters?

No, 2020 wasn’t the most expensive year for natural disasters in the U.S.

Even though there was a record number of severe weather and climate events, their cumulative strength didn’t outweigh the devastating financial consequences of some single weather events from prior to 2020. For instance, 2020’s total damage amounted to $102 billion, which was significantly less than the total cost of Hurricane Harvey ($141.3 billion).

The most financially disastrous year from a weather standpoint was 2017, with weather events causing $306.2 billion in damage, breaking 2015’s record of $214.8 billion.