Crazy Climate costs: Wild U.S. Weather Has inflicted Damage costing over $200B

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A National Centers for Environmental Information Administration study showed that through August, “There have been 20 confirmed weather and climate disaster events this year, each with losses exceeding $1 billion.” Based on hurricanes since then, the figure has risen by at least two times.

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By the end of August, these disasters included 16 severe storm events, one tropical cyclone, one wildfire “event,” and two winter storms. Since then, Hurricanes Helene and Milton have each estimated to have caused over $100 billion in damage.

Among the triggers of the disasters were abnormally high temperatures. “The average temperature of the contiguous U.S. in August was 74.0°F, 1.9°F above average.” Temperatures rose above 110 degrees F in Las Vegas, Phoenix and some inland areas of California.

Drought
Below-average rainfall caused severe drought in the Ohio Valley, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and parts of southern California. “According to the September 3 U.S. Drought Monitor report, about 30% of the contiguous U.S. was in drought, up a little over 10% from the end of July.”

NOAA and National Weather Service mid-range forecasts show higher-than-average heat is expected for the rest of autumn balance. The hurricane season does not end until November 30