Nation struck with 18 Billion-Dollar Disasters in 2022

Last year, the U.S. experienced 18 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, leading to the deaths of at least 474 people, reports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The following 18 events, each exceeding $1 billion, put 2022 in third place (tied with 2011 and 2017) for the highest number of disasters recorded in a calendar year, behind 2021 with 20 events and 2020, with a record 22 separate billion-dollar events.  One winter storm/cold wave event (across the central and eastern U.S.).  One wildfire event (wildfires across the western U.S., including Alaska).  One drought and heat wave event (across the western and central U.S.).  One flooding event (in Missouri and Kentucky).  Two tornado outbreaks (across the southern and southeastern U.S.).  Three tropical cyclones (Fiona, Ian and Nicole).  Nine severe weather/hail events (across many parts of the country, including a derecho in the central U.S).  Damages from these disasters totaled approximately $165.0 billion for all 18 events. This surpasses 2021 ($155.3 billion, inflation adjusted) in total costs, which makes 2022 the third most costly year on record, only behind 2017 and 2005; all inflation adjusted to 2022 dollars).  Hurricane Ian was the most costly event of 2022 at $112.9 billion, and ranks as the third most costly hurricane on record (since 1980) for the U.S., behind Hurricane Katrina (2005) and Hurricane Harvey (2017).  Over the last seven years (2016-2022), 122 separate billion-dollar disasters have killed at least 5,000 people, with a total cost of more than $1 trillion in damages. Five of the last six years (2017-2022, with 2019 being the exception) have each had a price tag of at least $100 billion.