What has happened to the annual number of billion-dollar disaster events in the U.S. since 1980?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
According to the data from the chart above, what year has had the highest number of billion dollar weather and climate disasters in the U.S.?
According to the data from the chart above, what type of natural disaster has been the most expensive over time?
Based on the data from the chart above, describe one trend in billion dollar weather and climate disasters in the U.S.
How have natural disasters impacted you state and community?
In 2024, there have been 27 confirmed U.S. billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events. These events include: seventeen severe storm events (tornado outbreaks, high wind, hailstorms) five tropical cyclones, one wildfire, one drought/heat wave and two winter storm/cold wave events. The total cost from these 27 events in 2024 was $182.7 billion. This is our current cost estimates as of January 10th and may rise by several billion dollars as new data become available. The total cost of the last ten years (2015-2024) exceeds $1.4 trillion while the costs for 403 events from 1980-2024 exceeds $2.915 trillion (inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars). What do these numbers and the visual above make you wonder about the state of natural disasters in the future?
Researchers tell us there are a number of reasons for the rising cost of natural disasters. 1-People are moving to more disaster prone areas where they are more susceptible to hurricanes, fires, and tornadoes. 2-Climate change which is cased by human activity and creates a warmer planet, which in turn increases the risk of more extreme weather. 3-Human development, such as urban sprawl, can make slopes more prone to failure and trigger landslides. 4-Resource exploitation, such as mining and deforestation, can make slopes more prone to failure and trigger landslides. Which of these factors do you think is most responsible for the rising number and cost of natural disasters?
Considering the human impact on climate and the influx of human migration to lands that were once deemed too dangerous to live in; is it fair to call natural disasters natural?
The Department of Homeland Security includes the Secret Service, Customs and Border Protection (Border Patrol), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Transportation Security Administration (those nice folks at the airport), Coast Guard, and FEMA. The budget for FEMA in FY2022 is 90.8$ billion. Which of these agencies within FEMA do you think has the biggest budget?*
During his first presidency from 2017 to 2021, President Trump repeatedly expressed doubts about climate change being caused by human behavior, calling it a "hoax." Out on the campaign trail for a second term, he called it "one of the great scams of all time." The executive branch, which Donald Trump will lead in less than two weeks is in charge of The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which studies climate, weather, oceans, and coasts to help people prepare for severe weather and support international shipping. Do you think that information like the visual above will continue to be created and shared under a second Trump presidency?
According to the visuals below* Texas has more billion dollar disasters than any other state, and California has the most wildfires. How do national disasters like Hurricane Helene and the current California wildfires illustrate the concept of federalism?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
If you would like to directly help the people impacted by this hurricane please connect with the organizations listed below.
American Red Cross
The Red Cross offers food, shelter, supplies, and emotional support to victims of crisis. It already has hundreds of workers and volunteers in Los Angeles. You can learn more about the American Red Cross and make a donation here. Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which helps people affected by disasters such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires and tornadoes.
World Central Kitchen
When there is a disaster, Chef José Andrés is there with his teams to set up kitchen facilities and start serving thousands of meals to victims and responders. You can help by donating on their website. I was privileged to work with World Central Kitchen during the Hurricane Helene recover efforts. World Central Kitchen has already set up a massive feeding operation in Los Angeles. .Learning Extension
Read more about FEMA and their role in disaster relief.
Action Extension
Contact your congressperson and tell them what you think the government should do to help the folks impacted by 2024 weather and climate disasters.
Get Creative
Many people in the Los Angeles fires’ path of destruction had to evacuate their homes with almost no warning. Think about what it would be like to evacuate from your home so abruptly. Make a list of the five most valuable possessions you would take with you if you had to suddenly evacuate your home.
Learning Extension*
Read the national center for environmental information report on weather disasters.
