How the U.S. calculates "billion dollar" weather disasters [Ep. 427]

The U.S. has sustained 332 weather and climate disasters since 1980 where overall damages/costs reached or exceeded $1 billion (including CPI adjustment to 2022). The total cost of these 332 events exceeds $2.275 trillion. In 2022 (as of July 11), there have been 9 weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect the United States. These events included 1 drought event and 8 severe storm events. Overall, these events resulted in the deaths of 8 people and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted. The 1980–2021 annual average is 7.7 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2017–2021) is 17.8 events (CPI-adjusted). In this early access episode available to Patreon supporters of the Carolina Weather Group, we chat with Adam Smith, an NOAA applied climatologist based in Asheville, NC. Learn more: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions/ This episode was available early to supporters on Patreon. Join now for as little as $1/month to unlock extras and support our show: https://patreon.com/carolinaweathergroup LEAVE A TIP: https://streamelements.com/carolinawxgroup/tip SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/carolinaweather SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/carolinaweathergroup VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://carolinaweathergroup.com The Carolina Weather Group operates a weekly talk show of the same name. Broadcasting each week from the Carolinas, the show is dedicated to covering weather, science, technology, and more with newsmakers from the field of atmospheric science. With co-hosts across both North Carolina and South Carolina, the show may closely feature both NC weather and SC weather, but the topics are universally enjoyable for any weather fan. Join us as we talk about weather, the environment, the atmosphere, space travel, and all the technology that makes it possible.