Economic losses due to natural disasters in the U.S. 2009-2023

In 2023, severe convective storms caused the most expensive damage in the United States. Severe convective storms, for instance, caused overall losses of 72 billion U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, wildfire, drought, and heatwaves, resulted in economic losses of 20 billion U.S. dollars. Tropical cyclone damage amounted to under five billion U.S. dollars in 2023, a significant dropdown from a previous high in 2022.

Impact of severe thunderstorms in the U.S.

Severe thunderstorms pose a great risk to public safety and often results in fatalities. People can be harmed in many ways during a thunderstorm, such as directly struck by lightning or hurt when a building collapses/tree falls down. In 2019, 70 people were killed as a result of severe thunderstorms. Lightning strikes alone caused 20 deaths and 100 injuries in that year.

How much was paid out due to thunderstorms?

The high risk of damage posed by thunderstorms means that insurance cover is an important tool in reducing the losses incurred. In 2020 alone, approximately 71,500 homeowner insurance claims were paid due to lightning losses.