The rate and cost of natural disasters in the United States have increased dramatically over the past 50 years.  Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and why:

 

1. The number of disasters has risen sharply

• In the 1980s, the U.S. averaged about 3–5 major (billion-dollar) disasters per year.

• By the 2010s, that number jumped to about 13 per year.

• In the 2020s so far, the U.S. is averaging around 20–25 billion-dollar disasters annually — a five-fold increase from the 1980s.

• (Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information — Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters)​

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2. The cost of damage is skyrocketing​

• Between 1980 and 1989: total disaster costs ≈ $210 billion (inflation-adjusted)

• Between 2010 and 2019: ≈ $900 billion

• In 2023 and 2024 alone, combined >$400 billion in losses
  (Sources: NOAA, AP News, Climate.gov)

 

3. What kinds of disasters are increasing most?

• Severe storms and floods → more frequent due to warmer air holding more moisture.

• Wildfires → now larger and longer-lasting due to heat, drought, and forest management issues.

• Hurricanes → fewer in number overall, but more intense and costly because of higher sea surface temperatures and coastal development.​

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4. Key drivers of the increase

• Climate change: Intensifies rainfall, heatwaves, droughts, and hurricane strength.

• Population growth in vulnerable areas: More people and property in floodplains, coastal zones, and wildfire-prone regions.

• Aging infrastructure: Power grids, levees, and water systems not built for today’s extreme events.

• Better reporting: Modern technology means more events are officially recorded and assessed than in the past.

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5. Bottom line

Yes — natural disasters are more frequent, more destructive, and more expensive now than at any time in the past half-century.
The U.S. is seeing both a real increase in event intensity (climate-driven) and a higher impact due to where and how people live.