This is interesting information sent to the newsroom from Forbes Advisor that seems especially relevant going in to hurricane season 2023.
Natural disasters in the U.S. have increased significantly over the past few decades. Over the past five years, the U.S. has experienced an average of 18 billion-dollar climate disasters each year, up from 6.7 billion-dollar disasters per year in the 2000s.
In some parts of the country, residents are more vulnerable to devastating and costly weather events. So, which states are most susceptible to major climate disasters?
To find out, Forbes Advisor analyzed data from the National Centers for Environmental Information and found that Texas ranks #1 among the states most impacted by billion-dollar climate disasters.
Between 2012 and 2022, Texas experienced 84 climate disasters that caused $1 billion or more in damage.
Top 5 Most Disaster-Prone States:
1. Texas: Between 2012 and 2022, Texas experienced 84 climate disasters that caused $1 billion or more in damage. These disasters cost the state roughly $225 billion total.
2. Illinois: Illinois experienced 52 climate disasters that caused $1 billion or more in damage between 2012 and 2022. These disasters cost the state roughly $35 billion.
3. Missouri: Over the past decade, Missouri was hit by 51 climate disasters that caused $1 billion or more in damage. These disasters cost the state roughly $15 billion.
4. Virginia (tie): Between 2012 and 2022, Virginia experienced 50 weather disasters that caused $1 billion or more in damage. These disasters cost the state approximately $7.5 billion.
4. Georgia (tie): Over the past 10 years, Georgia endured 50 climate disasters that caused $1 billion or more in damage. These disasters cost the state around $15 billion.
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