The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ranked 2017 as the most expensive year ever for natural disasters in the United States, reported the Washington Post. Hurricanes, wildfires and other catastrophes caused a combined $306 billion in damage, with 16 events that cost $1 billion apiece.
“The record-breaking year raises concerns about the effects of future natural disasters, as scientists fear climate change could make extreme weather events more damaging,” said the Post. Hurricanes caused $265 billion, or 87 percent, of the damage due to disasters. At $125 billion, the most expensive disaster was Hurricane Harvey, which hit the Texas and Louisiana coasts and flooded Houston.
Wildfires cost a record $18 billion. “Other large costs came from tornadoes, droughts, flooding and other severe weather events,” said the Post. The previous annual record for damage was $215 billion in 2005, including Hurricane Katrina.