Natural disasters in Virginia increase by nearly 140% over past 20 years, new report says
A new weather analysis has found that billion-dollar natural disasters have increased in Virginia by nearly 140% over the past two decades.
According to the report from QuoteWizard, a tool by Lending Tree, homeowners should be aware of exactly what their policies cover in case of extreme weather, since some events like flooding require extra coverage. In Virginia, 96 natural disasters have occurred since 1982, costing a total of $10-20 billion.
“Many states have seen staggering increases in major natural disasters over the last 20 years,” the report reads. “Nationwide, nine states have experienced a 200% or more increase in natural disasters.”
As for Virginia, 28 natural disasters took place from 1983-2002. That increased to 67 within the same time span from 2003-2022. Flooding, specifically, doubled. From 1983-2002, there were about 12 major flooding events in the United States, and from 2003-2022, that number was 24. Data for the report came from the National Centers for Environmental Information, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service.
“Severe storms are by far the most common type of natural disaster. Over the last 20 years there have been 135 billion-dollar natural disasters caused by severe storms,” the report reads. “That’s a 440% increase from the previous 20 years. Cyclones (hurricanes), floods and drought are the next most common natural disasters.”
Each geographic region of the U.S. faces a unique combination of weather and climate hazards, but the Southeast regions have experienced the highest frequency and highest cost from billion-dollar disaster events, particularly the Gulf Coast.
“The U.S. has sustained 348 weather and climate disasters since 1980 where overall damages/costs reached or exceeded $1 billion (including CPI adjustment to 2023). The total cost of these 348 events exceeds $2.51 trillion,” NOAA said. “In 2023 (as of April 10), there have been no confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion to affect the United States. The 1980-2022 annual average is 8.1 events; the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2018–2022) is 18 events.”
According to recent data from NOAA, tropical cyclones and severe storms take up the majority of the state’s bills caused by natural disaster. Severe storms account for about 44% of the costs, and tropical cyclones cause about 42% of damages. Freezes cost about 13%, and the 24 major events from 2019-2022 in Virginia have cost about $1-2 billion.
The 2010s were particularly damaging in Virginia, with 35 total billion-dollar disasters. So far this decade, there have been 22 disasters, or about 7.3 per year. Last year had six events.
Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com
