NOAA: U.S. experiences eleven $1B disasters in 2012 - WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC

NOAA: U.S. experiences eleven $1B disasters in 2012

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By Ashley Batey - email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Superstorm Sandy, extensive drought and tornado outbreaks were all included on NOAA's preliminary list of eleven extreme weather and climate events that individually caused at least $1 billion in losses as of December 20th.  

NOAA says that the eleven costliest disasters to hit the U.S. last year will likely overtake the 2011 economic losses due mainly to the extensive damage caused by the extensive drought felt across much of the country; and Sandy, which killed 131 people.  

In late October, Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey as a Category 1 storm.  When the tropical system merged with a developing Nor'easter, damaging wind and snow were felt as far away as North Carolina.  Final government estimates of damages from Sandy have not yet been released, although forecasting firm Eqecat estimates damages of up to $50 billion.

Nearly as many deaths are attributed to the extensive heat-wave and summer drought that plagued much of the country and killed 123.  Last year's drought is estimated to be the worst since the 1930s, and affected over half the country from California to Georgia, and included the nation's breadbasket, resulting in widespread crop failures.

2005 will likely remain the costliest year on record for $1 billion disasters, when several hurricanes, including Katrina, hit the U.S. coast.

To see the complete list of $1 billion disasters, click here.