US Sets New Record for Billion-Dollar Weather Disasters in Just Eight Months

The United States has already surpassed the annual record for billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, with 23 such events occurring so far this year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These disasters have caused 253 fatalities and $57.6 billion in damages, with four months still remaining in the year. The impact of extreme weather is being exacerbated by decisions to build and rebuild in high-risk areas, as well as the climate crisis. The increasing frequency of disasters is straining resources and putting pressure on FEMA's disaster relief fund, which may run out of money this month. Lawmakers are being urged to invest in resilience measures to better protect people and infrastructure from the impacts of extreme weather.