Last year, the United States experienced 16 weather and climate disasters each with losses exceeding $1 billion, totaling approximately $306 billion – a new U.S. record, according to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ("NOAA").

At least 362 people died and many more were injured during the course of the following 16 disasters:

- 1 freeze;

- 1 drought (affected multiple areas);

- 1 wildfire (affected multiple areas);

- 2 floods;

- 3 major hurricanes (Harvey, Irma and Maria); and

- 8 severe storms.

The NOAA reported that the biggest disasters included the western U.S. wildfires that caused damages tallying $18 billion – triple the previous U.S. record. Losses from Hurricane Harvey exceeded $125 billion, which ranked second only to Hurricane Katrina, the costliest storm in the 38-year period of record.

Hurricanes Maria and Irma had total damages of $90 billion and $50 billion, respectively. Hurricane Maria now ranks as the third costliest weather and climate disaster on record for the nation, with Irma coming in close behind as fifth costliest.

Since 1980, the United States has sustained 219 weather and climate disasters that have exceeded $1.5 trillion in overall damages to date.