Natural disasters cost the insurance industry billions of dollars a year. According to NOAA, between 1980 and 2024, the United States alone experienced more than 400 extreme weather events that each inflicted a total loss greater than $1 billion, with the combined total for that time period topping $2,918.1 billion. The most disastrous decade spanned the 2010s, which saw 131 weather events causing $994.7 billion in total damages.

But the number of such intense events is steadily increasing, with the 2020s well on track to surpass both the total number of events and the total amount of damages from the previous decade. From 2020 to 2024, there were 115 billion dollar events, roughly 88 percent of the total number of billion dollar events from the previous 10 years. The comparative amount of damages wasn’t much different–disasters in the 2010s cost $994.7 billion, while the period from 2020 to 2024 saw $746.7 billion in damages, representing 75 percent of the damages from the 2010s.

Millions of people are affected on an annual basis, sometimes by multiple disasters. Different natural disasters are accompanied by different hazards, and each type of disaster presents unique coverage issues. While perils such as fire and wind are generally covered, it’s helpful to know what preventative steps can be taken to mitigate damage, and how insureds can best protect their property.

Our disaster compendium pulls together information on seven types of natural disasters—tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, blizzards, earthquakes, and volcanoes—that affect different parts of the United States. We explore the backgrounds of these disasters and go into detail on the following coverage aspects for each type of disaster:

  • Seasons - The general season for each type of disaster is given in the chart below. Some disasters have specific seasons. For other disasters, the “season” depends on your physical location. Still others have no season because occurrences are not tied to specific weather patterns. We go into more detail about the season for a particular disaster in the individual articles. 
  • Intensity - High intensity disasters are generally associated with more extensive damages, which lead to larger claim payments. But what, exactly, does the meteorologist mean when she says a thunderstorm is capable of producing an EF-4 tornado? What is the significance of saying that the eruption of Mount Saint Helens in 1980 was classified as “Plinian” and described as “paroxysmal”? Some of the scales used to measure disasters, such as the Enhanced Fujita Scale for tornadoes and the Saffir-Simpson Scale for hurricanes, are relatively familiar. Other disasters, like floods, don’t have a specific measurement scale, but there are systems that rate certain aspects of them. For example, NOAA defines five separate “flood stages” for rivers, creeks, and similar bodies of water that refer to how much a river or creek has exceeded its banks. We describe the scale or scales used to determine the intensity of a disaster and explain what each level means.  
  • Expected Damages - We describe the type and extent of damages generally associated with each disaster. Hurricanes generally result in wind and water damage, while wildfires have their own concerns. We take a bird’s-eye view of expected damages.  
  • Coverage Issues - We review the types of damages that are generally excluded from coverage, whether personal or commercial, associated with the hazards presented by each type of disaster. All policies have their exclusions and exceptions, and policies vary by company. We provide a generalized overview of standard ISO policies. 
  • Safety Measures - The amount of warning time preceding a natural disaster varies. Though radar can predict when and where a hurricane will strike or a tornado will touch down, it is more difficult or, in the case of earthquakes, impossible to predict a natural disaster. There are recommended actions an insured can take to prepare and protect property before a disaster occurs. Boarding windows, moving property to higher levels if a flood is imminent, trimming vegetation around the structure, and similar actions are known measures that can be put in place to protect property. 

It should be noted, however, that the information given in this series is not exhaustive. Our aim is to provide basic information on these disasters and how different aspects of a particular disaster may affect the coverage process. Click on each type of disaster to learn more about how they form, how they are measured, what safety measures you should take, and more.

*Note on wildfires: The “season” for wildfires depends heavily on your physical location. For areas along the eastern seaboard of the U.S., the wildfire season is mostly consistent with the season highlighted in red in the chart above. For states in the west and southwest—California, for example—ongoing drought and other shifting weather patterns mean wildfires have become a year-round hazard, and the danger reaches its peak during the summer months.

Though general preparedness measures may vary by the specific type of natural disaster, some things remain consistent, such as the need for survival kits and what should go in them. Check out the FC&S Disaster Preparation Guide for information on how to prepare yourself and your property from an impending disaster, plus the items we recommend putting in your disaster “go bag.”

Water

One of the most pressing needs during a disaster is finding clean, safe drinking water. You should only use boiled, bottled, or treated water if you suspect your tap water is unsuitable for drinking. If you suspect or know a water source has been contaminated or is otherwise unsafe for consumption, do not use it for any purpose that, at some point in the process, is or comes into contact with something that is consumed by humans or animals, such as drinking, washing dishes, brushing teeth, washing or preparing food, washing your hands or body, or making ice or baby formula.

The best method for killing any germs present in water is boiling. However, if you do not have a heat-safe vessel to use for boiling, this method is impractical. Water can also be sanitized using chemical agents, such as unscented bleach. If you need to purify water, and assuming your bleach has a sodium hypochlorite concentration between five and nine percent, use eight drops of bleach per gallon of clear water to make it drinkable; mix in bleach well and wait at least 30 minutes before consuming. If you have more or less water, or if your bleach has a lower concentration of sodium hypochlorite, you may need to use more or fewer drops of bleach to disinfect the water. The CDC gives instructions on How to Make Water Safe in an Emergency using bleach to purify water and describes other methods for purifying water during a crisis.

What About Rover?

If you have to evacuate your home before a disaster strikes, don’t forget to prepare your pets, whether they have scales or fur or feathers. Before you evacuate, make sure you’re heading somewhere that accommodates pets; some shelters and hotels will not house pets unless the pet is a registered service animal. If you stay with family or friends, alert them in advance that your pet will be coming with you.

This list is geared toward household pets, such as cats, dogs, birds, small reptiles, and small mammals that are, for the most part, relatively easy to transport in a vehicle. It is not exhaustive. If you have outdoor animals, such as horses, cows, sheep, or goats, or animals that have specific environmental needs, like fish, please consult your veterinarian regarding the necessary items to take in case of an emergency. You should also consult your veterinarian regarding any specific medical needs your pet has, such as dietary restrictions or a specific medication regimen.

As you prepare to evacuate, or even shelter in place, don’t forget to bring or stock up on the following items for your pets:

  • Food - Even if your pet eats a brand of food found on most grocery store shelves, there is no guarantee that the food will be in stock near the place you stay, or that you will be able to leave your house to get more. If your pet eats a prescription-based food, make sure to contact your veterinarian about obtaining extra food and what to do in the event it runs out.  
  • Dishes for food and water 
  • Treats
  • Leash or harness and collar - Put your pet’s collar on before you leave in case you are separated from your pet. Make sure the contact information on your pet’s ID tag and their microchip, if they have one, is up to date. If your pet is a service animal, be sure to bring their on-duty harness and any necessary documentation of their status. 
  • Vaccination records - If your pet needs medical treatment before you are able to return to your regular veterinarian, you will likely have to prove your pet is vaccinated against certain diseases, such as rabies, before receiving treatment. 
  • Pet bed and blankets 
  • Carrier, crate, or enclosure 
  • Toys 
  • Waste disposal bags 
  • Litter and litter box 
  • If you have a reptile, a heat lamp and extra bulbs
  • Extra bedding material for pets living in a tank 
  • Brushes and other necessary grooming supplies 
  • Pictures of you and your pet, in case you get separated
  • Any necessary medications, including a copy of the prescription - Depending on the situation, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about obtaining extra medication before you leave. 

Learn More

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) – Learn more about earthquakes and volcanoes, and explore interactive maps!

Ready.gov – extensive information on different disasters, plus resources for making emergency plans and building disaster kits