The top disasters of 2024 included catastrophic floods in Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul) and Europe (Spain), devastating wildfires in Chile, major hurricanes in the U.S. (Helene, Milton), a deadly earthquake in Japan (Noto Peninsula), and severe landslides in Papua New Guinea and Ethiopia, resulting in significant loss of life and billions in damages, marking a year with extreme weather events globally.
Here are some of the most impactful disasters:
- Brazil Floods (Rio Grande do Sul): Torrential rains in April/May caused unprecedented flooding, impacting millions and causing massive damage, exacerbated by El Niño.
- Hurricane Helene (U.S.): A Category 4 hurricane that caused extensive damage, primarily in Florida and the Southeast U.S..
- Hurricane Milton (U.S.): A major Category 3 hurricane hitting Florida, adding to the year’s significant hurricane impact.
- Typhoon Yagi & Cyclone Remal (Asia): These cyclones brought deadly winds and rains to Southeast Asia, affecting millions, with Yagi causing widespread destruction.
- Chile Wildfires: Raging fires, particularly in February, led to numerous fatalities, with over 130 deaths reported.
- Papua New Guinea Landslide: A massive landslide in Enga Province buried villages and killed hundreds, possibly over 670, in May.
- Japan Earthquake (Noto Peninsula): A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake on New Year’s Day triggered tsunamis and widespread destruction.
- Spain Floods: Severe flooding in the southern Iberian Peninsula caused significant loss of life and damage.
- Ethiopia Landslides: Torrential rains caused deadly landslides in July, devastating communities in the Gofa Zone.
These events highlight a year of intense, costly, and deadly natural disasters worldwide, with numerous billion-dollar weather events impacting the U.S. alone.
In 2024, natural disasters cost the world roughly $320-$417 billion in economic losses, with the U.S. alone experiencing about $182.7 billion from 27 billion-dollar events, led by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, making it the fourth costliest year for the U.S. on record, driven by severe weather like tropical cyclones and convective storms. Globally, 2024 ranked as the second-most active year for billion-dollar disasters, following 2023, highlighting a significant rise in costly extreme weather.
