WASHINGTON – The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) of NOAA has announced plans to retire a database that tracks major natural disasters in the United States. This archive, which covers weather-related catastrophes from 1980 to 2024 such as wildfires, hailstorms, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, winter storms, and droughts, is set to be discontinued due to a shift in government priorities. Although data from 1980 to 2024 will remain accessible, there will be no further updates beyond last year. The public can provide feedback on this decision by emailing ncei.orders@noaa.gov.
Since 1980, the U.S. has faced 403 billion-dollar disasters, resulting in nearly 17,000 fatalities and over $2.9 trillion in damages. In 2024, the country experienced 27 disasters causing at least $1 billion in losses, making it the second-highest year for billion-dollar disasters after 2023. These disasters included hurricanes Beryl, Helene, and Milton, winter storms in the Northwest and mid-South, wildfires in New Mexico, and tornado outbreaks in the heartland. The NCEI notes that the number and cost of disasters are on the rise in the U.S., attributing this trend to increased property exposure, changes in building practices, and shifts in extreme weather patterns.
