Illinois Summary

From 1980–2024 (as of May 8, 2024), there have been 119 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect Illinois. These events included 12 drought events, 7 flooding events, 2 freeze events, 85 severe storm events, 1 tropical cyclone event, and 12 winter storm events. The 1980–2023 annual average is 2.6 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2019–2023) is 6.2 events (CPI-adjusted).

Billion-dollar events to affect Illinois from 1980 to 2024* (CPI-AUnadjusted)
Disaster TypeEventsEvents/​YearPercent FrequencyTotal CostsPercent of Total Costs
Drought120.310.1%$10.0B-$20.0B30.6%
Flooding70.25.9%$10.0B-$20.0B17.6%
Freeze20.01.7%$250M-$500M0.8%
Severe Storm851.971.4%$20.0B-$50.0B44.7%
Tropical Cyclone10.00.8%$1.0B-$2.0B1.8%
Wildfire----------
Winter Storm120.310.1%$2.0B-$5.0B4.5%
All Disasters1192.6100.0%$50.0B-$100.0B100.0%
Drought120.312.1%$5.0B-$10.0B27.3%
Flooding70.27.1%$5.0B-$10.0B15.8%
Freeze20.02.0%$100M-$250M0.6%
Severe Storm691.569.7%$10.0B-$20.0B48.8%
Tropical Cyclone10.01.0%$500M-$1.0B2.1%
Wildfire----------
Winter Storm80.28.1%$1.0B-$2.0B5.3%
All Disasters992.2100.0%$20.0B-$50.0B100.0%
Select Time Period Comparisons of Illinois Billion-Dollar Drought, Flooding, Freeze, Severe Storm, Tropical Cyclone, Wildfire, and Winter Storm Statistics (CPI-AUnadjusted)
Time PeriodBillion-Dollar DisastersEvents/YearCostPercent of Total Cost
1980s (1980-1989)101.0$5.0B-$10.0B12.3%
1990s (1990-1999)121.2$10.0B-$20.0B17.9%
2000s (2000-2009)212.1$5.0B-$10.0B10.8%
2010s (2010-2019)464.6$20.0B-$50.0B39.3%
Last 5 Years (2019-2023)316.2$10.0B-$20.0B23.8%
Last 3 Years (2021-2023)217.0$5.0B-$10.0B13.1%
Last Year (2023)99.0$2.0B-$5.0B8.0%
All Years (1980-2024)*1192.6$50.0B-$100.0B100.0%
1980s (1980-1989)40.4$2.0B-$5.0B6.0%
1990s (1990-1999)80.8$2.0B-$5.0B12.6%
2000s (2000-2009)171.7$2.0B-$5.0B8.0%
2010s (2010-2019)404.0$10.0B-$20.0B44.0%
Last 5 Years (2019-2023)316.2$10.0B-$20.0B34.6%
Last 3 Years (2021-2023)217.0$5.0B-$10.0B20.2%
Last Year (2023)99.0$2.0B-$5.0B12.6%
All Years (1980-2024)*992.2$20.0B-$50.0B100.0%
Billion-Dollar Events to affect Illinois
Event Type Begin
Date
End
Date
Summary CPI-AUnadjusted
Estimated
Cost
(in Billions)
Deaths
Central Tornado Outbreak and Eastern Severe Weather
April 2024
Severe StormApril 1, 2024April 3, 2024A central tornado outbreak produced more than 85 tornadoes across a three-day period from Oklahoma to West Virginia. This outbreak included 19 EF-0, 52 EF-1 and 14 EF-2 tornadoes, which were most concentrated across the Ohio River Valley on April 1-2. These tornadoes and severe weather impacts across several eastern states caused damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and other infrastructure.$1.8 CI3
Central and Southern Severe Weather
March 2024
Severe StormMarch 13, 2024March 15, 2024Damaging hail, tornadoes and high wind from severe storms impact many Central and Southern states. Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri were affected by up to baseball-sized hail damaging homes, vehicles, businesses. Illinois, Indiana and Ohio were impacted by hail, high wind and dozens of tornadoes including a deadly EF-3 striking northwest Ohio.$4.4 CI3
Central and Southern Winter Storm and Cold Wave
January 2024
Winter StormJanuary 14, 2024January 18, 2024A bitterly cold airmass affected numerous central and southern states most including Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Georgia. This long-duration cold wave produced sleet and freezing rain accumulations into the deep south, across much of Mississippi. High winds also pushed wind chills well below zero for many states contributing to dozens of fatalities, many in Tennessee. Damage also occurred to homes, vehicles and businesses from the high winds and frozen precipitation.$1.3 CI41
North Central and Eastern Severe Weather
July 2023
Severe StormJuly 28, 2023July 29, 2023Severe storms caused damage across several North Central and Eastern states. The state most impacted were Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. High wind, severe hail and tornadoes caused damage to many homes, vehicles, businesses and agriculture assets.$1.5 CI2
Northeastern Flooding and North Central Severe Weather
July 2023
FloodingJuly 9, 2023July 15, 2023Severe storms brought devastation and flooding to portions of the Northeast, as areas reported up to eight inches of rain within a 24-hour period. Montpelier, Vermont received a record-breaking 5.28 inches of rain, flooding the city and damaging thousands of homes and businesses. The wide scale flooding in Vermont was similar to the flood impacts from Hurricane Irene in 2011. Early estimates put the flood damage in West Point, New York at more than $100 ($102.0) million. There was also considerable damage to roads, bridges and agriculture across the Northeast. Severe storms also caused high wind and hail impacts across Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.$2.2 CI10
Central Severe Weather
June 2023
Severe StormJune 28, 2023July 2, 2023Severe storms caused damage across numerous Central states. The state most impacted were Missouri, Illinois and Indiana while there were also damage in many surrounding states. The damage to many homes, vehicles, businesses and agriculture assets was largely from high wind and damaging hail but there were also scattered tornado impacts.$2.0 CI3
Central Severe Weather
May 2023
Severe StormMay 6, 2023May 8, 2023Severe weather across numerous central states including Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. There was additional damage in Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina and Texas. Large hail, high winds and torandoes caused widespread impact to many homes, businesses, vehicles, farms and other infrastructure.$2.2 CI1
Central Severe Weather
April 2023
Severe StormApril 19, 2023April 20, 2023Severe hail, scattered tornadoes and high winds caused damage across numerous central states. Central Oklahoma was impacted by a cluster of tornadoes. Texas, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin was impacted by hail and high wind damage from severe storms.$3.0 CI1
Central and Southern Severe Weather
April 2023
Severe StormApril 15, 2023April 15, 2023Several central and southern states including Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Texas, Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle were impacted by hail, tornadoes and high winds. These storms caused damage to many homes, vehicles and businesses.$1.4 CI0
Central and Eastern Severe Weather
April 2023
Severe StormApril 4, 2023April 6, 2023Severe storms produced large hail, high winds and more than 35 tornadoes across many central and southern states. The states most affected were Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Michigan where there was considerable damage to homes, businesses, agriculture, vehicles and other infrastructure.$2.9 CI5
Central Tornado Outbreak and Eastern Severe Weather
March 2023
Severe StormMarch 31, 2023April 1, 2023A historic tornado outbreak across numerous central states caused widespread damage from at least 145 tornadoes. States most impacted were Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, Tennessee and Pennsylvania where there was severe damage to homes, businesses, vehicles, agriculture and other infrastructure.$5.8 CI33
North Central and Eastern Severe Weather
July 2022
Severe StormJuly 22, 2022July 24, 2022Severe weather with high winds and 19 tornadoes impact numerous states including North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and New York. Many homes, businesses, vehicles, agriculture and other infrastructure were damaged.$1.4 CI1
Central Derecho
June 2022
Severe StormJune 13, 2022June 13, 2022A powerful derecho carved a path a high wind damage across several states with the impacts focused in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Thousands of trees were downed from the high winds causing damage to many homes, businesses, vehicles, power lines and other infrastructure. There was also considerable hail damage across southern Wisconsin.$3.4 CI1
Southern Severe Weather
April 2022
Severe StormApril 11, 2022April 13, 2022Severe weather including hundreds of damaging wind reports and dozens of tornadoes occurred across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee and Kentucky. On April 11, tornadoes and damaging hail was focused across central Arkansas causing damage to homes, vehicles, outbuildings and farms and vegetation. April 12 and 13 produced widespread high wind reports and dozens of tornadoes across central Mississippi, northeast Arkansas and west-central Kentucky. These tornadoes produced damage to homes, businesses, farms, outbuildings and other infrastructure. There was also considerable hail damage across Wisconsin and Minnesota.$2.9 CI1
Southern Tornado Outbreak
March 2022
Severe StormMarch 30, 2022March 30, 2022An outbreak of 83 tornadoes was focused across the Gulf Coast states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.$1.4 CI2
Midwest Derecho and Tornado Outbreak
December 2021
Severe StormDecember 15, 2021December 15, 2021A rare, record-breaking December derecho and tornado outbreak caused widespread damage that was focused across Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. There were many reports of hurricane-force thunderstorm wind gusts and more than 50 tornadoes causing widespread damage to homes, vehicles, businesses and infrastructure. This was the first December derecho on record to occur within the United States. This event also produced the first December tornado on record in Minnesota since 1950, with 17 tornadoes reported across southeast Minnesota.$2.0 CI1
Southeast, Central Tornado Outbreak
December 2021
Severe StormDecember 10, 2021December 10, 2021Historic December tornado outbreak across several southeast and central states caused devastating damage across many towns and cities. This outbreak produced two long-tracked EF-4 tornadoes across Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky. The longest tornado track was nearly 166 miles across Kentucky and a small portion of Tennessee. This was the longest-tracked tornado on record in Kentucky and was a U.S. record tornado track length for the month of December. There were over 800 total miles of tornado path length on December 10. The peak intensity from this outbreak was EF-4 rated wind speeds of 190 mph in Mayfield, Kentucky. This day was also the deadliest December tornado outbreak recorded in the United States surpassing the Vicksburg, Mississippi tornado of December 5, 1953, which caused 38 fatalities.$4.4 CI93
North Central Severe Weather
August 2021
Severe StormAugust 10, 2021August 13, 2021Widespread high wind impacts across numerous North Central states including Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and Missouri. This multi-day event caused damage to infrastructure, homes, vehicles and businesses.$1.5 CI2
Central Severe Storms
June 2021
Severe StormJune 24, 2021June 26, 2021A combination of thunderstorm high winds, hail and tornadoes affected numerous Central states. The states most affected included Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas and Texas with damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and agriculture.$1.4 CI0
Ohio Valley Hail Storms
June 2021
Severe StormJune 17, 2021June 18, 2021Damaging hail storm and high wind impacts across several states including Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri. The hail impacts were most severe in southeastern Minnesota, southern Iowa, southeastern Indiana and southwestern Ohio, with damage to many homes, vehicles and businesses.$2.0 CI0
Eastern Severe Weather
March 2021
Severe StormMarch 27, 2021March 28, 2021Severe weather producing hail, high wind and more than two dozen tornadoes impacted numerous states including Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Tennessee was also affected with significant flooding in Nashville and surrounding areas that damaged businesses, homes and vehicles. There were also many high wind damage reports across Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey.$1.6 CI8
Central Severe Weather - Derecho
August 2020
Severe StormAugust 10, 2020August 10, 2020A powerful derecho traveled from southeast South Dakota to Ohio, a path of 770 miles in 14 hours producing widespread winds greater than 100 mph. The states most affected included Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio. This derecho caused widespread damage to millions of acres of corn and soybean crops across central Iowa. There was also severe damage to homes, businesses and vehicles particularly in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In addition, there were 15 tornadoes across northeastern Illinois several affecting the Chicago metropolitan area. This is the third severe weather event (since 1980) with inflation-adjusted costs over $10.0 ($12.1) billion joining the late-April and May 2011 tornado outbreaks across the Southeastern and Central states, respectively.$13.3 CI4
Central Severe Weather
July 2020
Severe StormJuly 10, 2020July 11, 2020Central severe weather producing hundreds of severe hail and high wind reports across numerous states including Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. These storms caused impacts to many homes, vehicles and businesses.$1.4 CI0
South, Central and Eastern Severe Weather
May 2020
Severe StormMay 20, 2020May 23, 2020A combination of thunderstorm high winds, hail and tornadoes affected numerous Southern, Central and Eastern states. The states most affected included Texas, Illinois and North Carolina with damage to homes, businesses and vehicles. Oklahoma, Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.$1.9 CI2
North Central and Ohio Valley Hail Storms and Severe Weather
April 2020
Severe StormApril 7, 2020April 8, 2020Numerous hail storms caused widespread damage across many North Central and Ohio Valley states including Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri. More than 20 tornadoes were also reorted across southern Indiana and Ohio. There was additional widespread high wind damage to homes, vehicles and businesses in many other surrounding states.$3.5 CI0
Midwest and Ohio Valley Severe Weather
March 2020
Severe StormMarch 27, 2020March 28, 2020Severe weather caused damage across many Midwest and Ohio Valley states including Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The states most affected from a combination of high winds and hail were Missouri, Ohio and Arkansas. There were also two dozen tornadoes across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Arkansas causing additional damage.$3.1 CI0
Southeast Tornadoes and Northern Storms and Flooding
January 2020
Severe StormJanuary 10, 2020January 12, 2020More than 80 tornadoes and severe storms caused damage across many southeastern states (AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI). Storms and severe flooding also impacted northern states including Michigan, Wisconsin and New York. Significant damage occurred along the shoreline of Lake Michigan to roads, the foundation of homes and to Port Milwaukee. These powerful waves were generated by high winds and a lack of seasonal ice cover.$1.4 CI10
Mississippi River, Midwest and Southern Flooding
July 2019
FloodingMarch 15, 2019July 31, 2019Additional major flooding impacted many Southern Plains states significantly affecting agriculture, roads, bridges, levees, dams and other assets across many cities and towns. The states most affected were Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Very high water levels also disrupted barge traffic along the Mississippi River, which negatively impacted a variety of dependent industries. Indiana and Ohio were also affected by persistent heavy rainfall that flooded farmland, which prevented and reduced crop planting by millions of acres.$7.6 CI4
Rockies, Central and Northeast Tornadoes and Severe Weather
May 2019
Severe StormMay 26, 2019May 29, 2019A four-day tornado outbreak impacts many states across the Rockies, Central and Northeast (CO, WY, NE, KS, OK, MO, IA, IL, IN, OH, PA and NJ). This outbreak produced 190 tornadoes in addition to hundreds of reports of damaging hail and straight-line thunderstorm winds. Of particular note was an EF-4 tornado that produced heavy damage near the city of Dayton, Ohio on May 27.$5.6 CI3
Central Severe Weather
May 2019
Severe StormMay 16, 2019May 18, 2019Central severe storms across the Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Texas damaged many homes, businesses and vehicles.$1.2 CI0
Southeast, Ohio Valley and Northeast Severe Weather
February 2019
Severe StormFebruary 23, 2019February 25, 2019Tornadoes, severe weather and flooding in the south (MS, AL, TN) and high-wind damage across many Ohio Valley (IL, IN, OH) and Northeastern states (CT, MD, MA, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV). This storm system produced heavy rain that caused major flooding along parts of the Ohio, Mississippi and Tennessee rivers.$1.5 CI2
Central and Eastern Tornadoes and Severe Weather
July 2018
Severe StormJuly 19, 2018July 22, 2018At least 41 tornadoes and high wind damage from thunderstorms impact numerous Central and Eastern states (MO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, AL, AR, GA, TN, NC, SC, VA, MD, PA) over a multi-day event. The tornado damage was most severe across Iowa.$2.0 CI0
Central and Eastern Severe Weather
May 2018
Severe StormMay 13, 2018May 15, 2018Severe storm damage across many Central states including TX, KS, CO, OK, MO, IL, IN, IA and OH. This was followed by a derecho event across the Northeastern states of MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV, MA and CT that caused widespread high wind damage. Also, there were one dozen tornadoes reported across PA, NY and CT causing further damage.$1.7 CI5
Central and Northeast Severe Weather
May 2018
Severe StormMay 1, 2018May 4, 2018Numerous central states (KS, NE, OK, TX, NM, MO, IA, IL, IN, OH, WI) were impacted by large hail and tornadoes. Several northeastern states including NY, PA and VT were also impacted by high wind damage from severe storms.$1.7 CI0
Midwest Severe Weather
June 2017
Severe StormJune 27, 2017June 29, 2017Severe hail and high wind damage impacting Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa. More than one dozen tornadoes touched down across parts of Iowa, in addition to other storm damage.$1.8 CI0
Midwest Severe Weather
June 2017
Severe StormJune 12, 2017June 16, 2017Severe hail, high winds and numerous tornadoes impact many states over several days including WY, TX, NE, KS, MO, IA, IL, PA, VA, NY.$1.9 CI0
North Central Severe Weather and Tornadoes
May 2017
Severe StormMay 15, 2017May 18, 2017Severe weather and tornadoes cause impacts across numerous north central states. The states most impacted were Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.$1.2* CI1
Missouri and Arkansas Flooding and Central Severe Weather
May 2017
FloodingApril 25, 2017May 7, 2017A period of heavy rainfall up to 15 inches over a multi-state region in the Midwest caused historic levels of flooding along many rivers. The flooding was most severe in Missouri, Arkansas and southern Illinois where levees were breached and towns were flooded. There was widespread damage to homes, businesses, infrastructure and agriculture. Severe storms also caused additional impacts during the flooding event across a number of central and southern states.$2.1 CI20
Midwest Tornado Outbreak
March 2017
Severe StormMarch 6, 2017March 8, 2017Tornado outbreak and wind damage across many Midwestern states (AR, IA, IL, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, NY, OH, WI). Missouri and Illinois were impacted by numerous tornadoes while Michigan and New York were affected by destructive, straight-line winds following the storm system. Nearly one million customers lost power in Michigan alone due to sustained high winds, which affected several states from Illinois to New York.$2.8 CI2
Central/Southeast Tornado Outbreak
March 2017
Severe StormFebruary 28, 2017March 1, 2017Over 70 tornadoes developed during a widespread outbreak across many central and southern states causing significant damage. There was also widespread straight-line wind and hail damage. This was the second largest tornado outbreak to occur early in 2017.$2.3 CI6
West Virginia Flooding and Ohio Valley Tornadoes
June 2016
FloodingJune 22, 2016June 24, 2016Torrential rainfall caused destructive flooding through many West Virginia towns, damaging thousands of homes and businesses and causing considerable loss of life. Over 1,500 roads and bridges were damaged or destroyed making the impact on infrastructure comparable to the historic 2013 Colorado flood. The storm system also produced numerous tornadoes causing damage across several Ohio Valley states.$1.3 CI23
Plains Tornadoes and Central Severe Weather
May 2016
Severe StormMay 8, 2016May 11, 2016Tornadoes and severe storms cause widespread damage across the Plains and Central states (NE, MO, TX, OK, KS, CO, IL, KY, TN) over a multi-day period. The damage from tornadoes and high wind was most costly in Nebraska and Missouri.$2.2 CI2
South/Southeast Tornadoes
April 2016
Severe StormApril 26, 2016May 2, 2016Large outbreak of tornadoes affects numerous states across the South and Southeast. Additional damage also from large hail and straight-line wind during the multi-day thunderstorm event.$3.1 CI6
Southeast and Eastern Tornadoes
February 2016
Severe StormFebruary 22, 2016February 24, 2016Early outbreak of tornadoes and severe weather across many southern and eastern states including (AL, CT, FL, GA, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TX, VA). There were at least 50 confirmed tornadoes causing widespread damage.$1.4 CI10
Texas Tornadoes and Midwest Flooding
December 2015
Severe StormDecember 26, 2015December 29, 2015A powerful storm system packing unseasonably strong tornadoes caused widespread destruction in the Dallas metropolitan region, damaging well over 1,000 homes and businesses. This same potent system also produced intense rainfall over several Midwestern states triggering historic flooding that has approached or broken records at river gauges in several states (MO, IL, AR, TN, MS, LA). The flooding has overtopped levees and caused damage in numerous areas. This historic storm also produced high wind, snow and ice impacts from New Mexico through the Midwest and into New England. Overall, the storm caused at least 50 deaths from the combined impact of tornadoes, flooding and winter weather.$2.6 CI50
Central and Northeast Severe Weather
June 2015
Severe StormJune 21, 2015June 25, 2015Severe storms across numerous Central and Northeast states (CO, CT, IA, IL, MD, MI, NJ, NY, PA, SD, VA, WI) with widespread hail and high wind damage.$1.5 CI1
Midwest/Ohio Valley Severe Weather
April 2015
Severe StormApril 7, 2015April 9, 2015Severe storms across the Midwest and Ohio Valley including the states (AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, WI, WV). Large hail and high winds created the most damage across Missouri and Illinois.$2.1 CI2
Central and Eastern Winter storm, Cold Wave
February 2015
Winter StormFebruary 14, 2015February 20, 2015A large winter storm and associated cold wave impacted many central, eastern and northeastern states (CT, DE, GA, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA). The city of Boston was particularly impacted as feet of snow continued to accumulate causing load-stress on buildings and clogging transportation corridors. Total, direct losses in Massachusetts alone exceed $1.0 ($1.3) billion for this event, with considerable damage in many other states.$3.9 CI30
Rockies/Midwest/Eastern Severe Weather
May 2014
Severe StormMay 18, 2014May 23, 2014Severe storms across the Rockies, Midwest and Eastern states (CO, MT, IA, IL, IN, OH, SC, VA, PA, DE, NY) with the most costly damage in Colorado, Illinois and Pennsylvania.$4.9 CI0
Center Severe Weather
May 2014
Severe StormMay 10, 2014May 14, 2014Severe weather including damaging hail, high winds and more than 50 tornadoes impacted Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia. These impacts caused damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and other infrastructure.$1.1* CI0
Central Severe Weather
April 2014
Severe StormApril 12, 2014April 13, 2014Severe weather produced hail and high wind damage across several central states including Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin and Texas. The damage was most focused in Illinois and Michigan, as storms caused impacts to many homes, vehicles and businesses.$1.2* CI0
Plains Severe Weather
April 2014
Severe StormApril 2, 2014April 3, 2014Severe storms across the Plains states (IL, KS, MO, TX) causing considerable hail and wind damage in Texas.$1.9 CI0
Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Winter Storm
January 2014
Winter StormJanuary 5, 2014January 8, 2014Winter storm caused widespread damage across numerous Midwest, Southeast and Northeastern states (AL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA).$2.9 CI16
Ohio Valley Tornadoes
November 2013
Severe StormNovember 17, 2013November 17, 2013Late-season outbreak of tornadoes and severe weather over the Ohio Valley (IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, OH) with 70 confirmed tornadoes. Most severe impacts occurred across Illinois and Indiana.$1.5 CI8
Midwest/Plains/Northeast Tornadoes
May 2013
Severe StormMay 27, 2013May 31, 2013Outbreak of tornadoes and severe weather over the Midwest, Plains and Northeast (IL, IN, KS, MO, NY, OK, TX) with 92 confirmed tornadoes including the deadly tornado that struck El Reno, OK. There was also significant damage resulting from hail and straight-line wind.$2.4 CI10
Midwest/Plains/East Tornadoes
May 2013
Severe StormMay 18, 2013May 22, 2013Outbreak of tornadoes and severe weather over the Midwest, Plains and Eastern states (GA, IA, IL, KS, MO, NY, OK, TX) with 59 confirmed tornadoes including the deadly tornado that impacted Moore, OK. Many destructive tornadoes remained on the ground for an extended time.$3.2 CI27
Illinois Flooding and Severe Weather
April 2013
FloodingApril 16, 2013April 19, 2013A slow-moving storm system created rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches across northern and central Illinois including the Chicago metro. This resulted in damage to many homes and businesses. There was also severe weather damage from wind and hail across Indiana and Missouri.$1.4 CI4
U.S. Drought/Heat Wave
2012
DroughtJanuary 1, 2012December 31, 2012The 2012 drought is the most extensive drought to affect the U.S. since the 1930s. Moderate to extreme drought conditions affected more than half the country for a majority of 2012. The following states were affected: CA, NV, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, TX, ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, AR, MO, IA, MN, IL, IN, GA. Costly drought impacts occurred across the central agriculture states resulting in widespread harvest failure for corn, sorghum and soybean crops, among others. The associated summer heat wave also caused 123 direct deaths, but an estimate of the excess mortality due to heat stress is still unknown.$41.4 CI123
Plains/East/Northeast Derecho
June-July 2012
Severe StormJune 29, 2012July 2, 2012Sustained outbreak of thunderstorms/high winds from a strong derecho event over the central, eastern, and northeastern states (IL, IN, KY, OH, WV, SC, NC, VA, MD, DC, NJ).$3.9 CI28
Midwest/Ohio Valley Severe Weather
April-May 2012
Severe StormApril 28, 2012May 1, 2012Severe weather over the midwest and Ohio Valley (TX, OK, KS, MO, IL, IN, KY) with 38 confirmed tornadoes. Considerable damage resulting from hail.$4.5 CI1
Southern Plains/Southwest Drought and Heat Wave
Spring-Summer 2011
DroughtMarch 1, 2011August 31, 2011Drought and heat wave conditions created major impacts across Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, southern Kansas, and western Louisiana. In Texas and Oklahoma, a majority of range and pastures were classified in "very poor" condition for much of the 2011 crop growing season.$17.0 CI95
Rockies and Midwest Derecho
July 10-11, 2011
Severe StormJuly 10, 2011July 11, 2011A derecho produced a wide swatch of high wind damage beginning east of the Rockies and across the central plains (CO, IA, IL, MI, MN, OH).$1.7 CI2
North Central Severe Weather
July 1, 2011
Severe StormJuly 1, 2011July 1, 2011Severe weather causes damage across several north central states. The regions most impacted were southern Minnesota, western Wisconsin and northern Illinois.$1.2* CI0
Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes and Severe Weather
June 2011
Severe StormJune 18, 2011June 22, 2011Outbreak of tornadoes over central states (OK, TX, KS, NE, MO, IA, IL) with an estimated 81 tornadoes. Additional wind and hail damage across the Southeast (TN, GA, NC, SC).$2.1 CI3
Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes
May 2011
Severe StormMay 22, 2011May 27, 2011Outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern states (MO, TX, OK, KS, AR, GA, TN, VA, KY, IN, IL, OH, WI, MN, PA) with an estimated 180 tornadoes. Notably, an EF-5 tornado struck Joplin, MO resulting in at least 160 deaths, making it the deadliest single tornado to strike the U.S. since modern tornado record keeping began in 1950.$12.6 CI177
Southeast/Ohio Valley/Midwest Tornadoes
April 2011
Severe StormApril 25, 2011April 28, 2011Outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern states (AL, AR, LA, MS, GA, TN, VA, KY, IL, MO, OH, TX, OK) with an estimated 343 tornadoes. The deadliest tornado of the outbreak, an EF-5, hit northern Alabama, killing 78 people. Several major metropolitan areas were directly impacted by strong tornadoes including Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Huntsville in Alabama and Chattanooga, Tennessee, causing the estimated damage costs to soar.$14.2 CI321
Ohio Valley Derecho and Southern Tornadoes
April 2011
Severe StormApril 19, 2011April 20, 2011Dozens of tornadoes and a derecho affect numerous states (AR, IL, IN, KY, MO, OH, TN, TX) across the Ohio Valley and South.$1.4 CI0
Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes and Derecho
April 2011
Severe StormApril 4, 2011April 5, 2011Outbreak of tornadoes and derecho over central and southern states (KS, MO, IA, IL, WI, KY, GA, TN, NC, SC) with an estimated 46 tornadoes.$3.9 CI9
Groundhog Day Blizzard
February 2011
Winter StormFebruary 1, 2011February 3, 2011A large winter storm impacted many central, eastern and northeastern states. The city of Chicago was brought to a virtual standstill as between 1 and 2 feet of snow fell over the area.$2.5 CI36
Midwest/Northeast Severe Storms and Flooding
July 2010
Severe StormJuly 20, 2010July 23, 2010Severe storms and flooding affect the states IA, IL, MD, NY, PA, WI across the Midwest and Northeast.$1.4* CI0
Rockies/Central/East Severe Weather
June 2010
Severe StormJune 10, 2010June 15, 2010Severe storms cause high wind and hail damage across numerous states including CO, NM, KS, OK, IL, IN, GA, SC and NC.$1.3* CI2
Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Tornadoes and Severe Weather
May 2010
Severe StormMay 10, 2010May 12, 2010An outbreak of tornadoes, hail, and severe thunderstorms occurred across Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas in mid-May. Oklahoma was hardest hit with > $1.5 ($2.1) billion in damages.$4.8 CI3
Central Derecho and Tornadoes
May 2009
Severe StormMay 7, 2009May 9, 2009More than 50 tornadoes and large hail from severe storms caused damage across many southeastern states (IL, KS, KY, MO, TN, TX).$1.3* CI7
Hurricane Ike
September 2008
Tropical CycloneSeptember 12, 2008September 14, 2008Category 2 hurricane makes landfall in Texas, as the largest (in size) Atlantic hurricane on record, causing considerable storm surge in coastal TX and significant wind and flooding damage in TX, LA, AR, TN, IL, IN, KY, MO, OH, MI and PA. Severe gasoline shortages occurred in the southeast U.S. due to damaged oil platforms, storage tanks, pipelines and off-line refineries.$42.9 CI112
Midwest Flooding
Summer 2008
FloodingApril 1, 2008June 30, 2008Heavy rain and flooding caused significant agricultural loss and property damage in IA, IL, IN, MO, MN, NE, and WI with IA being hardest hit with widespread rainfall totals ranging from 4 to over 16 inches.$14.7 CI24
Midwest/Mid-Atlantic Severe Weather
June 2008
Severe StormJune 6, 2008June 12, 2008An outbreak of tornadoes and thunderstorms over the Midwest/Mid-Atlantic states (IA, IL, IN, KS, NE, MI, MN, MO, OK, WI, MD, VA, WV).$2.3 CI18
Midwest Tornadoes and Severe Weather
May 2008
Severe StormMay 22, 2008May 27, 2008Outbreak of tornadoes over the Midwest/Ohio Valley regions (IL, IN, IA, KS, MN, NE, OK, WY, CO) with 235 tornadoes confirmed.$4.4 CI13
Spring Freeze
April 2007
FreezeApril 4, 2007April 10, 2007Widespread severe freeze over much of the east and midwest (AL, AR, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, MS, NC, NE, OH, OK, SC, TN, VA, WV), causing significant losses in fruit crops, field crops (especially wheat), and the ornamental industry. Temperatures in the teens/20s accompanied by rather high winds nullified typical crop-protection systems.$3.1 CI0
Central Severe Weather
October 2006
Severe StormOctober 2, 2006October 5, 2006Severe storms cause high wind and hail damage across numerous states including OH, IL, IN, MI, MN and WI.$1.4* CI1
North Central Severe Weather and Tornadoes
August 2006
Severe StormAugust 23, 2006August 24, 2006Severe weather and tornadoes cause impacts across several north central states including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois.$1.2* CI1
Midwest Tornadoes
April 2006
Severe StormApril 13, 2006April 16, 2006Tornadoes and severe weather cause significant damage in the states of IA, IL, IN, and WI. The state of Indiana was most affected with over one billion dollars in damage.$3.8 CI27
Severe Storms and Tornadoes
March 2006
Severe StormMarch 8, 2006March 13, 2006Outbreak of tornadoes over portions of the midwest and south during a week-long period-affecting the states of AL, AR, KY, MS, TN, TX, IN, KS, MO, and OK.$2.1 CI10
Severe Storms, Hail, Tornadoes
May 2004
Severe StormMay 21, 2004May 27, 2004Severe storms including tornadoes and hail cause damage across the Midwest, South, Southeast and Northeast regions. The states impacted include IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, NC, NE, NY, OK, OH and WI.$1.7 CI4
Southern Derecho and Eastern Severe Weather
July 2003
Severe StormJuly 21, 2003July 23, 2003Derecho across several southern states with the most focused damage across the Memphis, Tennessee metro area. Severe storms impact states across the South, Southeast, Midwest and Northeast regions including AR, AL, MS, GA, FL, SC, TN, KY, MI, NY, OH, PA and VT.$1.7 CI7
Midwest/Plains Severe Weather
July 2003
Severe StormJuly 4, 2003July 9, 2003Severe storms affect the states IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, VA, WV across the Midwest and Plains.$1.5* CI7
Severe Storms/Tornadoes
May 2003
Severe StormMay 3, 2003May 10, 2003Numerous tornadoes over the midwest, Mississippi valley, OH/TN valleys, and portions of the southeast, with a modern record one-week total of approximately 400 tornadoes reported$7.0 CI51
Severe Storms/Hail
April 2003
Severe StormApril 4, 2003April 7, 2003Severe storms and large hail over the southern plains and lower MS valley, with Texas hardest hit, and much of the monetary losses due to hail.$3.4 CI3
U.S. Drought
Spring-Fall 2002
DroughtMarch 1, 2002November 30, 2002Moderate to extreme drought over large portions of more than 30 states, including the western states, the Great Plains, and much of the eastern U.S.$15.9 CI0
Severe Storms and Tornadoes
April 2002
Severe StormApril 27, 2002April 28, 2002Numerous tornadoes and widespread hail damage over the Central and Eastern states including NC, GA, VA, TX, AR, MO, MS, TN, IL, IN, KY, PA, MD, NY, OH, WV, and KS.$3.6 CI7
Midwest/Ohio Valley Hail and Tornadoes
April 2001
Severe StormApril 6, 2001April 11, 2001Storms, tornadoes, and hail in the states of TX, OK, KS, NE, IA, MO, IL, IN, WI, MI, OH, KY, WV, and PA, over a 6-day period.$5.5 CI3
Oklahoma and Kansas Tornadoes
May 1999
Severe StormMay 3, 1999May 6, 1999Outbreak of F4-F5 tornadoes hit the states of Oklahoma and Kansas, along with Texas and Tennessee, Oklahoma City area hardest hit.$3.8 CI55
Central and Eastern Winter Storm
Mid-January 1999
Winter StormJanuary 13, 1999January 16, 1999Winter storm affecting the Central and Eastern states including IL, IN, OH, MI, WV, VA, MD, PA, NJ, NY, MA, CT, VT, NH and ME.$1.7* CI0
Central and Eastern Winter Storm
January 1999
Winter StormJanuary 1, 1999January 4, 1999South, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast affected by damaging winter storm$2.0 CI25
Central and Eastern Severe Storms and Flooding
June 1998
Severe StormJune 20, 1998June 24, 1998Severe storms and flooding impact numerous Central and Eastern states. In particular, these storms and floods affected many residences and businesses throughout north-central and eastern Ohio. More than 7,000 homes were affected and more than 1,000 structures were completely destroyed or declared uninhabitable.$1.7* CI12
Central, Southern and Northeast Drought/Heat Wave
September 1995
DroughtJuly 1, 1995September 30, 1995Historic mid-July heat wave and urban heat island amplification caused hundreds of deaths across several major cities including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia. Following the heat wave was hot, dry weather in July and August 1995 that affected crops in numerous states, as crops had not rooted well due to late planting from previous wet soils. This left crops vulnerable to a flash drought during a key portion of the growing season.$2.0 CI872
South Plains Severe Weather
May 1995
Severe StormMay 5, 1995May 7, 1995Torrential rains, hail, and tornadoes across Texas-Oklahoma and southeast Louisiana-southern Mississippi, with Dallas and New Orleans areas (10-25 inch rains in 5 days) hardest hit.$11.2 CI32
Midwest/Plains Tornadoes
April 1994
Severe StormApril 25, 1994April 27, 1994Tornadoes and severe storms cause damage in states across the South, Southeast and Midwest. The states impacted include TX, OK, AR, CO, KS, NE, IA, SD, IL, IN, MN and MO.$2.1 CI3
Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1994
Winter StormJanuary 17, 1994January 20, 1994Winter storm affects the Southeast and Northeast regions. The states impacted include CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT and WV.$2.2 CI70
Midwest Flooding
Summer 1993
FloodingJune 27, 1993August 15, 1993Severe, widespread flooding in central U.S. due to persistent heavy rains and thunderstorms. There was extensive damage to agriculture, infrastructure, homes and businesses in many areas across several states. Many river stations also established new records for historical flood heights. This is the most costly non-tropical, inland flood event to affect the United States on record.$45.9 CI48
Northern Plains and Ohio Valley Severe Weather
July 1993
Severe StormJuly 8, 1993July 10, 1993Severe storms caused high wind, hail and tornado damage across many Northern/Central Plains (NE, KS, MO, IA, MN, ND) and Ohio Valley states (IL, IN).$1.4* CI1
Severe Storms, Tornadoes
March 1991
Severe StormMarch 26, 1991March 29, 1991Severe storms hit the Midwest, Southeast, Northeast. The states impacted include KS, IL, MI, IN, MS, TN, KY, OH, AL, PA, NY, GA, SC and NC.$1.5* CI0
Winter Storm, Cold Wave
December 1989
Winter StormDecember 21, 1989December 26, 1989Winter storm and deep cold impacts the Northeast, South and Southeast. The states impacted include AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MO, MS, NC, NH, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT and WV.$1.7* CI100
Northern Plains Drought
Summer-Fall 1989
DroughtJune 1, 1989November 30, 1989Severe summer drought over much of the northern plains with significant losses to agriculture. The states impacted include CO, IA, IL, KS, MO, ND, NE, NV, SD, TX and UT.$7.7 CI0
U.S. Drought/Heat Wave
Summer 1988
DroughtJune 1, 1988August 31, 19881988 drought across a large portion of the U.S. with very severe losses to agriculture and related industries. Combined direct and indirect deaths (i.e., excess mortality) due to heat stress estimated at 5,000.$54.0 CI454
Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1985
Winter StormJanuary 19, 1985January 22, 1985Extreme cold and winter storms in the Southeast, South, Southwest, Northeast, Midwest, and North$2.5* CI150
Tornadoes, Severe Storms, Floods
Spring 1984
Severe StormMarch 27, 1984April 7, 1984States in the Southeast and Northeast regions are impacted by tornadoes, severe storms, and flooding. The states impacted include GA, FL, SC, NC, VA, MD, DE, NJ, NY, PA, CT, MA and RI.$1.8* CI80
Severe Storms
June 1982
Severe StormMay 31, 1982June 10, 1982Severe storms cause damage across the South, Southeast and Central regions. The states impacted include AR, IL, KY, IN, SC, GA and OH.$1.6* CI30
Midwest/Plains/Southeast Tornadoes
April 1982
Severe StormApril 2, 1982April 4, 1982Tornadoes and severe weather affect the states (AL, AR, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NE, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, WI, WV) across the Midwest, Plains and Southeast.$1.6* CI33
Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1982
Winter StormJanuary 8, 1982January 16, 1982Winter storm and cold wave affect numerous states (AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) across the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast.$2.2* CI85
Central/Eastern Drought/Heat Wave
Summer-Fall 1980
DroughtJune 1, 1980November 30, 1980Central and eastern U.S. drought/heat wave caused damage to agriculture and other related industries. Combined direct and indirect deaths (i.e., excess mortality) due to heat stress estimated at 10,000.$40.2 CI1,260

Deaths associated with drought are the result of heat waves. (Not all droughts are accompanied by extreme heat waves.)

Flooding events (river basin or urban flooding from excessive rainfall) are separate from inland flood damage caused by tropical cyclone events.

*Statistics valid as of May 8, 2024

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