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Each year extreme weather events hit the United States and cause millions of dollars in damage. In 2022 the U.S. faced multiple storms that left many shaken and neighborhoods damaged.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) 2022 billion-dollar weather disaster list, the U.S. experienced a staggering 18 weather and climate disasters, with losses exceeding $1 billion with each weather event that occurred.
These events included one drought event, one flooding event, 11 severe storms, three tropical cyclone events, one wildfire, and one winter storm event. The impact of these disasters was significant, resulting in the deaths of 474 people and causing substantial economic effects on the affected areas.
Two events, particularly Hurricane Ian and a drought in the West, caused the most damage, resulting in losses amounting to around $113 billion and $22 billion, respectively. These figures may seem staggering, but they only scratch the surface of the true cost of these natural disasters. Not only did they cause financial losses, but they also disrupted lives, caused injuries, and, tragically, claimed lives as well.
In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at these storms and others that hit the U.S. in 2022, and detail their impact on the local communities, the economy, and the environment. We’ll also discuss some of the factors that contributed to these disasters and offer tips on how to prepare for such events in the future.
So, let’s get started and take a closer look at the worst storms that hit America in 2022!
4 Of The Worst Storms In America That Caused Damage Last Year
(Ranked From Least To Most Damaging)
In 2022, Mother Nature unleashed her fury across the United States with a series of chaotic weather events that will never be forgotten.
From record-breaking temperatures to torrential downpours, here are the worst storms of 2022 ranked from least, to most damaging:
#4 Buffalo Winter Storm
One of the most devastating storms in 2022 was the winter storm that hit Buffalo, New York shortly before Christmas. This life threatening storm combined local lake-effect conditions and a large drop in pressure to produce white-out blizzard conditions for hours on end. The city, no stranger to heavy snowfall, was caught off guard by the storm’s ferocity, leaving at least 41 people dead in the Buffalo area alone. Unfortunately, many of the deaths were pedestrians who were found in their cars or were caught out in the white-out.
#3 Hurricane Nicole
In 2022, Hurricane Nicole hit Florida in November, causing heavy rain, flooding, and coastal erosion. Hurricane Nicole was the eighth hurricane and the fourteenth named storm of the 2022 hurricane season. The storm produced up to 85 mph winds and made landfall at North Hutchinson Island, Florida.
The impact of Hurricane Nicole was devastating. The storm caused $1 billion in damages and resulted in 11 fatalities. Many Florida counties and communities were still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Ian’s high winds, and flooding from several weeks earlier, which worsened the existing damage and recovery timeline for the community. The heavy rain and high winds of the hurricane were a double blow, leaving many Floridians without power and causing severe disruptions to transportation networks.
#2 Flash Floods In Kentucky
Another catastrophic storm hit the United States in 2022, this time in parts of Kentucky. Between July 25 and July 30, several thunderstorm systems developed in the area, resulting in deadly flash flooding and devastating river flooding across eastern Kentucky and central Appalachia. Despite the rain not falling continuously over the four days, the rainfall rate exceeded 4 inches per hour at times, leading to widespread devastation. The severe flooding caused 39 fatalities, with many more missing and thousands without power, as their homes and businesses were either flooded or destroyed. Flood waters destroyed homes and devastated communities, leading to costly infrastructure damage in the area.
Emergency responders conducted over 600 helicopter rescues and numerous boat rescues to save those trapped by the floods. The event resulted in 24 flash flood warnings between July 26 and 30, with three upgraded to flash flood emergencies. The damage and destruction caused by this storm have left a lasting impact on the region, adding to the series of catastrophic events that hit the United States in 2022.
Flash Floods In Kentucky
#1 Hurricane Ian
One of the most damaging storms of 2022 was Hurricane Ian, which primarily impacted the United States and Cuba. According to Abdollah Shafieezadeh, an Associate Professor in the Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering Department at Ohio State University, losses caused by Hurricane Ian were estimated to have exceeded $20 billion and could have been as high as $100 billion.
Hurricane Ian was a Category 4 storm that hit Florida on September 28, with wind speeds reaching up to 155 mph. The storm caused significant damage and resulted in 157 fatalities, including 146 in Florida, five in North Carolina, one in Virginia, and five in Cuba. The resulting storm surge reached around 10-15 feet, causing significant property damage.
Hurricane Ian serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events. As we continue to face the growing threat of climate change, we must take steps to reduce our environmental impact and be better equipped to deal with the consequences of these natural disasters.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the storms of 2022 were some of the worst ever to hit America. No state was spared from disastrous weather, from Florida to Kentucky to North Carolina and New York. It’s clear that these storms caused significant damage across the country, with estimated losses totaling billions of dollars.
In the face of these increasingly extreme weather events, it’s more important than ever to take steps to prepare your home for the worst. One of the most critical steps you can take is to secure your roof, which is the first line of defense against high winds and heavy rain. And having good insurance coverage.
McClellands Contracting and Roofing is here to help if you’re in Pittsburgh or the surrounding areas. We specialize in providing homeowners with top-quality roofing materials and expert installation services designed to stand up to even the worst storms. Additionally, we also provide 24/7 emergency roofing service in the wake of roof storm damage. With our help, you can be confident that your home will be prepared to weather whatever Mother Nature has in store.
So if you’re ready to take the first step toward protecting your home, contact us today at (412) 353-5660.
Sources
Thomson, Jess, and Ari Hoffman. “From Ian to Nicole: The Five Worst Hurricanes of 2022 so Far, Ranked.” Newsweek, November 14, 2022, www.newsweek.com/worst-storms-2022-hurricanes-damage-1759261.
Bob Henson, Jeff Masters, et al. “The U.S. Had 18 Different Billion-dollar Weather Disasters in 2022 » Yale Climate Connections.” Yale Climate Connections, January 10, 2023, yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/01/the-u-s-had-18-different-billion-dollar-weather-disasters-in-2022.
NCEI.Monitoring.Info@noaa.gov. “Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).” Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions/events.
“Record Drought Gripped Much of the U.S. in 2022.” Record Drought Gripped Much of the U.S. in 2022 | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, January 10, 2023, www.noaa.gov/news/record-drought-gripped-much-of-us-in-2022.
