Events of the Decade. The ranking considered cost, deaths, injuries, size and rarity by meteorological standards. As a meteorologist who focuses on tropical cyclones, I concur with this ranking, although the death toll from Hurricane Maria was the largest.
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IMERG data for Harvey were compiled for the period from August 23 to 29, 2017 as it moved through the Gulf of Mexico and stalled over Texas. The IMERG totals showed over 30 inches of rainfall had occurred in the Houston metro area and part of the western Gulf of Mexico.
Credits: NASA JAXA, Hal Pierce
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Here are the top 10 record-breaking U.S. weather events of the last decade:
US News and World Report By Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder, Staff Writer Feb. 18, 2020,
Hurricane Harvey (2017)
"To say that the rainfall totals from Harvey were extreme might even be an understatement," the report said. The hurricane killed 68 people.
Hurricane Sandy (2012)
Sometimes referred to as a "Frankenstorm," Hurricane Sandy was one of the most intense and damaging East Coast storms of all time. "Sandy served as a kind of wake-up call for the East Coast, letting residents understand how vulnerable the populated coastal areas could be to big storms," the report said.
Hurricane Maria (2017)
The hurricane made landfall in Southeast Puerto Rico after bringing major destruction to Saint Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It was the most catastrophic hurricane to hit Puerto Rico, causing $90 billion in damages. The storm, which caused power outages in Puerto Rico that lasted up to 11 months in some areas, was indirectly responsible for nearly 3,000 deaths.
Hurricane Irma (2017)
The Category 5 storm caused major damage to the U.S. Virgin Islands before being downgraded to a Category 4 and striking the Florida Keys. It caused roughly $50 billion in damages.
Animation: https://youtu.be/uOaQhPQasGI
Caption: This animation of NOAA's GOES East satellite imagery from Sept. 12 at 8:15 a.m. EDT (1215 UTC) to Sept. 14 ending at 8:30 a.m. EDT (1230 UTC) shows Irma remnants moved from Missouri to the Mid-Atlantic and New England. Meanwhile Hurricane Jose continued making a loop in the Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas. TRT: 00:22 Super(s): Courtesy: NASA-NOAA GOES Project
Heat and drought (2012)
Across the summer months in the Corn Belt, heat and drought killed crops and reduced lake and river water levels. From Nebraska to Ohio, about $34 billion in agricultural losses were logged.
Tornado super outbreaks (2011)
The largest tornado outbreak ever recorded saw over 200 tornadoes across the Southeast. On April 27, 122 tornados killed 321 people, the majority of which were in Alabama.
Southern Plains drought (2010-2011)
The drought affected Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Kansas and Louisiana. It was linked to 95 heat-related deaths.
California winds, heat and wildfires (2017-2019)
The Camp Fire in Northern California in 2018 was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the state's history. During this time, California also dealt with the Carr Fire and the Tubbs Fire. The utility PG&E has started the controversial practice of shutting off power to areas that expect to see high wind events in order to limit the number of fires its equipment could spark.
This animated GIF from the Worldview webpage shows the growth of the Camp Fire from November 7 through November 12, 2018.
Credits: NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS).
Hurricane Michael (2018)
The Category 5 hurricane made landfall near Panama City, Florida. The storm killed 57 people and cost the economy roughly $25 billion.
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| Hurricane Michael frequently produced rainfall totals greater than 10 inches (254 mm) along its track. IMERG data indicated that the heaviest rainfall accumulation occurred off the Yucatan where were over 20 inches (512 mm) were estimated. Michael’s approximate 0000Z and 1200Z (8 p.m. EDT and 8 a.m. EDT) locations are shown overlaid on this analysis. Credit: NASA/JAXA, Hal Pierce |
California drought (2012-2015)
Four years of insufficient rain and snow caused the worst drought in nearly 40 years. It brought wildfires, water shortages and agricultural losses.
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