Trump 'retired' a weather tracking db. Finding $100B+ in losses after relaunch

6 months ago

The Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters Database has relaunched outside of the government after being retired by the Trump administration.
The database tracks extreme weather disasters in the U.S. causing $1 billion or more in damages, with 2025 already recording $101.4 billion in losses.
Climate Central now hosts the database, making it available to insurers, policymakers, meteorologists, and the public.
Adam Smith, the former NOAA economist who previously managed the database, has rebuilt and will maintain it under Climate Central.
In the first half of 2025, 14 billion-dollar disasters were recorded, including the costly LA wildfires and a central U.S. tornado outbreak.
Climate change, population growth, and increased infrastructure in vulnerable areas contribute to the rising trend in disaster costs.
The frequency of billion-dollar disasters has nearly doubled in the last decade compared to the 30-year average.
The 2025 list so far includes severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, with no major hurricanes yet recorded this season.
The LA wildfires in January 2025 were the costliest in U.S. history at $61.2 billion.
The database was discontinued partly due to Smith's departure from NOAA and the administration's broader cuts to climate programs.
Demand for the database's revival came from industries, academia, Congress, and local communities due to its importance.

Hasty Briefsbeta