Ranked: The 18 deadliest weather hazards in the U.S.
Every season, a multitude of natural disasters hits the U.S. From mudslides to avalanches, these hazards cause millions of dollars in damage and affect families nationwide. Sadly, these disasters are often fatal.
The World Meteorological Organization defines natural hazards as "severe and extreme weather and climate events that occur naturally in all parts of the world." Using data collected from the National Weather Service, the experts at WeatherDB researched 18 natural hazards that occur annually. We've ranked this list according to which ones caused the most fatalities between 2005 and 2014.
As winter sets in, it might help to know what Mother Nature has in store.
#18. Dust Storm
Average Annual Fatalities: less than 1
Average Annual Injuries: 8
Average Annual Crop Damage: $805,000
Average Annual Property Damage: $811,000
#17. Ice
Average Annual Fatalities: 2
Average Annual Injuries: 2
Average Annual Crop Damage: $29,000
Average Annual Property Damage: $285 million
#16. Mud Slide
Average Annual Fatalities: 2
Average Annual Injuries: 3
Average Annual Crop Damage: $2 million
Average Annual Property Damage: $29.4 million
#15. Tsunami
Average Annual Fatalities: 3
Average Annual Injuries: 13
Average Annual Crop Damage: $2,000
Average Annual Property Damage: $13.9 million
#14. Rain
Average Annual Fatalities: 3
Average Annual Injuries: 12
Average Annual Crop Damage: $37.2 million
Average Annual Property Damage: $43.4 million
#13. Fire Weather
Average Annual Fatalities: 6
Average Annual Injuries: 67
Average Annual Crop Damage: $7.41 million
Average Annual Property Damage: $500 million
#12. Coastal Storm
Average Annual Fatalities: 8
Average Annual Injuries: 4
Average Annual Crop Damage: $160,000
Average Annual Property Damage: $3.23 billion
#11. Avalanche
Average Annual Fatalities: 16
Average Annual Injuries: 12
Average Annual Property Damage: $291,000
#10. Winter Storm
Average Annual Fatalities: 19
Average Annual Injuries: 184
Average Annual Crop Damage: $5.57 million
Average Annual Property Damage: $328 million
#9. High Wind
Average Annual Fatalities: 25
Average Annual Injuries: 67
Average Annual Crop Damage: $29.7 million
Average Annual Property Damage: $633 million
#8. Thunderstorm Wind
Average Annual Fatalities: 27
Average Annual Injuries: 255
Average Annual Crop Damage: $64.9 million
Average Annual Property Damage: $547 million
#7. Cold
Average Annual Fatalities: 29
Average Annual Injuries: 20
Average Annual Crop Damage: $463 million
Average Annual Property Damage: $23.5 million
#6. Lightning
Average Annual Fatalities: 32
Average Annual Injuries: 192
Average Annual Crop Damage: $165,000
Average Annual Property Damage: $52.1 million
#4. Rip Current
Average Annual Fatalities: 51
Average Annual Injuries: 41
Average Annual Property Damage: $26.6 million
#5. Flood
Average Annual Fatalities: 71
Average Annual Injuries: 62
Average Annual Crop Damage: $474 million
Average Annual Property Damage: $2.87 billion
#3. Tropical Storm/Hurricane
Average Annual Fatalities: 105
Average Annual Injuries: 18
Average Annual Crop Damage: $291 million
Average Annual Property Damage: $10.1 billion
#2. Tornado
Average Annual Fatalities: 110
Average Annual Injuries: 1,265
Average Annual Crop Damage: $21.3 million
Average Annual Property Damage: $2.15 billion
#1. Heat
Average Annual Fatalities: 124
Average Annual Injuries: 980
Average Annual Crop Damage: $50.5 million
Average Annual Property Damage: $2.4 million