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