Disasters can have high costs associated with responding to and recovering from them. This page lists the estimated economic costs of relatively recent disasters.
The costs of disasters vary considerably depending on a range of factors, such as the geographical location where they occur. When a large disaster occurs in a wealthy country, the financial damage may be large, but when a comparable disaster occurs in a poorer country, the actual financial damage may appear to be relatively small. This is in part due to the difficulty of measuring the financial damage in areas that lack insurance. For example, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, with a death toll of around 230,000 people, cost a 'mere' $15 billion, [1] whereas in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, in which 11 people died, the damage was six times higher.
The most expensive disaster in human history is the Chernobyl disaster, costing an estimated $700 billion. [2] Chernobyl's circumstances make it a unique but particularly devastating situation that is unlikely to ever happen again. Estimations have only increased over time, with the recent figure coming from the release of new government data up to 2016. [3] Furthermore, the cost is expected to perpetually increase for several thousand years as cleanup operations and the economic impact of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone continue indefinitely. [4] The most expensive natural disaster is the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, costing an estimated $360 billion. [5]
This table lists disasters which are estimated to have an economic cost of at least 1 billion United States dollars without taking inflation into account.
Event | Cost ($ billion) | Fatalities | Type | Year | Nation(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Actual | Inflated | |||||
Chernobyl disaster | $700 [6] | $888.7 | 30–16,000 | Contamination (Radioactive) | 1986 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami + Fukushima nuclear disaster | $360 [7] [8] [5] | $487.6 | 19,759 | Undersea Megathrust Earthquake, Tsunami, Contamination (Radioactive) | 2011 | ![]() |
Great Hanshin earthquake | $200 [9] | $399.9 | 5,502 – 6,434 | Earthquake | 1995 | ![]() |
2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes | $157.8 [10] [11] | $157.8 | 59,488 – 62,013 | Earthquake | 2023 | West Asia (![]() ![]() |
2008 Sichuan earthquake | $130 [12] | $184 | 87,587 | Earthquake | 2008 | ![]() |
Hurricane Katrina | $125 [13] | $195 | 1,392 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Harvey | $125 [13] | $155.4 | 107 | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | Americas ( ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Ian | $112 [13] | $116.6 | 161 | Tropical cyclone | 2022 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2020 South Asian floods | $105 [14] [15] | $123.6 | 6,511 | Flood | 2020 | South Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Maria | $91.6 [13] | $113.9 | 3,059 [16] | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Milton | $85 [17] | $85 | 35 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | North America and the Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Helene | $81.6 [18] | $81.6 | 225 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Ida | $75 [19] | $84.3 | 107 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2019–20 Australian bushfire season | $69 [20] | $81.2 | 451 | Wildfire | 2019-20 | ![]() |
Hurricane Sandy | $68.7 [13] | $91.2 | 254 | Tropical cyclone | 2012 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Irma | $64.8 [13] | $80.5 | 134 | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Deepwater Horizon oil spill | $60 – $100 [21] | $83.8 – $139.7 | 11 | Contamination (Oil) | 2010 | ![]() |
2021 European floods | $54 [22] | $60.7 | 243 | Flood | 2021 | Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1988–1990 North American drought | $53.25 [23] | $130.9 | 5,000+ | Drought | 1988-89 | ![]() ![]() |
2012–2013 North American drought | $49.6 – $56.1 [24] | $64.9 – $73.4 | 104 | Drought | 2012-13 | ![]() ![]() |
2010 China floods | $51.4 [25] | $71.8 | 3,189 | Flood | 2010 | ![]() ![]() |
1994 Northridge earthquake | $49 [26] | $100.7 | 57 | Earthquake | 1994 | ![]() |
2015 Southeast Asian haze | $47 [27] | $60.4 | 100,300 [28] | Wildfire, subsequent haze | 2015 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2016 Kumamoto earthquakes | $46 [29] | $58.4 | 273 | Earthquake | 2016 | ![]() |
2011 Thailand floods | $45.7 [30] | $61.9 | 815 | Flood | 2011 | ![]() |
2023 South Asian floods | $41.6 [31] | $41.6 | 2,309 | Flood | 2023 | South Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2022 European heatwaves | $40.2 [32] | $41.9 | 24,501 | Heatwave | 2022 | Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2011 Christchurch earthquake | $40 [33] | $54.2 | 185 | Earthquake | 2011 | ![]() |
2022 Pakistan floods | $40 [34] | $41.6 | 1,700 | Flood | 2022 | ![]() |
Hurricane Ike | $38 [13] | $53.8 | 214 | Tropical cyclone | 2008 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2020 China floods | $32 [35] [36] | $37.7 | 278 [35] | Flood | 2020 | ![]() |
Typhoon Doksuri | $28.5 [37] | $28.5 | 137 | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | Southeast Asia ( |
2004 Chūetsu earthquake | $28 [38] [39] | $45.2 | 68 | Earthquake | 2004 | ![]() |
Hurricane Wilma | $27.4 [13] | $42.7 | 87 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Andrew | $27.3 [13] | $59.3 | 65 | Tropical cyclone | 1992 | ![]() |
February 13–17, 2021 North American winter storm | $26.5 [40] | $29.8 | 237 [41] [42] [43] [44] | Winter storm, Infrastructure failure (electric) | 2021 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Ivan | $26.1 [13] | $42.1 | 124 | Tropical cyclone | 2004 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Michael | $25.1 [45] | $30.5 | 74 | Tropical cyclone | 2018 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2018 California wildfires | $24.0 [24] | $29.1 | 103 | Wildfire | 2018 | ![]() |
2011 Sikkim earthquake | $22.3 [46] | $30.2 | 111 | Earthquake | 2011 | Southern Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2016 China floods | $22 [47] | $27.9 | 449 | Flood | 2016 | ![]() |
September 11 terrorist attacks | $21.8 – $135 [48] | $37.5 – $232.3 | 2,996 | Terror attack | 2001 | ![]() |
Storm Daniel | $21.1 [49] | $21.1 | 5,951 – 20,000 | Tropical cyclone, Dam failure | 2023 | ![]() ![]() |
2021 Henan floods | $20.9 [50] | $23.5 | 398 (official confirmed) | Flood | 2021 | ![]() |
1980 Irpinia earthquake | $20 [51] | $74 | 4,900 | Earthquake | 1980 | ![]() |
2024 Central European floods | $20 [52] | $20 | 27 | Flood | 2024 | Central Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2002 European floods | $19.2 | $32.5 | 232 | Flood | 2002 | Central Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Laura | $19.1 [35] [53] | $22.5 | 77 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Rita | $18.5 [13] | $28.9 | 97 – 125 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | ![]() |
Cyclone Lothar | $17.6 [54] | $32.2 | 140 | European windstorm | 1999 | Western Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Hagibis | $17.3 [55] | $20.6 | 139 | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | ![]() |
Hurricane Charley | $16.9 [13] | $27.3 | 35 | Tropical cyclone | 2004 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2012 Nigeria floods | $16.9 [56] | $22.4 | 363 | Flood | 2012 | ![]() |
2006 European heatwave | $16.3 [57] | $23.1 | 3,418 | Heatwave | 2006 | Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2009 L'Aquila earthquake | $16.0 [58] | $22.7 | 308 | Earthquake | 2009 | ![]() |
Hurricane Otis | $16.0 [59] | $17 | 52 or more | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | ![]() |
Typhoon Yagi | $15.8[ citation needed ] | $15.8 | 815 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2012 Northern Italy earthquakes | $15.8 [60] | $21 | 27 | Earthquake | 2012 | ![]() |
2013 European floods | $15.6 [61] | $20.4 | 25 | Flood | 2013 | Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Amphan | $15.5 [62] [63] | $18.2 | 128 [64] | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | Eastern South Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Matthew | $15.1 [65] [66] | $19.2 | 731 | Tropical cyclone | 2016 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Great Flood of 1993 | $15 – $20 [67] | $31.6 – $42.2 | 47 | Flood | 1993 | ![]() |
Cyclones Daria, Vivian, and Wiebke | $15 [68] | $35 | 197 | European windstorm | 1990 | Western Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami | $15 [1] | $24.2 | 230,000 – 280,000 | Earthquake, Tsunami | 2004 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2010 Russian heat wave | $15 [69] | $21 | 56,000 | Wildfire, Heatwave | 2010 | ![]() |
October 2017 Northern California wildfires | $15 [70] [71] [ better source needed ] | $18.6 | 44 | Wildfire | 2017 | ![]() |
2010 Chile earthquake | $15 – $30 [72] | $21 – $41.9 | 525 | Earthquake | 2010 | ![]() |
2020 Beirut explosion | $15 [73] | $17.7 | 218 | Ammonium nitrate explosion | 2020 | ![]() |
2023 Western North America heat wave | $14.8 [74] | $14.8 | 995 | Heatwave | 2023 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2003 European heatwave | $14.5 [75] | $24 | 72,000 | Heatwave | 2003 | Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1988 Armenian earthquake | $14.2 [76] | $36.6 | 38,000 | Earthquake | 1988 | ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Irene | $14.2 [13] | $19.2 | 58 | Tropical cyclone | 2011 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Jebi | $13 [77] | $15.8 | 21 | Tropical cyclone | 2018 | East Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Nargis | $12.9 [78] | $18.3 | 138,366 | Tropical cyclone | 2008 | ![]() |
November 2015 Paris attacks | $12.7 [79] | $16.3 | 130 | Terror attack | 2015 | ![]() |
2015 South India floods | $12 [80] | $15.4 | 506 | Flood | 2015 | ![]() |
2020 Zagreb earthquake | $11.7 [81] | $13.8 | 1 | Earthquake | 2020 | ![]() ![]() |
August 2020 Midwest derecho | $11.5 [82] | $13.5 | 4 [82] | Derecho | 2020 | ![]() |
August 2016 Central Italy earthquake | $11 [83] | $14 | 299 | Earthquake | 2016 | ![]() |
2023 Emilia-Romagna floods | $11 [84] | $11 | 17 | Flood | 2023 | ![]() |
Typhoon Fitow | $10.4 [85] | $13.6 | 12 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | ![]() |
2011 Super Outbreak + Hackleburg–Phil Campbell and Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornadoes | $10.2 [24] | $13.8 | 348 | Tornado outbreak | 2011 | ![]() |
2021 Western North America heat wave | $10.1 [74] | $11.4 | 1,400 | Heat Wave | 2021 | ![]() ![]() |
2016 Louisiana floods | $10 – $15 [86] | $12.7 – $19 | 13 | Flood | 2016 | ![]() |
1980 United States heat wave | $10 [24] | $37 | 1,700 – 10,000 | Drought | 1980 | ![]() |
Typhoon Mireille | $10 [87] | $22.4 | 64 | Tropical cyclone | 1991 | ![]() |
1999 Jiji earthquake | $10 [88] | $18.3 | 2,415 | Earthquake | 1999 | ![]() |
2007 Chūetsu earthquake | $10 [89] | $14.7 | 11 | Earthquake | 2007 | ![]() |
April 2015 Nepal earthquake | $10 [90] | $12.9 | 8,964 | Earthquake | 2015 | Southern Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Kyrill | $10 [68] | $14.7 | 44 | European windstorm | 2007 | Western Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
June 2008 Midwest floods | $10 [24] | $14.2 | 16 | Flood | 2008 | ![]() |
1976 Tangshan earthquake | $10 [24] | $53.5 | 242,419 – 655,000 | Earthquake | 1976 | ![]() |
Typhoon Faxai | $10 [91] | $11.9 | 3 | Tropical cylone | 2019 | ![]() ![]() |
2014 Ludian earthquake | $9.91 [92] | $12.8 | 615 – 727 | Earthquake | 2014 | ![]() |
2018 Japan floods | $9.86 (official estimated) [ citation needed ] | $11.8 | 238 (official confirmed) | Flood | 2018 | ![]() |
Hurricane Frances | $9.8 [13] [93] [94] [95] | $15.8 | 50 | Tropical cyclone | 2004 | North America ( ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Hugo | $9.5 [13] | $23.4 | 60 | Tropical cyclone | 1989 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Georges | $9.4 [13] | $17.6 | 604 | Tropical cyclone | 1998 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Lekima | $9.28 [96] | $11.1 | 105 | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Gabrielle | $9.2 [97] | $9.2 | 11 | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | ![]() |
2022 Nigeria floods | $9.12 [98] | $9.5 | 612 | Flood | 2022 | ![]() |
Tropical Storm Allison | $9 [99] | $15.5 | 55 | Tropical cyclone | 2001 | ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Songda | $9 [100] | $14.5 | 28 | Tropical cyclone | 2004 | ![]() |
2022 Fukushima earthquake | $8.8 [101] | $9.2 | 4 | Earthquake | 2022 | ![]() |
1999 İzmit earthquake | $8.5 [102] | $15.5 | 17,127 – 18,373 | Earthquake | 1999 | ![]() |
Tropical Storm Allison | $8.5 [13] | $14.6 | 55 | Tropical cyclone | 2001 | ![]() |
Hurricane Gustav | $8.3 [13] | $11.7 | 153 | Tropical cyclone | 2008 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Eta | $8.3 [35] | $9.8 | 189 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | Caribbean basin ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2010 Haiti earthquake | $8.1 – $14 [103] [104] | $11.3 – $19.6 | 100,000 – 220,000 | Earthquake | 2010 | ![]() |
Cyclone Fani | $8.1 [105] | $9.7 | 89 | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | ![]() ![]() |
1990 Manjil–Rudbar earthquake | $8 [106] | $18.7 | 45,000 | Earthquake | 1990 | ![]() |
2017 Puebla earthquake | $8 [107] | $9.9 | 370 | Earthquake | 2017 | ![]() |
Hurricane Jeanne | $7.9 [13] | $12.7 | 3,035 | Tropical cyclone | 2004 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2016 Fort McMurray wildfire | $7.61 [108] [109] | $9.7 | 2 | Wildfire | 2016 | ![]() |
2022 China heat wave | $7.6 [110] | $7.9 | 50,900 [111] | Heatwave | 2022 | ![]() |
2023 Slovenia floods | $7.6 [112] | $7.6 | 7 | Flood | 2023 | Julian Alps ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2001 Gujarat earthquake | $7.5 [113] | $12.9 | 20,023 | Earthquake | 2001 | ![]() ![]() |
2021 Pacific Northwest floods | $7.5 [114] | $8.4 | 5 | Flood | 2021 | ![]() ![]() |
2024 Noto earthquake | >$7.4 (estimated) [115] | >$7.4 | 504 | Earthquake | 2024 | ![]() |
Hurricane Sally | $7.3 [82] | $8.6 | 5 [82] | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | ![]() |
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 19–27, 2024 | $7.3 [116] | $7.3 | 31 | Tornado outbreak | 2024 | ![]() |
Typhoon Rammasun | $7.13 [117] | $9.2 | 196 | Tropical cyclone | 2014 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2023 Al Haouz earthquake | $7 [118] | $7 | 2,960 | Earthquake | 2023 | ![]() |
Exxon Valdez oil spill | $7 [119] | $17.2 | 0 | Contamination (Oil) | 1989 | North America ( ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Nina + 1975 Banqiao Dam failure | $6.7 [120] | $37.9 | 229,000 | Tropical cyclone, Dam failure | 1975 | ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Floyd | $6.5 [13] | $11.9 | 74 | Tropical cyclone | 1999 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2007 United Kingdom floods | $6.5 [121] | $9.6 | 13 | Flood | 2007 | ![]() |
Typhoon Hato | $6.41 [122] [123] [124] | $8 | 24 | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Space Shuttle Columbia disaster | $6.4 [125] | $10.6 | 7 | Space flight accident | 2003 | ![]() |
Typhoon Saomai-Osang | $6.3 [126] | $10.8 | 28 | Tropical cyclone | 2000 | East Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Black Saturday bushfires | $6.3 [20] | $8.9 | 173 | Wildfire | 2009 | ![]() |
2017 Iran–Iraq earthquake | $6.2 [127] | $7.7 | 630 | Earthquake | 2017 | ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Morakot | $6.2 [128] | $8.8 | 789 | Tropical cyclone | 2009 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Beryl | $6.2 [129] | $6.2 | 70 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | Caribbean basin ( ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Mitch | $6.1 [13] | $11.4 | 11,374+ | Tropical cyclone | 1998 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Xynthia | $6.1 [68] | $8.5 | 75 | European windstorm | 2010 | Western Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2020 Petrinja earthquake | $6.1 [130] | $7.2 | 7 | Earthquake | 2020 | Balkans ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tornado outbreak of May 6–10, 2024 | $6.1 [116] | $6.1 | 6 | Tornado outbreak | 2024 | ![]() |
1989 Loma Prieta earthquake | $6 [131] | $14.7 | 63 | Earthquake | 1989 | ![]() |
Typhoon Prapiroon | $6 [132] | $10.6 | 75 | Tropical cyclone | 2000 | Northeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Northeast blackout of 2003 | $6 [133] | $9.9 | 11 | Infrastructure failure (electric) | 2003 | ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Klaus | $6 [68] | $8.5 | 26 | European windstorm | 2009 | Southeastern Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2013 Alberta floods | $6 [134] | $7.8 | 5 | Flood | 2013 | ![]() |
Typhoon Shanshan | $6 [135] | $6 | 8 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | ![]() ![]() |
Tornado outbreak of March 31–April 1, 2023 | $5.7 [136] | $6 | 33 | Tornado outbreak | 2023 | ![]() |
2020 Kyushu floods | $5.67 [137] | $6.7 | 77 | Flood | 2020 | ![]() |
Cyclone Gudrun | $5.5 [68] | $8.6 | 24 | European windstorm | 2005 | North Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Isabel | $5.5 [13] | $9.1 | 51 | Tropical cyclone | 2003 | ![]() |
1993 Storm of the Century | $5.5 [138] | $11.6 | 270 [138] | Winter storm | 1993 | ![]() |
2023 Hawaii wildfires | $5.5 [116] | $5.5 | 102 | Wildfire | 2023 | ![]() |
2005 Kashmir earthquake | $5.2 [139] | $8.1 | 86,000 – 87,351 | Earthquake | 2005 | ![]() ![]() |
1980 El Asnam earthquake | $5.2 [140] | $19.2 | 5,000 | Earthquake | 1980 | ![]() |
Hurricane Dorian | $5.1 [141] [142] [143] | $6.1 | 84 [142] [143] | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1931 China floods | $5.07 [144] | $101.6 | 422,499 – 4,000,000 | Flood | 1931 | ![]() |
1985 Mexico City earthquake | $5 [145] | $14.2 | 10,000 – 35,000 | Earthquake | 1985 | ![]() |
Typhoon Herb | $5 [146] | $9.7 | 284 – 590 | Tropical cyclone | 1996 | East Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2003 Boumerdès earthquake | $5 [51] | $8.3 | 2,266 | Earthquake | 2003 | ![]() |
2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull | $5 [147] | $7 | 0 | Volcanic eruption | 2010 | ![]() |
Tropical Storm Imelda | $5 [148] | $6 | 5 [148] | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | ![]() |
2025 Tibet earthquake | $5 [149] | $5 | 126 | Earthquake | 2025 | Southern Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2019 Karnataka floods | $4.95 [150] | $5.9 | 61 | Flood | 2019 | ![]() |
2014 Southeast Europe floods | $4.8 [151] | $6.2 | 86 | Flood | 2014 | Southeast Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2018 Kerala floods | $4.8 [152] | $5.8 | 483 | Flood | 2018 | ![]() |
2021–2022 Malaysian floods | $4.77 [153] | $5 | 54 | Flood | 2022 | ![]() |
Hurricane Opal | $4.7 [13] | $9.4 | 63 | Tropical cyclone | 1995 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1997 Umbria and Marche earthquake | $4.67 [154] | $8.9 | 11 | Earthquake | 1997 | ![]() |
Typhoon Haiyan | $4.6 [155] [156] [157] | $6 | 6,329 – 7,403 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2022–2023 California floods | $4.6 [158] | $4.6 | 22 | Flood | 2022-23 | ![]() |
1979 Montenegro earthquake | $4.5 [159] | $18.9 | 136 | Earthquake | 1979 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1997 Central European flood | $4.5 [160] | $8.5 | 114 | Flood | 1997 | Central Europe |
1997 Indonesian forest fires + 1997 Southeast Asian haze + Garuda Indonesia Flight 152 | $4.47 [161] | $8.5 | 240 | Wildfire, subsequent haze and plane crash | 1997 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1999 Odisha cyclone | $4.44 [162] | $8.1 | 9,887 | Tropical cyclone | 1999 | South Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2020 Sudan floods | $4.43 [163] | $5.2 | 100 | Flood | 2020 | ![]() |
Cyclone Gonu | $4.42 [164] | $6.5 | 78 | Tropical cyclone | 2007 | ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Zeta | $4.4 [165] | $5.2 | 9 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | North America and the Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Mawar | $4.3 [166] | $4.3 | 6 | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | West Pacific basin ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Phailin | $4.26 [167] | $5.6 | 46 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | South Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1999 Athens earthquake | $4.2 [168] | $7.7 | 143 | Earthquake | 1999 | ![]() |
Typhoon Rusa | $4.2 [169] | $7.1 | 238 | Tropical cyclone | 2002 | East Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Manuel | $4.2 [170] | $5.5 | 123 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | ![]() |
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 2003 | $4.1 [24] | $6.8 | 42 | Tornado | 2003 | ![]() |
2019 Iran floods | $4.1 [171] | $4.9 | 77 | Flood | 2019 | ![]() |
Great Storm of 1987 | $4 [68] | $10.7 | 22 | European windstorm | 1987 | Western Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2017 Chiapas earthquake | $4 [172] | $5 | 98 | Earthquake | 2017 | ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Dennis | $3.98 [173] [174] | $6.2 | 88 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | North America and the Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1983 Spanish floods | $3.9 [175] | $11.9 | 34 | Flood | 1983 | ![]() |
Hurricane Stan | $3.9 [176] | $6.1 | 1,673 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | Central America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Karl | $3.9 [177] | $5.4 | 22 | Tropical cyclone | 2010 | ![]() ![]() |
Tornado outbreak of December 10–11, 2021 | $3.9 [178] | $4.4 | 90 | Tornado | 2021 | ![]() |
Cyclone Chido | $3.9 [179] | $3.9 | 172+ | Cyclone | 2024 | South-west Africa ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Mangkhut | $3.74 [180] | $4.5 | 134 | Tropical cyclone | 2018 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods | $3.7 [181] | $3.7 | 181 | Flood | 2024 | ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Isabel | $3.6 [182] | $6 | 51 | Tropical cyclone | 2003 | North America and the Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Yasi | $3.6 [183] | $4.6 | 7 | Tropical cyclone | 2011 | ![]() |
Cyclone Hudhud | $3.58 [184] | $4.6 | 124 | Tropical cyclone | 2014 | ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Utor | $3.55 [185] | $4.6 | 97 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Matmo–Bulbul | $3.54 [186] | $4.2 | 43 | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | South Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Vargas tragedy | $3.5 [187] | $6.4 | 10,000 – 30,000 | Flood, landslide and mudflow | 1999 | ![]() |
2016 Kaikōura earthquake | $3.5 [188] | $4.4 | 2 | Earthquake | 2016 | ![]() |
Hurricane Idalia | $3.5 [189] | $3.5 | 12 | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Vardah | $3.37 [190] | $4.3 | 47 | Tropical cyclone | 2016 | Indian Ocean basin ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2022 eastern Australia floods | $3.33 [191] | $3.5 | 27 | Flood | 2022 | ![]() |
Hurricane Luis | $3.3 [192] | $6.6 | 19 | Tropical cyclone | 1995 | North America and the Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake | $3.3 [193] | $4 | 41 | Earthquake | 2018 | ![]() |
1976 Çaldıran–Muradiye earthquake | $3.2 [194] | $17.1 | 5,000 | Earthquake | 1976 | ![]() ![]() |
Space Shuttle Challenger disaster | $3.2 [195] | $8.9 | 7 [196] | Space flight accident | 1986 | ![]() |
Typhoon Winnie | $3.2 [197] | $6.1 | 372 | Tropical cyclone | 1997 | East Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2010 Central European floods | $3.14 [198] | $4.4 | 37 | Flood | 2010 | Central Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Isaac | $3.11 [199] [200] | $4.1 | 41 | Tropical cyclone | 2012 | North America and the Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1976 Moro Gulf earthquake | $3.1 [201] | $16.6 | 8,000 | Earthquake | 1976 | ![]() |
Hurricane Iniki | $3.1 [13] | $6.7 | 6 | Tropical cyclone | 1992 | ![]() |
2006 Yogyakarta earthquake | $3.1 [202] | $4.7 | 5,749 | Earthquake | 2006 | ![]() |
2019–20 Puerto Rico earthquakes | $3.1 [203] | $3.6 | 4 | Earthquake | 2020 | ![]() |
2023 Canadian wildfires | $3.1 [204] | $3.1 | 8 | Wildfire | 2023 | ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Delta | $3.09 [205] | $3.6 | 6 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | North and Central America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Fiona | $3.09 [206] [207] | $3.2 | 29 | Tropical cyclone | 2022 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1964 Niigata earthquake | $3.0 [208] | $29.5 | 36 | Earthquake | 1964 | ![]() |
Hurricane Alicia | $3.0 [209] | $9.2 | 21 | Tropical cyclone | 1983 | ![]() |
Hurricane Gilbert | $3.0 [13] | $7.7 | 318 | Tropical cyclone | 1988 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2016 Ecuador earthquake | $3.0 [210] | $3.8 | 676 | Earthquake | 2016 | Latin America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2019 Arkansas River floods | $3.0 [211] | $3.6 | 5 | Flood | 2019 | ![]() |
Cyclone Yaas | $2.99 [212] | $3.4 | 20 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | South Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
June 2012 North American derecho | $2.9 [24] | $3.8 | 22 | Derecho | 2012 | ![]() |
2019 Midwestern U.S. floods | $2.9 [24] | $3.5 | 3 | Flood | 2019 | ![]() |
Tropical Storm Lee | $2.8 [213] | $3.8 | 18 | Tropical cyclone | 2011 | ![]() |
2011 Joplin tornado | $2.8 [214] | $3.8 | 158 | Tornado | 2011 | ![]() |
Cyclone Debbie | $2.73 [215] | $3.4 | 14 | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | ![]() ![]() |
AZF chemical plant explosion | $2.68 [216] | $4.6 | 29 | Explosion | 2001 | ![]() |
2010 Canterbury earthquake | $2.63 [217] | $3.7 | 2 | Earthquake | 2010 | ![]() |
1989 Newcastle earthquake | $2.6 [218] | $6.4 | 13 | Earthquake | 1989 | ![]() |
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 2019 | $2.5 [24] | $3 | 8 | Tornado | 2019 | ![]() |
2017 Montana wildfires | $2.5 [24] | $3.1 | 2 | Drought, Wildfire | 2017 | ![]() |
2017 Minneapolis hailstorm | $2.5 [24] | $3.1 | 0 | Hailstorm | 2017 | ![]() |
Hurricane John | $2.5 [219] | $2.5 | 29 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | ![]() |
2024 Hualien earthquake | $2.5 [220] | $2.5 | 19 | Earthquake | 2024 | Eastern Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Michelle | $2.43 [221] | $4.2 | 48 | Tropical cyclone | 2001 | North and Central America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Severe weather sequence of July 13–16, 2024 | $2.4 [116] | $2.4 | 5 | Derecho, tornado outbreak, flood | 2024 | ![]() |
2024 European floods | $2.4 [222] | $2.4 | 52+ | Flood | 2024 | Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Gaemi | $2.31 [223] [224] | $2.3 | 126 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Sidr | $2.3 [225] | $3.4 | 15,000 | Tropical cyclone | 2007 | Southern Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2009 Sumatra earthquakes | $2.3 [226] | $3.3 | 1,115 | Earthquake | 2009 | ![]() |
Typhoon Matsa | $2.23 [227] | $3.5 | 25 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | East Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2022 Luding earthquake | $2.23 [228] | $2.3 | 93 | Earthquake | 2022 | ![]() |
Storm Ciarán | $2.22 [229] | $2.2 | 21 | European windstorm | 2023 | Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2017 Denver hailstorm | $2.2 [24] | $2.7 | 0 | Hailstorm | 2017 | ![]() |
2011 Van earthquakes | $2.2 [230] | $3 | 642 | Earthquake | 2011 | ![]() |
Cyclone Mocha | $2.2 [231] | $2.2 | 463 – 564 | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | Southern Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Roanu | $2.13 [232] | $2.7 | 135 | Tropical cyclone | 2016 | South Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Agnes | $2.1 [233] | $15.3 | 128 | Tropical cyclone | 1972 | North America and the Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cyclones BOB 03 and Yemyin | $2.1 [234] [235] | $3.1 | 983 | Tropical cyclone | 2007 | South Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tornado outbreak of March 6–7, 2017 | $2.1 [24] | $2.6 | 0 | Tornado | 2017 | ![]() |
Cyclone Komen | $2.06 [236] [237] | $2.6 | 167 | Tropical cyclone | 2015 | South Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2023 Jishishan earthquake | $2.05 [238] | $2.1 | 151 | Earthquake | 2023 | ![]() |
Typhoon In-fa | $2.04 [239] | $2.3 | 6 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | East Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Teton Dam disaster | $2 [240] | $10.7 | 11 | Dam failure | 1976 | ![]() |
1977 Vrancea earthquake | $2 [241] | $10.1 | 1,700 | Earthquake | 1977 | Black Sea basin ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Joan–Miriam | $2 [242] | $5.2 | 337 | Tropical cyclone | 1988 | Central and South America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1999 Colombia earthquake | $2 [243] | $3.7 | 1,900 – 5,800 | Earthquake | 1999 | ![]() |
December Storm | $2 [244] | $3.7 | 20 | European windstorm | 1999 | Central Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2001 Nisqually earthquake | $2 [245] | $3.4 | 1 | Earthquake | 2001 | ![]() |
Costa Concordia disaster | $2 [246] | $2.7 | 33 | Maritime disaster | 2012 | ![]() |
2013 Moore tornado | $2 [247] | $2.6 | 26 | Tornado | 2013 | ![]() |
2024 Persian Gulf floods | $2 [248] | $2 | 46 | Flood | 2024 | Persian Gulf basin ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Debby | $2 [249] | $2 | 10 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | North America and Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2003 Tokachi earthquake | $1.9 [250] | $3.1 | 1 | Earthquake | 2003 | ![]() |
Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse | $1.9 [251] | $1.9 | 6 | Bridge collapse | 2024 | ![]() |
Cyclone Aila | $1.83 [252] | $2.6 | 339 | Tropical cyclone | 2009 | ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Hinnamnor | $1.81 [253] | $1.9 | 20 | Tropical cyclone | 2022 | East Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Fifi–Orlene | $1.8 [254] | $11.1 | 8,210 | Tropical cyclone | 1974 | Central America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2011 Groundhog Day blizzard | $1.8 [255] | $2.4 | 36 [255] | Winter storm | 2011 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2023 North India floods | $1.8 [256] | $1.8 | 422 | Flood | 2023 | ![]() |
Hurricane David | $1.79 [257] | $7.5 | 2,078 | Tropical cyclone | 1979 | North America and the Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Frederic | $1.77 [258] | $7.4 | 12 | Tropical cyclone | 1979 | North America and the Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Jal | $1.73 [259] | $2.4 | 118 | Tropical cyclone | 2010 | South and Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami | $1.71 [260] | $2.1 | 4,340 (confirmed) | Earthquake and tsunami | 2018 | ![]() |
Piper Alpha explosion | $1.7 [261] | $5.8 | 165 | Explosion (oil rig) | 1988 | ![]() |
1991 Bangladesh cyclone | $1.7 [262] | $3.8 | 138,866 | Tropical cyclone | 1991 | Southern Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Deep Depression ARB 02 | $1.64 [263] | $2.3 | 180 | Tropical cyclone | 2008 | ![]() |
Typhoon Man-yi | $1.62 [264] | $2.1 | 6 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | ![]() |
2016 Kaikōura earthquake | $1.62 [265] | $2.1 | 2 | Earthquake | 2016 | ![]() |
2001 El Salvador earthquakes | $1.6 [266] | $2.8 | 1,259 | Earthquake | 2001 | Latin America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Dolly | $1.6 [267] [268] | $2.3 | 22 | Tropical cyclone | 2008 | North and Central America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2013 Lushan earthquake | $1.6 [269] | $2.1 | 216 | Earthquake | 2013 | ![]() |
2021 Haiti earthquake | $1.6 [270] | $1.8 | 2,248 | Earthquake | 2021 | ![]() |
Hurricane Allen | $1.57 | $5.8 | 269 | Tropical cyclone | 1980 | North America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2020 Central Vietnam floods | $1.57 [271] | $1.8 | 233 | Flood | 2020 | Indochina ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Tauktae | $1.57 [272] | $1.8 | 174 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | South Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods | $1.57 [273] | $1.6 | 436 | Flood | 2022 | ![]() |
2020 Elazığ earthquake | $1.56 [274] | $1.8 | 41 | Earthquake | 2020 | ![]() |
2019 Dallas tornado | $1.55 [275] | $1.8 | 0 | Tornado | 2019 | ![]() |
Cyclone Freddy | $1.53 [276] | $1.5 | 1,434 | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | Southern Africa ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Autumn 2000 Western Europe floods | $1.52 [277] | $2.7 | 20 | Flood | 2000 | Western Europe ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Juan | $1.5 [278] | $4.2 | 12 | Tropical cyclone | 1985 | ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Bob | $1.5 [279] | $3.4 | 17 | Tropical cyclone | 1991 | North Atlantic Ocean ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2003 Bam earthquake | $1.5 [280] | $2.5 | 34,000 | Earthquake | 2003 | ![]() |
Typhoon Talim | $1.5 [281] | $2.3 | 172 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Ingrid | $1.5 [282] | $2 | 32 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Mekunu | $1.5 [283] | $1.8 | 31 | Tropical cyclone | 2018 | Arabian Peninsula ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Brumadinho dam disaster | $1.5 [284] | $1.8 | 270 | Dam failure | 2019 | ![]() |
Typhoon Hagupit | $1.5 [285] | $1.8 | 17 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | East Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Francine | $1.5 [286] | $1.5 | 0 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Jongdari | $1.48 [287] [288] | $1.8 | 0 | Tropical cyclone | 2018 | ![]() ![]() |
Tropical Storm Etau (2009) | $1.44 [289] | $2 | 28 | Tropical cyclone | 2009 | ![]() |
2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods | $1.43 [290] | $1.4 | 4 | Flood | 2023 | ![]() |
Hurricane Camille | $1.42 [3] | $11.8 | 259 | Tropical cyclone | 1969 | North America and the Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2020 Nashville tornado | $1.418 [291] [292] | $1.7 | 5 | Tornado | 2020 | ![]() |
Cyclone Winston | $1.4 [293] | $1.8 | 44 | Tropical cyclone | 2016 | ![]() |
Cyclone Idai | $1.4 [294] | $1.7 | 1,593 | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | Southern Africa ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Iota | $1.4 [35] | $1.6 | 84 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | Latin America ( ![]() ![]() |
2021 Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption | $1.4 [295] | $1.6 | 1 | Volcanic eruption | 2021 | ![]() |
2009 Messina floods and mudslides | $1.39 [296] | $2 | 31 | Flood and musdlides | 2009 | ![]() |
Hurricane Elena | $1.3 [297] | $3.7 | 9 | Tropical cyclone | 1985 | ![]() ![]() |
Tropical Storm Fred | $1.3 [255] | $1.5 | 7 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | North America and the Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2021 Fukushima earthquake | $1.3 [298] | $1.5 | 1 | Earthquake | 2021 | ![]() |
1993 Latur earthquake | $1.3 [102] | $2.7 | 9,748 | Earthquake | 1993 | ![]() |
Hurricane Isidore | $1.28 [299] [300] | $2.2 | 22 | Tropical cyclone | 2002 | North and Central America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2011 European floods | $1.25 [301] [302] | $1.7 | 17 | Flood | 2011 | Europe and North Africa ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Odile | $1.25 [303] | $1.6 | 18 | Tropical cyclone | 2014 | ![]() ![]() |
Cedar Fire | $1.24 – $2 [304] | $2.1 – $3.3 | 15 | Wildfire | 2003 | ![]() |
2020 Hyderabad floods | $1.23 [305] | $1.4 | 98 | Flood | 2020 | ![]() |
2020 Calgary hailstorm | $1.2 – $1.4 [35] [306] [307] | $1.4 – $1.6 | 0 | Hailstorm | 2020 | ![]() |
1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak | $1.217 [308] | $11.8 | 266 | Tornado outbreak | 1965 | ![]() |
1996 Oman cyclone | $1.2 [309] | $2.3 | 341 | Tropical cyclone | 1996 | Arabian Sea basin ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
January 2011 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides | $1.2 [310] | $1.6 | 916 | Flood, mudslides | 2011 | ![]() |
Cyclone Veronica | $1.2 [311] | $1.4 | 0 | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Elsa | $1.2 [255] | $1.3 | 13 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | North America and the Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
July–August 2022 United States floods | $1.2 [312] | $1.2 | 44 | Flood | 2022 | ![]() |
2023 São Paulo floods and landslides | $1.2 [313] | $1.2 | 65 | Flood, landslide | 2023 | ![]() |
2024 Houston derecho | $1.2 [116] | $1.2 | 8 | Derecho | 2024 | ![]() |
Typhoon Fred | $1.18 [314] | $2.4 | 3,063 | Tropical cyclone | 1994 | East Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Haitang | $1.17 [315] | $1.8 | 20 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | East Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2010 Baja California earthquake | $1.15 [316] | $1.6 | 4 | Earthquake | 2010 | ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Ita | $1.15 [317] [318] | $1.5 | 40 | Tropical cyclone | 2014 | Oceania ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Bopha | $1.1 [319] | $1.5 | 1,901 | Tropical cyclone | 2012 | ![]() |
Three Mile Island accident | $1.1 [320] | $4.6 | 0 | Contamination (Radiation) | 1979 | ![]() |
1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens | $1.1 [321] | $4.1 | 57 | Volcanic eruption, Subsequent landslides and mudslides | 1980 | ![]() |
Tropical Storm Agatha | $1.1 [322] | $1.5 | 204 | Tropical cyclone | 2010 | Central America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2013 North India floods | $1.1 [323] | $1.4 | 6,054 | Flood | 2013 | ![]() ![]() |
May 2021 South Central United States flooding | $1.1 [324] | $1.2 | 5 | Flood | 2021 | ![]() |
Hurricane Nicholas | $1.1 [325] | $1.2 | 4 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | ![]() ![]() |
East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment | $1.1 [326] | $1.1 | 0 | Contamination (Hazardous materials) | 2023 | ![]() |
2019 Albania earthquake | $1.09 [327] | $1.3 | 51 | Earthquake | 2019 | ![]() |
2015 Tianjin explosions | $1.08 (official estimated) [ citation needed ] | $1.4 | 173 (official confirmed) | Explosion | 2015 | ![]() |
Typhoon Vamco | $1.06 [328] | $1.2 | 102 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() |
Tropical Storm Alberto | $1.03 [329] | $2.1 | 33 | Tropical cyclone | 1994 | ![]() |
Typhoon Damrey | $1.03 [330] | $1.3 | 142 | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1923 Great Kantō earthquake | $1 [331] | $17.9 | 142,800 | Earthquake | 1923 | ![]() |
1948 Fukui earthquake | $1 [332] | $12.7 | 3,769 | Earthquake | 1948 | ![]() |
Vajont Dam disaster | $1 [333] | $10 | 2,500 | Landslide, subsequent Megatsunami and dam failure | 1963 | ![]() |
1963 Skopje earthquake | $1 [334] | $10 | 1,100 | Earthquake | 1963 | ![]() ![]() |
1972 Nicaragua earthquake | $1 [335] | $7.3 | 10,000 | Earthquake | 1972 | ![]() |
1976 Guatemala earthquake | $1 [336] | $5.4 | 23,000 | Earthquake | 1976 | ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Ketsana | $1 [337] | $1.4 | 921 | Tropical cyclone | 2009 | Southeast Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Armero tragedy | $1 [338] | $2.8 | 22,540 | Volcano eruption, Mudslides | 1985 | ![]() |
Surfside condominium collapse | $1 | $1.1 | 98 | Structure failure | 2021 | ![]() |
1978 Thessaloniki earthquake | $1 [106] | $4.7 | 50 | Earthquake | 1978 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1983 Sea of Japan earthquake | $1 [339] | $3.1 | 104 | Earthquake | 1983 | ![]() |
1985 Algarrobo earthquake | $1 [340] | $2.8 | 177 | Earthquake | 1985 | ![]() |
1987 Ecuador earthquakes | $1 [341] | $2.7 | 1,000 – 5,000 | Earthquake | 1987 | ![]() |
1988 Nepal earthquake | $1 [342] | $2.6 | 709 | Earthquake | 1988 | ![]() ![]() |
1992 Cairo earthquake | $1 [343] | $2.2 | 561 | Earthquake | 1992 | ![]() |
1994 Páez River earthquake | $1 [344] | $2.1 | 1,100 | Earthquake | 1994 | ![]() |
1998 Adana–Ceyhan earthquake | $1 [345] | $1.9 | 145 | Earthquake | 1998 | ![]() |
1999 Düzce earthquake | $1 [346] | $1.8 | 845 – 894 | Earthquake | 1999 | ![]() |
1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado | $1 [247] | $1.8 | 41 | Tornado | 1999 | ![]() |
2014 South Napa earthquake | $1 [347] | $1.3 | 1 | Earthquake | 2014 | ![]() |
Cyclone Luban | $1 [348] | $1.2 | 14 | Tropical cyclone | 2018 | Arabian Sea basin ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Nicole | $1 [349] | $1 | 11 | Tropical cyclone | 2022 | North America and the Antiles ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2024 Chile wildfires | $1 [350] | $1 | 137-507 | Wildfire | 2024 | ![]() |
This table lists notable disasters which are estimated to have an economic cost of less than 1 billion United States dollars without taking inflation into account. This includes historical disasters, such as the Great Chicago Fire, which would surpass the value of $1 billion in modern currency.
Note: All damage figures are listed in millions of United States dollars.
Event | Cost ($ millions) | Fatalities | Type | Year | Nation(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Actual | Inflated | |||||
Cyclone Akash | $982 [351] | $1443 | 14 | Tropical cyclone | 2007 | South Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2013 Washington, Illinois tornado | $935 [352] [353] | $1223 | 3 | Tornado | 2013 | ![]() |
2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires | $922 [354] | $1171 | 14 | Wildfire | 2016 | ![]() |
2020 Korea floods | $875 [355] | $1030 | 32 | Flood | 2020 | ![]() |
1978 Miyagi earthquake | $800 [356] | $3737 | 28 | Earthquake | 1978 | ![]() |
Cyclone Nisha | $800 [357] | $1132 | 204 | Tropical cyclone | 2008 | ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Helen | $796 [358] | $1041 | 10 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | ![]() |
Hurricane Nate | $787 [359] [360] | $978 | 48 | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | North and Central America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hurricane Flora | $773 [361] | $7693 | 7,193 | Tropical cyclone | 1963 | North and Central America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2021 South Moravia tornado | $716 [362] | $805 | 6 | Tornado | 2021 | ![]() |
1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption | $700 [363] | $1566 | 800 | Volcano | 1991 | ![]() |
2011 Slave Lake wildfire | $700 [364] | $948 | 1 | Wildfire | 2011 | ![]() |
5 August 2018 Lombok earthquake | $607 [365] | $737 | 563 | Earthquake | 2018 | ![]() |
1974 Super Outbreak + Xenia tornado | $600 [366] | $3707 | 335 | Tornado outbreak | 1974 | ![]() ![]() |
1993 Okushiri earthquake | $600 [367] | $1266 | 230 | Earthquake | 1993 | ![]() |
2015 Illapel earthquake | $600 [368] | $771 | 15 | Earthquake | 2015 | ![]() ![]() |
Cyclone Tracy | $500 – $600 [369] | $3089 – $3707 | 71 | Tropical cyclone | 1974 | ![]() |
2018 Ponte Morandi collapse | $575 [370] | $698 | 43 | Bridge collapse | 2018 | ![]() |
1960 Valdivia earthquake | $550 [371] | $5665 | 6,000 | Earthquake | 1960 | Pacific Rim ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1970 Ancash earthquake | $530 [372] | $4158 | 70,000 | Earthquake | 1970 | ![]() |
2000 Mozambique flood | $525 [373] | $929 | 800 | Flood | 2000 | ![]() |
1906 San Francisco earthquake | $524 [374] | $17769 | 3,000 | Earthquake | 1906 | ![]() |
I-35W Mississippi River Bridge collapse | $483 [375] [376] [377] – $543 [378] | $710 – 798 | 13 | Structure failure | 2007 | ![]() |
1971 San Fernando earthquake | $500 [379] | $3762 | 65 | Earthquake | 1971 | ![]() |
1984 Romeoville petroleum refinery disaster | $500 [380] | $1466 | 17 | Explosion | 1984 | ![]() |
October 1999 Mexico floods | $491.3 [381] | $899 | 636 | Flood | 1999 | Central America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Typhoon Tip | $484 [382] | $2032 | 99 | Tropical cyclone | 1979 | East Asia ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1990 Carlentini earthquake | $400 [383] | $933 | 19 | Earthquake | 1990 | ![]() |
2020 Aegean Sea earthquake | $400 [35] | $471 | 119 | Earthquake and tsunami | 2020 | ![]() ![]() |
Ariane 5 Flight 501 | $370 [384] | $719 | 0 | Space flight accident | 1996 | ![]() |
1990 Luzon earthquake | $369 [385] | $861 | 1,621 | Earthquake | 1990 | ![]() |
New York City blackout of 1977 | $350 [386] | $1760 | 1 | Infrastructure failure (electric) | 1977 | ![]() |
Mars Climate Orbiter & Mars Polar Lander | $328 [387] | $600 | 0 | Space flight accident | 1999 | ![]() |
Hurricane Keith | $319 [388] | $564 | 68 | Tropical cyclone | 2000 | Central America ( ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hitomi breakup | $273 [389] | $347 | 0 | Space flight accident | 2016 | ![]() |
Typhoon Vera | $261 [390] | $2728 | 5,098 (official confirmed) | Tropical cyclone | 1959 | ![]() |
1953 Worcester tornado | $250 [391] [292] | $2847 | 90 | Tornado | 1953 | ![]() |
Great Chicago Fire | $222 [392] | $5646 | 300 | Fire | 1871 | ![]() |
2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption and tsunami | $182 [393] | $189 | 7 | Volcanic eruption and tsunami | 2022 | ![]() |
CryoSat-1 | $118 [394] | $184 | 0 | Space flight accident | 2005 | ![]() |
1970 Bhola cyclone | $86.4 [395] | $678 | 300,000 | Tropical cyclone | 1970 | ![]() ![]() |
1908 Messina earthquake | $86,3 [396] | $2927 | 75,000-82,000 | Earthquake | 1908 | ![]() |
1962 Vallés floods | $44.2 (official estimated) | $445 | 617 (official confirmed) | Flood | 1962[ citation needed ] | ![]() |
Sinking of the Titanic | $25 [397] [398] | $789 | 1,490 – 1,635 | Shipwreck | 1912 | ![]() |
Mariner 1 | $18.1 [399] | $182 | 0 | Space flight accident | 1962 | ![]() |
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)