Second Highest Number of Billion-Dollar Disasters by July 2024 in U.S. History: NOAA

As of July 2024, the United States has experienced 19 weather and climate disasters, each resulting in over $1 billion in damages, making this the second-highest year-to-date count in recorded history, according to the NOAA. The significant events include 15 severe storms, one tropical cyclone (Hurricane Beryl), one wildfire, and two winter storms, collectively causing 149 fatalities and over $49.6 billion in damages.

The extreme weather patterns were driven by above-average heat and precipitation, with July 2024 ranking as the 11th warmest on record in the U.S. California and New Hampshire set new records for their hottest July, while 19 other states experienced their top-10 warmest July. The month also saw a stark contrast in precipitation, with the South, Southeast, Midwest, and northern New England receiving above-average rainfall, while the West and parts of the Ohio Valley endured drier conditions.