Fact Check: "Extreme weather events are now occurring outside previous experience, leaving people unprepared."
What We Know
Recent data from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) indicates that 2023 was a historic year for weather-related disasters in the United States. The year saw 28 separate weather and climate disasters, each causing at least $1 billion in damages, surpassing the previous record of 22 disasters in 2020. The total cost of these disasters was at least $92.9 billion (NOAA, 2023) [source-1]. This trend of increasing frequency and cost of extreme weather events is corroborated by the cumulative data from the past several years, which shows that the U.S. has experienced 376 billion-dollar disasters since 1980, with overall costs exceeding $2.660 trillion (NCEI) [source-2].
Moreover, the frequency of heat waves has also increased significantly. Data shows that the average number of heat waves per year in major U.S. cities has risen from two in the 1960s to six in the 2010s and 2020s (EPA) [source-4]. This increase in extreme weather events is attributed to a combination of factors, including climate change, which is believed to be increasing the frequency and intensity of certain types of extreme weather (NCEI) [source-1].
Analysis
The claim that extreme weather events are occurring outside previous experience is supported by substantial evidence from credible sources. The NOAA report highlights a clear upward trend in both the number and cost of billion-dollar disasters over recent years, indicating that such events are becoming more common and financially devastating (NOAA, 2023) [source-1]. The increase in extreme weather events is not merely anecdotal; it is backed by statistical data showing that the annual average of billion-dollar disasters has more than doubled in the past five years compared to the long-term average (NCEI) [source-2].
Furthermore, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides additional context by documenting the rising frequency of heat waves, which can catch populations unprepared and exacerbate health risks (EPA) [source-4]. The combination of these findings paints a clear picture of a changing climate that is leading to more frequent and severe weather events, which aligns with the assertion that people are increasingly unprepared for these occurrences.
While some might argue that the increase in disaster frequency could be attributed to better reporting and awareness, the sheer scale of the financial impact and the documented changes in climate patterns suggest that this is not merely a case of improved data collection. The evidence indicates a genuine escalation in extreme weather events, which many communities are indeed unprepared for, particularly in vulnerable areas.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that extreme weather events are now occurring outside previous experience, leaving people unprepared, is substantiated by robust data showing a significant increase in both the frequency and cost of such events. The historical context provided by NOAA and the EPA supports the assertion that these changes are largely driven by climate change, making it imperative for communities to adapt and prepare for the new normal of extreme weather.
