CRS: Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes in the United States

Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes in the United States, Peter Folger, Specialist in Energy and Natural Resources Policy – May 26, 2011

  • “Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes affect communities across the United States every year, causing fatalities, destroying property and crops, and disrupting businesses. Tornadoes are the most destructive products of severe thunderstorms, and second only to flash flooding as the cause for most thunderstorm-related fatalities. Damages from violent tornadoes seem to be increasing, similar to the trend for other natural hazards—in part due to changing population, demographics, and more weather-sensitive infrastructure—and some analysts indicate that losses of $1 billion or more from single tornado events are becoming more frequent. Insurance industry analysts state that tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and related weather events have caused nearly 57%, on average, of all insured catastrophe losses in the United States in any given year since 1953.”
  • From CRS, see also: The Global Climate Change Initiative (GCCI): Budget Authority and Request, FY2008-FY2012 as well as related postings on climate change
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