Reversing the Trump Administration's Decision: New Legislation on Disaster Database

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) have introduced the Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act, aiming to reverse the Trump Administration's decision to terminate NOAA's extreme weather database. The legislation seeks to restore and maintain the Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database, which tracks natural disasters resulting in at least $1 billion in damage each year. Since 1980, the database has recorded 403 weather and climate disasters, exceeding $2.9 trillion in losses. The database helps communities and lawmakers allocate resources effectively and is crucial in tracking the rising costs associated with disaster recovery.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump Administration terminated NOAA's extreme weather database, threatening emergency preparedness, scientific research, and national efforts to reduce disaster costs.
  • The Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act will require NOAA to restore and maintain the Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database.
  • The database has recorded 403 weather and climate disasters since 1980, resulting in losses exceeding $2.9 trillion.
  • The legislation is led by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and cosponsored by 12 other senators, including Martin Heinrich.
  • The database helps communities and lawmakers allocate resources effectively before extreme weather events.
  • From 2020 to 2024, New Mexico experienced eleven disasters causing over $1 billion in damage.
  • 2024 was the fourth-highest year on record for weather and climate disasters, with 27 individual events causing $182.7 billion in damage.

Statistics:

  • Since 1980, the database has recorded 403 weather and climate disasters.
  • Combined losses from these events exceed $2.9 trillion.
  • In 2024, the United States experienced 27 individual weather and climate disasters causing $182.7 billion in damage.

Sources:

  • U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (N.M.)
  • U.S. Senator Peter Welch (Vt.)
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • The Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act (legislation)