Natural Disasters Strike Hard in 2024

In 2024, natural disasters caused extensive damage and claimed hundreds of lives worldwide. The year started with powerful tornadoes sweeping through the United States, followed by devastating earthquakes and floods in Asia and the Middle East. Summer brought intense heat waves and a series of hurricanes that disrupted life in the southeastern United States. One of the most severe hurricanes, Helene, hit Florida with deadly force, causing over 230 deaths and widespread power outages. The World Meteorological Organization reported that 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record, with global temperatures exceeding pre-industrial levels by more than 1. 5 degrees Celsius. This trend highlights the growing threat of climate change, making extreme weather events more frequent and severe. In the U. S. alone, there were 24 weather-related disasters causing over $1 billion in damages each.Other notable disasters included flash flooding in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where over 300 people died, and an earthquake in Papua New Guinea that killed more than 670 people. Southern Brazil and Kerala, India, also suffered from devastating floods and landslides. In Europe, flash floods killed over 200 people, emphasizing the global impact of these events. The Philippines faced two major storms, Yagi and Trami, resulting in hundreds of deaths and widespread displacement. Even in the U. S. , unusual weather patterns were observed, with snow in all 50 states and a severe storm system impacting 30 states. These events underscore the need for better disaster preparedness and climate action.