On October 8, 2021, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) announced that the number of billion-dollar plus disasters so far in 2021 had achieved a new record high of 18 as of the end of September, putting 2021 on a pace to exceed the record number of billion-dollar plus disasters set in 2020.  So far, these disasters have taken 538 lives, which is more than twice the number of deaths from all billion-dollar disasters in 2020. The damage to property and infrastructure thus far in 2021 is $104.8 billion and growing, exceeding the damage toll from billion-dollar disasters in all of 2020 of $100.2 billion.  This year marks the seventh year in a row where the United States has experienced ten or more billion-dollar disasters.

A graphic summarizing the disasters from the NOAA report is below and the report can be obtained at https://www.noaa.gov/news/us-hit-with-18-billion-dollar-disasters-so-far-year.

Photo of Stephen Kelly Stephen Kelly

Stephen Kelly focuses his practice on construction and development, including contract drafting and negotiating and construction-related litigation. Steve, Of Counsel in the Stoel Rives’ Construction and Design group, has represented private and public owners, developers, contractors and designers in many facets of development…

Stephen Kelly focuses his practice on construction and development, including contract drafting and negotiating and construction-related litigation. Steve, Of Counsel in the Stoel Rives’ Construction and Design group, has represented private and public owners, developers, contractors and designers in many facets of development and construction law. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America® in the practice area of Native American Law from 2012 to 2015 and was selected by Best Lawyers® as Portland Native American Law Lawyer of the Year for 2013.