In 2023, there was a global protection gap of 262 U.S. dollars for natural disasters worldwide. The estimated economic loss of natural disasters worldwide was 380 billion U.S. dollars, while the estimated insured loss amounted to 118 billion U.S. dollars.Where did the most costly natural disaster occur?Natural disasters are extreme, sudden catastrophes that are caused by natural processes by the earth. Different types of natural disasters include floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. There are many consequences that occur as a result of natural disasters, which include death, economic and infrastructural damage, and public health issues. The 2011 earthquake and tsunami that happened in Japan caused the most economic damage worldwide in the past four decades. Most costly disasters for insurersThe impact of natural disasters on insurance companies varies depends on the prevalence of insurance coverage in the affected region. Generally, losses from natural disasters that occur in wealthy countries such as the United States include a greater percentage of insured losses than disasters that occur in lower income countries. 2017 remains the worst year for insured property losses in the United States due to several major hurricanes in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Domestically, Hurricane Katrina was the most expensive natural disaster of all time.

The total costs of Hurricane Katrina amounted to 125 billion U.S. dollars at the time the disaster occurred in 2005. While this is around the same total cost of Hurricane Harvey, when adjusted for inflation the former is more expensive, with the cost being the equivalent of 194 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 (compared to 155 billion U.S. dollars for Hurricane Harvey).

Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana on August 9, 2005 and displaced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The death toll reached almost 2,000 people. Katrina was also the most expensive U.S. catastrophe since 1992 in terms of property loss.

Harvey, Maria and Irma Katrina was responsible for the spike in insured losses caused by natural disasters globally in 2005. Harvey, Maria and Irma also made quite the impact in 2017 when they hit central America and then made land on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The frequency and intensity of such natural disasters are increasing.

In 2023, the United States experienced 25 natural disasters, which made it the most natural catastrophe-prone country in the world that year. India and China came second on that list with 17 natural disasters occurring in the same year. Floods was the most common type of natural disaster in 2023. Types of natural disasters There are many different types of natural disasters that occur worldwide, including earthquakes, droughts, storms, floods, volcanic activity, extreme temperatures, landslides, and wild fires. Overall, there were 398 natural disasters registered all over the world in 2023. Costs of natural disasters Due to their destructive nature, natural disasters take a severe toll on populations and countries. Storms and floods, which tend to occur most regularly, have the biggest economic impact in the countries that they occur. In 2023, storms caused damages estimated at more than 100 billion U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, the number of deaths due to natural disasters neared 100,000 that year. The earthquake in Turkey in February had the highest death toll, with more than 50,000 fatalities. Scientists predict that some natural disasters such as storms, floods, landslides, and wildfires will be more frequent and more intense in the future, creating both human and financial losses.

There were a total of 257 fatalities reported due to heat waves, wildfires, and drought in the United States in 2023. In total, there were about 430 fatalities due to severe natural disasters in the United States that year.

The Crisis Management Software market, valued at $8.71 billion in 2025, is projected to experience robust growth, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.4% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is driven by several key factors. Increasing frequency and severity of global crises, ranging from natural disasters to cyberattacks and pandemics, necessitate sophisticated software solutions for efficient response and mitigation. Businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of proactive risk management and business continuity planning, fueling demand for comprehensive crisis management platforms. Furthermore, advancements in technologies like AI, machine learning, and real-time data analytics are enhancing the capabilities of these software solutions, providing better insights and faster response times. The market is segmented into solutions and services, with solutions encompassing software platforms and related tools, while services encompass consulting, implementation, and support. The competitive landscape is dynamic, with established players and emerging companies vying for market share through strategic partnerships, product innovations, and geographic expansion. North America currently holds a significant market share, driven by high adoption rates and technological advancements, but regions like Asia-Pacific are expected to witness substantial growth in the coming years due to increasing digitalization and rising awareness of crisis management needs. The market faces certain restraints, such as high initial investment costs and the complexity of integrating these systems into existing infrastructure. However, the long-term benefits of improved resilience and reduced crisis-related losses are expected to outweigh these challenges, driving continued market growth. The continued growth trajectory of the Crisis Management Software market is further substantiated by the escalating demand for robust and scalable solutions across diverse industry verticals. Factors such as heightened regulatory compliance requirements and the imperative for organizations to safeguard their reputation and brand image in the face of crises are further bolstering market expansion. The competitive landscape is characterized by both established players offering comprehensive solutions and niche providers catering to specific crisis management needs. This competitive intensity is fostering innovation and driving down costs, making crisis management software more accessible to a broader range of organizations. The global nature of crises necessitates the development of solutions that can effectively manage events across various geographic locations and time zones. The market’s future trajectory hinges on the continued advancements in data analytics and AI, enabling more predictive and proactive crisis management capabilities. Furthermore, the increasing focus on integrating crisis management software with other enterprise systems will enhance efficiency and improve overall risk management strategies.

The number of billion-dollar disasters stood at 131 events in the period between 2010 and 2019. This is double the number in the previous decade. While increased costs due to the disasters are likely due to higher exposure of vulnerable high-value assets, climate change also plays a role in the intensity and frequency of some climatological events.

Abstract

The purpose of the SEPHER data set is to allow for testing, assessing and generating new analysis and metrics that can address inequalities and climate injustice. The data set was created by Tedesco, M., C. Hultquist, S. E. Char, C. Constantinides, T. Galjanic, and A. D. Sinha.

Methodology

SEPHER draws upon four major source datasets: CDC Social Vulnerability Index, FEMA National Risk Index, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, and Evictions datasets. The data from these source datasets have been merged, cleaned, and standardized and all of the variables documented in the data dictionary.

CDC Social Vulnerability Index

CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) dataset is a dataset prepared for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the purpose of assessing the degree of social vulnerability of American communities to natural hazards and anthropogenic events. It contains data on 15 social factors taken or derived from Census reports as well as rankings of each tract based on these individual factors, groups of factors corresponding to four related themes (Socioeconomic, Household Composition & Disability, Minority Status & Language, and Housing Type & Transportation) and overall. The data is available for the years 2000, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.

FEMA National Risk Index

The National Risk Index (NRI) dataset compiled by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) consists of historic natural disaster data from across the United States at a tract-level. The dataset includes information about 18 natural disasters including earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, volcanic activity and many others. Each disaster is detailed out in terms of its frequency, historic impact, potential exposure, expected annual loss and associated risk. The dataset also includes some summary variables for each tract including the total expected loss in terms of building loss, human loss and agricultural loss, the population of the tract, and the area covered by the tract. It finally includes a few more features to characterize the population such as social vulnerability rating and community resilience.

Home Mortgage Disclosure Act

The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) dataset contains loan-level data for home mortgages including information on applications, denials, approvals, and institution purchases. It is managed and expanded annually by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau based on the data collected from financial institutions. The dataset is used by public officials to make decisions and policies, uncover lending patterns and discrimination among mortgage applicants, and investigate if lenders are serving the housing needs of the communities. It covers the period from 2007 to 2017.

Evictions

The Evictions dataset is compiled and managed by the Eviction Lab at Princeton University and consists of court records related to eviction cases in the United States between 2000 and 2016. Its purpose is to estimate the prevalence of court-ordered evictions and compare eviction rates among states, counties, cities, and neighborhoods. Besides information on eviction filings and judgments, the dataset includes socioeconomic and real estate data for each tract including race/ethnic origin, household income, poverty rate, property value, median gross rent, rent burden, and others.

The global emergency water maker market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing concerns about water scarcity, climate change, and the rising need for reliable water sources in disaster relief and remote areas. The market size in 2025 is estimated at $850 million, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.5% from 2025 to 2033. This growth is fueled by several key factors. Firstly, advancements in technology are leading to more efficient and portable water makers, expanding their application across various sectors. Secondly, the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters are highlighting the critical need for readily available emergency water solutions. Finally, governmental initiatives and investments in disaster preparedness are further bolstering market expansion. Significant market segments include portable drying tent water makers and portable space heater water makers, catering to both military and civilian applications. Companies such as Hatenboer, Planet Water, and Aquamate are key players, continually innovating to improve water purification efficiency and accessibility. The North American market currently holds the largest share, driven by high demand and technological advancements. However, significant growth potential exists in developing regions across Asia Pacific and the Middle East & Africa, particularly as infrastructure development and awareness of water scarcity increase. The market's growth trajectory is expected to remain positive throughout the forecast period (2025-2033), propelled by continued technological advancements, increasing urbanization, and a heightened focus on water security. While challenges exist, such as high initial investment costs for some technologies and the need for regular maintenance, the overall market outlook remains optimistic. The ongoing expansion of the market will likely be shaped by the continued development of sustainable and cost-effective water purification technologies, an increase in government regulations emphasizing water safety, and a growing consumer awareness regarding the importance of access to clean water during emergencies. The market is ripe with opportunities for innovative companies to develop new solutions tailored to specific needs and contexts.

In 2020, climate change-related disasters in Colombia cost a total of 160 million U.S. dollars. In 2011, two large floods and one wet mass displacement event occurred, resulting in a total cost of 2.32 billion U.S. dollars that year. Additionally, the frequency of climate change-related disasters in Colombia has been increasing.

In 2024, a total of 1,374 earthquakes with magnitude of five or more were recorded worldwide as of December that year. The Ring of Fire Large earthquakes generally result in higher death tolls in developing countries or countries where building codes are less stringent. China has suffered from a number of strong earthquakes that have resulted in extremely high death tolls. While earthquakes occur around the globe along the various tectonic plate boundaries, a significant proportion occur around the basin of the Pacific Ocean, in what is referred to as the Ring of Fire due to the high degree of tectonic activity. Many of the countries in the Ring of Fire, including Japan, Chile, the United States and New Zealand, led the way in earthquake policy and science as a result. The impacts of earthquakes The tragic loss of life is not the only major negative effect of earthquakes, a number of earthquakes have caused billions of dollars worth of damage to infrastructure and private property. The high cost of damage in the 2011 Fukushima and Christchurch earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand respectively demonstrates that even wealthy, developed countries who are experienced in dealing with earthquakes are ill-equipped when the large earthquakes hit.

In 2023, tornadoes resulted in approximately 1.38 billion U.S. dollars worth of damage across the United States. This was an increase of almost 95 percent in comparison to the previous year. The North American country's economic damage caused by tornadoes peaked in 2011, at nearly 9.5 billion U.S. dollars. That same year, the number of fatalities due to tornadoes in the United States was also the highest.

Michigan had the most expensive car insurance premiums at 2,352 U.S. dollars for minimum coverage in 2023, though the premiums in many states fell in that year. The annual premium in Florida also fell by almost 1,000 U.S. dollars in 2023. This trend occurred in many high premium states.

Why it varies state by state

The huge variance in premiums between states is due to the difference in state laws, the percentage of uninsured drivers in the state, the frequency of natural disasters and claim rates. For instance, Michigan has a no-fault car insurance system, which means that claims are more common. This drives up the cost of insurance for all drivers, because insurers need to pay out more money in claims.

Male drivers also pay more

There is also a difference between premiums among different age groups. In 2023, 20-year old male drivers paid roughly 15 U.S. dollars more per month than 20-year old female drivers did. This is due to the higher incidence of accidents in amongst young male drivers. This means that young drivers in states which already have higher premiums must pay a lot for car insurance.

Throughout 2024, Brazil reported nearly 279,000 wildfire outbreaks, by far the highest figure in South America. Bolivia registered the second-largest number of wildfires in the region that year, at over 90,000. On the other hand, 276 wildfires were detected in Uruguay during the reported period, the lowest number amongst South American countries and territories. The lungs of the world Spanning nine different countries, the Amazon rainforest makes up approximately 40 percent of South America. Predominantly encompassed by Brazil, the government has made some efforts towards protecting what is left of the world's most abundant tropical rainforest. Over five million square kilometers of land area lie under a special regime designated as the Legal Amazon in Brazil. Nevertheless, wildfires in the region remain a cause for concern. In 2024, over 192,000 outbreaks were registered in the Legal Amazon, accounting for more than half of the country's occurrences that year. Brazil's blind ambition At the heart of the issue of wildfires is deforestation as a technique to expand land for farming and pastures. Along with the incremental rise in wildfires, the Amazon's deforestation rate has seen a continual increase for most of the decade. As Brazil climbs global markets to become the leading producer of soybean and beef, the country's agricultural ambitions have led to the lightening of environmental restrictions and the re-allocation of land for farming purposes. In turn, the area planted with crops in the Legal Amazon has nearly tripled since 2000.