Worst Natural Disasters in the US in the Last 10 Years

From May 18 to May 22, 2013, an outbreak of 59 confirmed tornadoes touched down across parts of the Midwest and Plains states considered to be in the “Tornado Alley” corridor. Much of the devastation occurred in Moore, Oklahoma, which was in the path of an EF5 tornado (one bringing wind speeds of more than 200 mph) that ultimately killed 25 people, including 10 children, many of whom were in an elementary school at the time.

From late June to early July, a series of thunderstorms brought sustained high winds to much of the Midwest and mid-Atlantic. The storms affected at least 10 states and Washington D.C., resulting in 28 deaths and $3.3 billion in damage.

In mid-February 2015, a massive winter storm slammed nearly the entire eastern United States. Boston was particularly hard hit. Burying the city in feet of snow, the storm closed off roadways and transportation corridors. Of the total $3.3 billion in damage, $1.1 was in Massachusetts alone.

Over the course of several days in late May 2015, a slow-moving storm system dumped rain on parts of Texas and Oklahoma, resulting in severe flooding. The Blanco River in Texas swelled to more than 40 feet, causing massive property damage. Kansas, Colorado, Arkansas, Ohio, Louisiana, Georgia, and South Carolina were also affected by the storm.

Over several days in late April and early May 2010, six southern states were affected by severe thunderstorms that came with flooding, tornadoes, and hail. Nashville, Tennessee, was particularly hard hit. Nearly 14 inches of rain fell in a 36-hour period, more than double the previous record for the city set over 48 hours. Of the 32 people killed in the storm, 11 died in the Nashville area.