List of disasters by cost
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Disasters can have high costs associated with responding to and recovering from them. This page lists the estimated economic costs of relatively recent disasters.
The costs of disasters vary considerably depending on a range of factors, such as the geographical location where they occur. When a large disaster occurs in a wealthy country, the financial damage may be large, but when a comparable disaster occurs in a poorer country, the actual financial damage may appear to be relatively small. This is in part due to the difficulty of measuring the financial damage in areas that lack insurance. For example, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, with a death toll of around 230,000 people, cost a "mere" $15 billion,[1] whereas in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, in which 11 people died, the damage was six times higher.
The most expensive disaster in human history is the Chernobyl disaster, costing an estimated $700 billion.[2] Chernobyl's circumstances make it a unique but particularly devastating situation that is unlikely to ever happen again. Estimations have only increased over time, with the recent figure coming from the release of new government data up to 2016.[3] Furthermore, the cost is expected to perpetually increase for several thousand years as cleanup operations and the economic impact of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone continue indefinitely.[4] The most expensive natural disaster is the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, costing an estimated $360 billion.[5]
Over $1 billion
This table lists disasters which are estimated to have an economic cost of at least 1 billion United States dollars without taking inflation into account.
| Event | Cost ($ billion) | Fatalities | Type | Year | Nation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal | Inflated | |||||
| Chernobyl disaster | $700[6] | $2056 | 30–16,000 | Contamination (radioactive) | 1986 |  Soviet Union ( ,  ,  ) |
| 2010 Northern Hemisphere heat waves | $500 (estimated)[citation needed] | $715.6 | 55,000+ | Heatwave | 2010 | Africa, Asia, Europe and North America |
| 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami + Fukushima nuclear disaster | $360[7][8][5] | $515.2 | 19,759 (1 confirmed from Radiation) | Undersea megathrust earthquake, tsunami, contamination (radioactive) | 2011 |  Japan |
| Great Hanshin earthquake | $200[9] | $422.6 | 5,502–6,434 | Earthquake | 1995 | Japan |
| 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes | $157.8[10][11] | $157.8 | 59,488–62,013 | Earthquake | 2023 | West Asia ( Turkey,  Syria) |
| Sellafield radioactive releases | $154[12] | $154 | 100 to 240 | Contamination (radioactive) | 1950–2023 |  United Kingdom |
| 2008 Sichuan earthquake | $130[13] | $194.4 | 87,587 | Earthquake | 2008 |  China |
| Hurricane Katrina | $125[14] | $206.1 | 1,392 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 |  United States,  Bahamas |
| Hurricane Harvey | $125[14] | $164.2 | 107 | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | Americas (,  ,  ,  , others) |
| Hurricane Ian | $112[14] | $123.2 | 161 | Tropical cyclone | 2022 | North America (,  ,  , others) |
| 2020 South Asian floods | $105[15][16] | $130.6 | 6,511 | Flood | 2020 | South Asia ( ,  ,  , others) |
| Hurricane Maria | $91.6[14] | $120.3 | 3,059[17] | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | North America ( ,  ,  , others) |
| Hurricane Helene | $78.7[18] | $80.8 | 225 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | North America (, , , others) |
| Hurricane Ida | $75[19] | $89.1 | 107 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | North America (, , , others) |
| 2019–20 Australian bushfire season | $69[20] | $85.8 | 451 | Wildfire | 2019–20 |  Australia |
| Hurricane Sandy | $68.7[14] | $96.3 | 254 | Tropical cyclone | 2012 | North America (,  , , others) |
| Hurricane Irma | $64.8[14] | $85.1 | 134 | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | North America (,  , , others) |
| 1988–1990 North American drought | $60–$79 (estimated)[21] | $147.9–$194.7 | 4,800–17,000 (estimated) | Drought | 1988–90 | United States,  Canada |
| Deepwater Horizon oil spill | $60–$100[22] | $88.6–$147.6 | 11 | Contamination (oil) | 2010 | United States |
| January 2025 Southern California wildfires | $57[23] | $57 | 30 | Wildfire | 2025 | United States |
| 2021 European floods | $54[24] | $64.2 | 243 | Flood | 2021 | Europe ( ,  ,  , others) |
| 2012–2013 North American drought | $49.6–$56.1[25] | $68.6–$77.5 | 104 | Drought | 2012–13 | United States, Canada |
| 2010 China floods | $51.4[26] | $75.9 | 3,189 | Flood | 2010 | China,  North Korea |
| 1994 Northridge earthquake | $49[27] | $106.4 | 57 | Earthquake | 1994 | United States |
| 2015 Southeast Asian haze | $47[28] | $63.8 | 100,300[29] | Wildfire, subsequent haze | 2015 | Southeast Asia ( ,  ,  , others) |
| 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes | $46[30] | $61.7 | 273 | Earthquake | 2016 | Japan |
| 2011 Thailand floods | $45.7[31] | $65.4 | 815 | Flood | 2011 |  Thailand |
| 2023 South Asian floods | $41.6[32] | $44 | 2,309 | Flood | 2023 | South Asia (, , , others) |
| 2022 European heatwaves | $40.2[33] | $44.2 | 24,501 | Heatwave | 2022 | Europe (,  , , others) |
| 2011 Christchurch earthquake | $40[34] | $57.2 | 185 | Earthquake | 2011 |  New Zealand |
| 2022 Pakistan floods | $40[35] | $44 | 1,700 | Flood | 2022 | Pakistan |
| Hurricane Ike | $38[14] | $56.8 | 214 | Tropical cyclone | 2008 | North America (, , , others) |
| 2020 China floods | $32[36][37] | $39.8 | 278[36] | Flood | 2020 | China |
| March 2012 North American heat wave | $30 (estimated)[citation needed] | $42.1 | 4 | Heatwave | 2012 | North America (, ) |
| 2012 North American heat wave | $30 (estimated)[citation needed] | $42.1 | 104 | Heatwave | 2012 | North America (, ) |
| Typhoon Doksuri | $28.5[citation needed] | $30.1 | 137 | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | Southeast Asia (,  ,  , others) |
| 2004 Chūetsu earthquake | $28[38][39] | $47.7 | 68 | Earthquake | 2004 | Japan |
| Hurricane Wilma | $27.4[14] | $45.2 | 87 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | North America (, , , others) |
| Hurricane Andrew | $27.3[14] | $62.6 | 65 | Tropical cyclone | 1992 | United States |
| February 13–17, 2021 North American winter storm | $26.5[40] | $31.5 | 237[41][42][43][44] | Winter storm, infrastructure failure (electric) | 2021 | North America (, , ) |
| Hurricane Ivan | $26.1[14] | $44.5 | 124 | Tropical cyclone | 2004 | North America (,  ,  , others) |
| Hurricane Michael | $25.1[45] | $32.2 | 74 | Tropical cyclone | 2018 | North America (, ,  , others) |
| 2018 California wildfires | $24.0[25] | $30.8 | 103 | Wildfire | 2018 | United States |
| 2011 Sikkim earthquake | $22.3[46] | $31.9 | 111 | Earthquake | 2011 | Southern Asia (,  , , others) |
| 2016 China floods | $22[47] | $29.5 | 449 | Flood | 2016 | China |
| September 11 terrorist attacks | $21.8–$135[48] | $39.6–$245.5 | 2,996 | Terror attack | 2001 | United States |
| Storm Daniel | $21.1[49] | $22.3 | 5,951–20,000 | Tropical cyclone, dam failure | 2023 |  Libya,  Greece |
| 2021 Henan floods | $20.9[50] | $24.8 | 398 (official confirmed) | Flood | 2021 | China |
| 1980 Irpinia earthquake | $20[51] | $78.2 | 4,900 | Earthquake | 1980 |  Italy |
| Cyclone Senyar | $19.8[citation needed] | $19.8 | 1,435-2,206 | Tropical cyclone | 2025 | Southeast Asia (, , ) |
| 2002 European floods | $19.2 | $34.4 | 232 | Flood | 2002 | Central Europe ( , ,  , others) |
| Hurricane Laura | $19.1[36][52] | $23.8 | 77 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | North America (,  , , others) |
| Hurricane Rita | $18.5[14] | $30.5 | 97–125 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | United States |
| Cyclone Lothar | $17.6[53] | $34 | 140 | Windstorm | 1999 | Western Europe (, , , others) |
| Typhoon Hagibis | $17.3[54] | $21.8 | 139 | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | Japan |
| Hurricane Charley | $16.9[14] | $28.8 | 35 | Tropical cyclone | 2004 | North America (, , ) |
| 2012 Nigeria floods | $16.9[55] | $23.7 | 363 | Flood | 2012 |  Nigeria |
| 2006 European heatwave | $16.3[56] | $24.4 | 3,418 | Heatwave | 2006 | Europe (, , , others) |
| 2009 L'Aquila earthquake | $16.0[57] | $24 | 308 | Earthquake | 2009 | Italy |
| Hurricane Otis | $16.0[58] | $18 | 52 or more | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | Mexico |
| Typhoon Yagi | $15.8[citation needed] | $16.2 | 815 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | Southeast Asia ( , ,  , , others) |
| 2012 Northern Italy earthquakes | $15.8[59] | $22.2 | 27 | Earthquake | 2012 | Italy |
| 2013 European floods | $15.6[60] | $21.6 | 25 | Flood | 2013 | Europe (,  , , others) |
| Cyclone Amphan | $15.5[61][62] | $19.3 | 128[63] | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | Eastern South Asia (,  , , others) |
| Hurricane Matthew | $15.1[64][65] | $20.3 | 731 | Tropical cyclone | 2016 | North America (, , , others) |
| Great Flood of 1993 | $15–$20[66] | $33.4–$44.6 | 47 | Flood | 1993 | United States |
| Cyclones Daria, Vivian, and Wiebke | $15[67] | $37 | 197 | Windstorm | 1990 | Western Europe (, , , others) |
| 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami | $15[1] | $25.6 | 230,000–280,000 | Earthquake, tsunami | 2004 | Southeast Asia (,  , , others) |
| 2010 Russian heat wave | $15[68] | $22.1 | 56,000 | Wildfire, heatwave | 2010 | Russia |
| October 2017 Northern California wildfires | $15[69][70][better source needed] | $19.7 | 44 | Wildfire | 2017 | United States |
| 1980 United States heat wave | $15–$19[citation needed] | $58.6–$74.2 | 1,250–10,000 (estimated) | Heat wave | 1980[citation needed] | |
| 2010 Chile earthquake | $15–$30[71] | $22.1–$44.3 | 525 | Earthquake | 2010 |  Chile |
| 2020 Beirut explosion | $15[72] | $18.7 | 218 | Ammonium nitrate explosion | 2020 |  Lebanon |
| 2024 European floods | $14.9[73] | $15.3 | 337+ | Flood | 2024 | Europe (,  , , others) |
| 2023 Western North America heat wave | $14.8[74] | $15.6 | 995 | Heatwave | 2023 | North America (, , ) |
| 2003 European heatwave | $14.5[75] | $25.4 | 72,000 | Heatwave | 2003 | Europe (, , , others) |
| 1988 Armenian earthquake | $14.2[76] | $38.7 | 38,000 | Earthquake | 1988 |  Armenia ( Soviet Union) |
| Hurricane Irene | $14.2[14] | $20.3 | 58 | Tropical cyclone | 2011 | North America (, , , others) |
| Typhoon Jebi | $13[77] | $16.7 | 21 | Tropical cyclone | 2018 | East Asia (, , , others) |
| Cyclone Nargis | $12.9[78] | $19.3 | 138,366 | Tropical cyclone | 2008 | Myanmar |
| November 2015 Paris attacks | $12.7[79] | $17.3 | 130 | Terror attack | 2015 | France |
| 2015 South India floods | $12[80] | $16.3 | 506 | Flood | 2015 | India |
| 2020 Zagreb earthquake | $11.7[81] | $14.6 | 1 | Earthquake | 2020 |  Croatia,  Slovenia |
| August 2020 Midwest derecho | $11.5[82] | $14.3 | 4[82] | Derecho | 2020 | United States |
| August 2016 Central Italy earthquake | $11[83] | $14.8 | 299 | Earthquake | 2016 | Italy |
| 2023 Emilia-Romagna floods | $11[84] | $11.6 | 17 | Flood | 2023 | Italy |
| 2024 Spanish floods | $11[85] | $11.3 | 232 | Flood | 2024 | Spain |
| 2025 Myanmar earthquake | $11[86] | $11 | 5,456 | Earthquake | 2025 | Indochina (, , , others) |
| Typhoon Fitow | $10.4[87] | $14.4 | 12 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | China |
| 2011 Super Outbreak + Hackleburg–Phil Campbell and Tuscaloosa–Birmingham tornadoes | $10.2[25] | $14.6 | 348 | Tornado outbreak | 2011 | United States |
| 2021 Western North America heat wave | $10.1[74] | $12 | 1,400 | Heat wave | 2021 | Canada, United States |
| 2011 North American heat wave | $10–$11 (estimated)[citation needed] | $14.3–$15.7 | 22 | Heatwave | 2011 | North America (, ) |
| 2016 Louisiana floods | $10–$15[88] | $13.4–$20.1 | 13 | Flood | 2016 | United States |
| Typhoon Mireille | $10[89] | $23.6 | 64 | Tropical cyclone | 1991 | Japan |
| 1999 Jiji earthquake | $10[90] | $19.3 | 2,415 | Earthquake | 1999 | Taiwan |
| 2007 Chūetsu earthquake | $10[91] | $15.5 | 11 | Earthquake | 2007 | Japan |
| April 2015 Nepal earthquake | $10[92] | $13.6 | 8,964 | Earthquake | 2015 | Southern Asia (, , , others) |
| Cyclone Kyrill | $10[67] | $15.5 | 44 | Windstorm | 2007 | Western Europe (, , , others) |
| June 2008 Midwest floods | $10[25] | $15 | 16 | Flood | 2008 | United States |
| 1976 Tangshan earthquake | $10[25] | $56.6 | 242,419–655,000 | Earthquake | 1976 | China |
| Typhoon Faxai | $10[93] | $12.6 | 3 | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | Japan, Wake Island |
| 2014 Ludian earthquake | $9.91[94] | $13.5 | 615–727 | Earthquake | 2014 | China |
| 2018 Japan floods | $9.86 (official estimated) [citation needed] |
$12.4 | 238 (official confirmed) | Flood | 2018 | Japan |
| Hurricane Frances | $9.8[14][95][96][97] | $16.7 | 50 | Tropical cyclone | 2004 | North America (, ) |
| Hurricane Hugo | $9.5[14] | $24.7 | 60 | Tropical cyclone | 1989 | North America (, , , others) |
| Hurricane Georges | $9.4[14] | $18.6 | 604 | Tropical cyclone | 1998 | North America (, , , others) |
| Typhoon Lekima | $9.28[98] | $11.7 | 105 | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | Southeast Asia (, , , others) |
| Cyclone Gabrielle | $9.2[99] | $9.7 | 11 | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | New Zealand |
| 2022 Nigeria floods | $9.12[100] | $10 | 612 | Flood | 2022 | Nigeria |
| Tropical Storm Allison | $9[101] | $16.4 | 55 | Tropical cyclone | 2001 | United States, Canada |
| Typhoon Songda | $9[102] | $15.3 | 28 | Tropical cyclone | 2004 | Japan |
| 2022 Fukushima earthquake | $8.8[103] | $9.7 | 4 | Earthquake | 2022 | Japan |
| 1999 İzmit earthquake | $8.5[104] | $16.4 | 17,127–18,373 | Earthquake | 1999 | Turkey |
| Hurricane Gustav | $8.3[14] | $12.4 | 153 | Tropical cyclone | 2008 | North America (, , , others) |
| Hurricane Eta | $8.3[36] | $10.3 | 189 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | Caribbean basin (,  , , others) |
| Storm Kristin | $8.3[105][106] | $8.3 | 15 | Extratropical cyclone | 2026 |  Portugal Spain |
| 2010 Haiti earthquake | $8.1–$14[107][108] | $12–$20.7 | 100,000–220,000 | Earthquake | 2010 | Haiti |
| Cyclone Fani | $8.1[109] | $10.2 | 89 | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | India, Bangladesh |
| 1990 Manjil–Rudbar earthquake | $8[110] | $19.7 | 45,000 | Earthquake | 1990 |  Iran |
| 2017 Puebla earthquake | $8[111] | $10.5 | 370 | Earthquake | 2017 | Mexico |
| Hurricane Jeanne | $7.9[14] | $13.5 | 3,035 | Tropical cyclone | 2004 | North America (, , , others) |
| 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire | $7.61[112][113] | $10.2 | 2 | Wildfire | 2016 | Canada |
| 2022 China heat wave | $7.6[114] | $8.4 | 50,900[115] | Heatwave | 2022 | China |
| 2023 Slovenia floods | $7.6[116] | $8 | 7 | Flood | 2023 | Julian Alps (, , ) |
| 2001 Gujarat earthquake | $7.5[117] | $13.6 | 20,023 | Earthquake | 2001 | India, Pakistan |
| 2021 Pacific Northwest floods | $7.5[118] | $8.9 | 5 | Flood | 2021 | Canada, United States |
| 2024 Noto earthquake | >$7.4 (estimated)[119] | >$7.6 | 705 | Earthquake | 2024 | Japan |
| Hurricane Sally | $7.3[82] | $9.1 | 5[82] | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | United States |
| Tornado outbreak sequence of May 19–27, 2024 | $7.3[120] | $7.5 | 31 | Tornado outbreak | 2024 | United States |
| Typhoon Rammasun | $7.13[121] | $9.7 | 196 | Tropical cyclone | 2014 | Southeast Asia (, , , others) |
| 2023 Al Haouz earthquake | $7[122] | $7.4 | 2,960 | Earthquake | 2023 |  Morocco |
| Exxon Valdez oil spill | $7[123] | $18.2 | 0 | Contamination (oil) | 1989 | North America (, ) |
| Typhoon Nina + 1975 Banqiao Dam failure | $6.7[124] | $40.1 | 229,000 | Tropical cyclone, dam failure | 1975 | China, Taiwan |
| Hurricane Floyd | $6.5[14] | $12.6 | 74 | Tropical cyclone | 1999 | North America (, , ) |
| 2007 United Kingdom floods | $6.5[125] | $10.1 | 13 | Flood | 2007 | United Kingdom |
| Typhoon Hato | $6.41[126][127][128] | $8.4 | 24 | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | Southeast Asia (,  , , others) |
| Space Shuttle Columbia disaster | $6.4[129] | $11.2 | 7 | Space flight accident | 2003 | United States |
| Typhoon Saomai-Osang | $6.3[130] | $11.5 | 28 | Tropical cyclone | 2000 | East Asia (, ,  ) |
| Black Saturday bushfires | $6.3[20] | $9.5 | 173 | Wildfire | 2009 | Australia |
| 2017 Iran–Iraq earthquake | $6.2[131] | $8.1 | 630 | Earthquake | 2017 | Iran,  Iraq |
| Typhoon Morakot | $6.2[132] | $9.3 | 789 | Tropical cyclone | 2009 | Southeast Asia (, , , others) |
| Hurricane Beryl | $6.2[133] | $6.4 | 70 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | Caribbean basin (, ,  , , others) |
| Hurricane Mitch | $6.1[14] | $12 | 11,374+ | Tropical cyclone | 1998 | North America (,  , , others) |
| Cyclone Xynthia | $6.1[67] | $9 | 75 | Windstorm | 2010 | Western Europe (, , , others) |
| 2020 Petrinja earthquake | $6.1[134] | $7.6 | 7 | Earthquake | 2020 | Balkans (, , , others) |
| Tornado outbreak of May 6–10, 2024 | $6.1[120] | $6.3 | 6 | Tornado outbreak | 2024 | United States |
| 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake | $6[135] | $15.6 | 63 | Earthquake | 1989 | United States |
| Typhoon Prapiroon | $6[136] | $11.2 | 75 | Tropical cyclone | 2000 | Northeast Asia (, , , others) |
| Northeast blackout of 2003 | $6[137] | $10.5 | 11 | Infrastructure failure (electric) | 2003 | United States, Canada |
| Cyclone Klaus | $6[67] | $9 | 26 | Windstorm | 2009 | Southeastern Europe (, , , others) |
| 2013 Alberta floods | $6[138] | $8.3 | 5 | Flood | 2013 | Canada |
| Typhoon Shanshan | $6[139] | $6.2 | 8 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | Japan, South Korea |
| Tornado outbreak of March 31 – April 1, 2023 | $5.7[140] | $6 | 33 | Tornado outbreak | 2023 | United States |
| 2020 Kyushu floods | $5.67[141] | $7.1 | 77 | Flood | 2020 | Japan |
| Cyclone Gudrun | $5.5[67] | $9.1 | 24 | Windstorm | 2005 | North Europe (,  ,  , others) |
| Hurricane Isabel | $5.5[14] | $9.6 | 51 | Tropical cyclone | 2003 | United States |
| 1993 Storm of the Century | $5.5[142] | $12.3 | 270[142] | Winter storm | 1993 | United States |
| 2023 Hawaii wildfires | $5.5[120] | $5.8 | 102 | Wildfire | 2023 | United States |
| 2006 North American heat wave | $5.3[citation needed] | $8.5 | 225 | Heatwave | 2006 | North America (, ) |
| 2005 Kashmir earthquake | $5.2[143] | $8.6 | 86,000–87,351 | Earthquake | 2005 | Pakistan , India |
| 1980 El Asnam earthquake | $5.2[144] | $20.3 | 5,000 | Earthquake | 1980 |  Algeria |
| Hurricane Dorian | $5.1[145][146][147] | $6.4 | 84[146][147] | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | North America (, , , others) |
| 1931 China floods | $5.07[148] | $107.3 | 422,499–4,000,000 | Flood | 1931 | China |
| 1985 Mexico City earthquake | $5[149] | $15 | 10,000–35,000 | Earthquake | 1985 | Mexico |
| Typhoon Herb | $5[150] | $10.3 | 284–590 | Tropical cyclone | 1996 | East Asia (, , ) |
| 2003 Boumerdès earthquake | $5[51] | $8.8 | 2,266 | Earthquake | 2003 | Algeria |
| 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull | $5[151] | $7.4 | 0 | Volcanic eruption | 2010 |  Iceland, Northern Hemisphere (ash cloud only) |
| Tropical Storm Imelda | $5[152] | $6.3 | 5[152] | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | United States |
| 2025 Tibet earthquake | $5[153] | $5 | 126 | Earthquake | 2025 | Southern Asia (, , ) |
| 2019 Karnataka floods | $4.95[154] | $6.2 | 61 | Flood | 2019 | India |
| 2001 eastern North America heat wave | $4.8+[citation needed] | $9 | 95 | Heat wave | 2001[citation needed] | United States |
| 2014 Southeast Europe floods | $4.8[155] | $6.5 | 86 | Flood | 2014 | Southeast Europe ( , , , others) |
| 2018 Kerala floods | $4.8[156] | $6.2 | 483 | Flood | 2018 | India |
| 2021–2022 Malaysian floods | $4.77[157] | $5.2 | 54 | Flood | 2022 | Malaysia |
| Hurricane Opal | $4.7[14] | $9.9 | 63 | Tropical cyclone | 1995 | North America (, , , others) |
| 1997 Umbria and Marche earthquake | $4.67[158] | $9.4 | 11 | Earthquake | 1997 | Italy |
| Typhoon Haiyan | $4.6[159][160][161] | $6.4 | 6,329–7,403 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | Southeast Asia (, , , others) |
| 2022–2023 California floods | $4.6[162] | $4.9 | 22 | Flood | 2022–23 | United States |
| 1979 Montenegro earthquake | $4.5[163] | $20 | 136 | Earthquake | 1979 |  Yugoslavia ( ,  , ) |
| 1997 Central European flood | $4.5[164] | $9 | 114 | Flood | 1997 | Central Europe
( |
| 1997 Indonesian forest fires + 1997 Southeast Asian haze + Garuda Indonesia Flight 152 | $4.47[165] | $9 | 240 | Wildfire, subsequent haze and plane crash | 1997 | Southeast Asia (, , , others) |
| 1999 Odisha cyclone | $4.44[166] | $8.6 | 9,887 | Tropical cyclone | 1999 | South Asia (, , , others) |
| 2020 Sudan floods | $4.43[167] | $5.5 | 100 | Flood | 2020 |  Sudan |
| Cyclone Gonu | $4.42[168] | $6.9 | 78 | Tropical cyclone | 2007 |  Oman, Iran |
| Hurricane Zeta | $4.4[169] | $5.5 | 9 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | North America and the Antiles (, , , others) |
| Typhoon Mawar | $4.3[170] | $4.5 | 6 | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | West Pacific basin (,  , , others) |
| Cyclone Phailin | $4.26[171] | $5.9 | 46 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | South Asia (, , , others) |
| 1999 Athens earthquake | $4.2[172] | $8.1 | 143 | Earthquake | 1999 | Greece |
| Typhoon Rusa | $4.2[173] | $7.5 | 238 | Tropical cyclone | 2002 | East Asia (, , , others) |
| Hurricane Manuel | $4.2[174] | $5.8 | 123 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | Mexico |
| Tornado outbreak sequence of May 2003 | $4.1[25] | $7.2 | 42 | Tornado | 2003 | United States |
| 2019 Iran floods | $4.1[175] | $5.2 | 77 | Flood | 2019 | Iran |
| Great Storm of 1987 | $4[67] | $11.3 | 22 | Windstorm | 1987 | Western Europe (, , , others) |
| 2000 Southern United States heat wave | $4[67] | $7.5 | 140 | Heat wave | 2000 | United States |
| 2017 Chiapas earthquake | $4[176] | $5.3 | 98 | Earthquake | 2017 | Mexico, Guatemala |
| Hurricane Dennis | $3.98[177][178] | $6.6 | 88 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | North America and the Antiles (, , , others) |
| 1983 Spanish floods | $3.9[179] | $12.6 | 34 | Flood | 1983 | Spain |
| Hurricane Stan | $3.9[180] | $6.4 | 1,673 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | Central America (, ,  , others) |
| Hurricane Karl | $3.9[181] | $5.8 | 22 | Tropical cyclone | 2010 | Mexico,  Belize |
| Tornado outbreak of December 10–11, 2021 | $3.9[182] | $4.6 | 90 | Tornado | 2021 | United States |
| Cyclone Chido | $3.9[183] | $4 | 172+ | Cyclone | 2024 | South-west Africa ( , ,  , others) |
| Typhoon Mangkhut | $3.74[184] | $4.8 | 134 | Tropical cyclone | 2018 | Southeast Asia (, , , others) |
| 2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods | $3.7[185] | $3.8 | 181 | Flood | 2024 |  Brazil,  Uruguay |
| Hurricane Isabel | $3.6[186] | $6.3 | 51 | Tropical cyclone | 2003 | North America and the Antiles (, , , others) |
| Cyclone Yasi | $3.6[187] | $4.6 | 7 | Tropical cyclone | 2011 | Australia |
| Cyclone Hudhud | $3.58[188] | $4.9 | 124 | Tropical cyclone | 2014 | India, Nepal |
| Typhoon Utor | $3.55[189] | $4.9 | 97 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | China, Philippines |
| Cyclone Matmo–Bulbul | $3.54[190] | $4.5 | 43 | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | South Asia (, , , others) |
| Vargas tragedy | $3.5[191] | $6.8 | 10,000–30,000 | Flood, landslide and mudflow | 1999 | Venezuela |
| 2016 Kaikōura earthquake | $3.5[192] | $4.7 | 2 | Earthquake | 2016 | New Zealand |
| Hurricane Idalia | $3.5[193] | $3.7 | 12 | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | North America (,  , , others) |
| Cyclone Vardah | $3.37[194] | $4.5 | 47 | Tropical cyclone | 2016 | Indian Ocean basin (, ,  , others) |
| 2022 eastern Australia floods | $3.33[195] | $3.7 | 27 | Flood | 2022 | Australia |
| Hurricane Luis | $3.3[196] | $7 | 19 | Tropical cyclone | 1995 | North America and the Antiles (,  , , others) |
| 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake | $3.3[197] | $4.2 | 41 | Earthquake | 2018 | Japan |
| 1976 Çaldıran–Muradiye earthquake | $3.2[198] | $18.1 | 5,000 | Earthquake | 1976 | Turkey, Iran |
| Space Shuttle Challenger disaster | $3.2[199] | $9.4 | 7[200] | Space flight accident | 1986 | United States |
| Typhoon Winnie | $3.2[201] | $6.4 | 372 | Tropical cyclone | 1997 | East Asia (, , , others) |
| 2010 Central European floods | $3.14[202] | $4.6 | 37 | Flood | 2010 | Central Europe ( , , , others) |
| Hurricane Isaac | $3.11[203][204] | $4.4 | 41 | Tropical cyclone | 2012 | North America and the Antiles (, , , others) |
| 1976 Moro Gulf earthquake | $3.1[205] | $17.5 | 8,000 | Earthquake | 1976 | Philippines |
| Hurricane Iniki | $3.1[14] | $7.1 | 6 | Tropical cyclone | 1992 | United States |
| 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake | $3.1[206] | $5 | 5,749 | Earthquake | 2006 | Indonesia |
| 2019–20 Puerto Rico earthquakes | $3.1[207] | $3.9 | 4 | Earthquake | 2020 | Puerto Rico |
| 2023 Canadian wildfires | $3.1[208] | $3.3 | 8 | Wildfire | 2023 | Canada, United States |
| Hurricane Delta | $3.09[209] | $3.8 | 6 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | North and Central America (, , , others) |
| Hurricane Fiona | $3.09[210][211] | $3.4 | 29 | Tropical cyclone | 2022 | North America (, , , others) |
| 1964 Niigata earthquake | $3.0[212] | $31.1 | 36 | Earthquake | 1964 | Japan |
| Hurricane Alicia | $3.0[213] | $9.7 | 21 | Tropical cyclone | 1983 | United States |
| Hurricane Gilbert | $3.0[14] | $8.2 | 318 | Tropical cyclone | 1988 | North America (, , , others) |
| 2016 Ecuador earthquake | $3.0[214] | $4 | 676 | Earthquake | 2016 | Latin America ( ,  ,  ) |
| 2019 Arkansas River floods | $3.0[215] | $3.8 | 5 | Flood | 2019 | United States |
| Cyclone Yaas | $2.99[216] | $3.6 | 20 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | South Asia (, , , others) |
| June 2012 North American derecho | $2.9[25] | $4.1 | 22 | Derecho | 2012 | United States |
| 2019 Midwestern U.S. floods | $2.9[25] | $3.7 | 3 | Flood | 2019 | United States |
| Tropical Storm Lee | $2.8[217] | $4 | 18 | Tropical cyclone | 2011 | United States |
| 2011 Joplin tornado | $2.8[218] | $4 | 158 | Tornado | 2011 | United States |
| Cyclone Debbie | $2.73[219] | $3.6 | 14 | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | Australia, New Zealand |
| AZF chemical plant explosion | $2.68[220] | $4.9 | 29 | Explosion | 2001 | France |
| 2010 Canterbury earthquake | $2.63[221] | $3.9 | 2 | Earthquake | 2010 | New Zealand |
| 1989 Newcastle earthquake | $2.6[222] | $6.8 | 13 | Earthquake | 1989 | Australia |
| Tornado outbreak sequence of May 2019 | $2.5[25] | $3.1 | 8 | Tornado | 2019 | United States |
| 2017 Montana wildfires | $2.5[25] | $3.3 | 2 | Drought, wildfire | 2017 | United States |
| 2017 Minneapolis hailstorm | $2.5[25] | $3.3 | 0 | Hailstorm | 2017 | United States |
| Hurricane John | $2.5[223] | $2.6 | 29 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | Mexico |
| 2024 Hualien earthquake | $2.5[224] | $2.6 | 19 | Earthquake | 2024 | Eastern Asia (, , ) |
| Hurricane Michelle | $2.43[225] | $4.4 | 48 | Tropical cyclone | 2001 | North and Central America (, , , others) |
| Severe weather sequence of July 13–16, 2024 | $2.4[120] | $2.5 | 5 | Derecho, tornado outbreak, flood | 2024 | United States |
| Typhoon Gaemi | $2.31[226][227] | $2.4 | 126 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | Southeast Asia (, , , others) |
| Cyclone Sidr | $2.3[228] | $3.6 | 15,000 | Tropical cyclone | 2007 | Southern Asia (, , , others) |
| 2009 Sumatra earthquakes | $2.3[229] | $3.5 | 1,115 | Earthquake | 2009 | Indonesia |
| Typhoon Matsa | $2.23[230] | $3.7 | 25 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | East Asia (, , , others) |
| 2022 Luding earthquake | $2.23[231] | $2.5 | 93 | Earthquake | 2022 | China |
| Storm Ciarán | $2.22[232] | $2.3 | 21 | Windstorm | 2023 | Europe (, , , others) |
| 2017 Denver hailstorm | $2.2[25] | $2.9 | 0 | Hailstorm | 2017 | United States |
| 2011 Van earthquakes | $2.2[233] | $3.1 | 642 | Earthquake | 2011 | Turkey |
| Cyclone Mocha | $2.2[234] | $2.3 | 463–564 | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | Southern Asia (, , , , others) |
| Cyclone Roanu | $2.13[235] | $2.9 | 135 | Tropical cyclone | 2016 | South Asia (, , , others) |
| Hurricane Agnes | $2.1[236] | $16.2 | 128 | Tropical cyclone | 1972 | North America and the Antiles (, , , others) |
| Cyclones BOB 03 and Yemyin | $2.1[237][238] | $3.3 | 983 | Tropical cyclone | 2007 | South Asia (, ,  ) |
| Tornado outbreak of March 6–7, 2017 | $2.1[25] | $2.8 | 0 | Tornado | 2017 | United States |
| 2021 eastern Australia floods | $2.1[239] | $2.5 | 5 | Flood | 2021 | Australia |
| Cyclone Komen | $2.06[240][241] | $2.8 | 167 | Tropical cyclone | 2015 | South Asia (, , ) |
| 2023 Jishishan earthquake | $2.05[242] | $2.2 | 151 | Earthquake | 2023 | China |
| Typhoon In-fa | $2.04[243] | $2.4 | 6 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | East Asia (, , , others) |
| Teton Dam disaster | $2[244] | $11.3 | 11 | Dam failure | 1976 | United States |
| 1977 Vrancea earthquake | $2[245] | $10.6 | 1,700 | Earthquake | 1977 | Black Sea basin (,  ,  , others) |
| Hurricane Joan–Miriam | $2[246] | $5.4 | 337 | Tropical cyclone | 1988 | Central and South America (,  , , others) |
| 1999 Colombia earthquake | $2[247] | $3.9 | 1,900–5,800 | Earthquake | 1999 | Colombia |
| December Storm | $2[248] | $3.9 | 20 | Windstorm | 1999 | Central Europe (, , ) |
| 2001 Nisqually earthquake | $2[249] | $3.6 | 1 | Earthquake | 2001 | United States |
| 2007 European heatwave | $2 (estimated)[citation needed] | $3.1 | 500+ | Heatwave | 2007 | Europe (, , , , , ,  , , , , , ) |
| 2007 Asian heat wave | $2 (estimated)[citation needed] | $3.1 | 923 | Heatwave | 2007 | Asia (, , , , , , , others) |
| Costa Concordia disaster | $2[250] | $2.8 | 33 | Maritime disaster | 2012 | Italy |
| 2013 Moore tornado | $2[251] | $2.8 | 26 | Tornado | 2013 | United States |
| 2022 Afghanistan floods | $2[252] | $2.2 | 670 | Flood | 2022 | Afghanistan |
| 2024 Persian Gulf floods | $2[253] | $2.1 | 46 | Flood | 2024 | Persian Gulf basin (, ,  , others) |
| Hurricane Debby | $2[254] | $2.1 | 10 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | North America and Antiles (, , , others) |
| 2003 Tokachi earthquake | $1.9[255] | $3.3 | 1 | Earthquake | 2003 | Japan |
| Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse | $1.9[256] | $1.9 | 6 | Bridge collapse | 2024 | United States |
| Cyclone Aila | $1.83[257] | $2.7 | 339 | Tropical cyclone | 2009 | Bangladesh, India |
| Typhoon Hinnamnor | $1.81[258] | $2 | 20 | Tropical cyclone | 2022 | East Asia (, , , others) |
| Hurricane Fifi–Orlene | $1.8[259] | $11.8 | 8,210 | Tropical cyclone | 1974 | Central America (, , , others) |
| 2011 Groundhog Day blizzard | $1.8[260] | $2.6 | 36[260] | Winter storm | 2011 | North America (, , ) |
| 2023 North India floods | $1.8[261] | $1.9 | 422 | Flood | 2023 | India |
| Hurricane David | $1.79[262] | $7.9 | 2,078 | Tropical cyclone | 1979 | North America and the Antiles (, , , others) |
| Hurricane Frederic | $1.77[263] | $7.9 | 12 | Tropical cyclone | 1979 | North America and the Antiles (, , , others) |
| Cyclone Jal | $1.73[264] | $2.6 | 118 | Tropical cyclone | 2010 | South and Southeast Asia (, , , others) |
| 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami | $1.71[265] | $2.2 | 4,340 (confirmed) | Earthquake and tsunami | 2018 | Indonesia |
| Piper Alpha explosion | $1.7[266] | $4.7 | 165 | Explosion (oil rig) | 1988 | United Kingdom |
| 1991 Bangladesh cyclone | $1.7[267] | $4 | 138,866 | Tropical cyclone | 1991 | Southern Asia (, , , others) |
| Deep Depression ARB 02 | $1.64[268] | $2.5 | 180 | Tropical cyclone | 2008 |  Yemen |
| Typhoon Man-yi | $1.62[269] | $2.2 | 6 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | Japan |
| 2016 Kaikōura earthquake | $1.62[270] | $2.2 | 2 | Earthquake | 2016 | New Zealand |
| 2001 El Salvador earthquakes | $1.6[271] | $2.9 | 1,259 | Earthquake | 2001 | Latin America (, , ) |
| 2007 Greek forest fires | $1.6–$3 (estimated)[citation needed] | $2.5 – $4.7 | 85 | Wildfire | 2007 | Greece |
| Hurricane Dolly | $1.6[272][273] | $2.4 | 22 | Tropical cyclone | 2008 | North and Central America (, , , others) |
| 2013 Lushan earthquake | $1.6[274] | $2.2 | 216 | Earthquake | 2013 | China |
| 2021 Haiti earthquake | $1.6[275] | $1.9 | 2,248 | Earthquake | 2021 | Haiti |
| Hurricane Allen | $1.57 | $6.1 | 269 | Tropical cyclone | 1980 | North America (, , , , others) |
| 2020 Central Vietnam floods | $1.57[276] | $2 | 233 | Flood | 2020 | Indochina (,  <  ) |
| Cyclone Tauktae | $1.57[277] | $1.9 | 174 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | South Asia (, , , others) |
| 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods | $1.57[278] | $1.7 | 436 | Flood | 2022 |  South Africa |
| 2020 Elazığ earthquake | $1.56[279] | $1.9 | 41 | Earthquake | 2020 | Turkey |
| 2019 Dallas tornado | $1.55[280] | $2 | 0 | Tornado | 2019 | United States |
| Cyclone Freddy | $1.53[281] | $1.6 | 1,434 | Tropical cyclone | 2023 | Southern Africa (, ,  , others) |
| Autumn 2000 Western Europe floods | $1.52[282] | $2.8 | 20 | Flood | 2000 | Western Europe (, , , others) |
| Hurricane Juan | $1.5[283] | $4.5 | 12 | Tropical cyclone | 1985 | United States, Canada |
| Hurricane Bob | $1.5[284] | $3.5 | 17 | Tropical cyclone | 1991 | North Atlantic Ocean (, , ) |
| 2003 Bam earthquake | $1.5[285] | $2.6 | 34,000 | Earthquake | 2003 | Iran |
| Typhoon Talim | $1.5[286] | $2.5 | 172 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | Southeast Asia (, , ) |
| Hurricane Ingrid | $1.5[287] | $2.1 | 32 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | Mexico, United States |
| Cyclone Mekunu | $1.5[288] | $1.9 | 31 | Tropical cyclone | 2018 | Arabian Peninsula (, ,  ) |
| Brumadinho dam disaster | $1.5[289] | $1.9 | 270 | Dam failure | 2019 | Brazil |
| Typhoon Hagupit | $1.5[290] | $1.9 | 17 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | East Asia (, , , others) |
| Hurricane Francine | $1.5[291] | $1.5 | 0 | Tropical cyclone | 2024 | United States, Mexico |
| Typhoon Jongdari | $1.48[292][293] | $1.9 | 0 | Tropical cyclone | 2018 | Japan, China |
| Tropical Storm Etau (2009) | $1.44[294] | $2.2 | 28 | Tropical cyclone | 2009 | Japan |
| 2023 Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods | $1.43[295] | $1.5 | 4 | Flood | 2023 | New Zealand |
| Hurricane Camille | $1.42[3] | $12.5 | 259 | Tropical cyclone | 1969 | North America and the Antiles (, , , others) |
| 2020 Nashville tornado | $1.418[296][297] | $1.8 | 5 | Tornado | 2020 | United States |
| Cyclone Winston | $1.4[298] | $1.9 | 44 | Tropical cyclone | 2016 |  Fiji |
| Cyclone Idai | $1.4[299] | $1.8 | 1,593 | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | Southern Africa (,  , , others) |
| Hurricane Iota | $1.4[36] | $1.7 | 84 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | Latin America (, , others) |
| 2021 Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption | $1.4[300] | $1.7 | 1 | Volcanic eruption | 2021 | Spain |
| 2009 Messina floods and mudslides | $1.39[301] | $2.1 | 31 | Flood and mudslides | 2009 | Italy |
| Hurricane Elena | $1.3[302] | $3.9 | 9 | Tropical cyclone | 1985 | United States, Cuba |
| Tropical Storm Fred | $1.3[260] | $1.5 | 7 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | North America and the Antiles (, , , others) |
| 2021 Fukushima earthquake | $1.3[303] | $1.5 | 1 | Earthquake | 2021 | Japan |
| 1993 Latur earthquake | $1.3[104] | $2.9 | 9,748 | Earthquake | 1993 | India |
| Hurricane Isidore | $1.28[304][305] | $2.3 | 22 | Tropical cyclone | 2002 | North and Central America (, , , others) |
| 2011 European floods | $1.25[306][307] | $1.8 | 17 | Flood | 2011 | Europe and North Africa (, ,  , others) |
| Hurricane Odile | $1.25[308] | $1.7 | 18 | Tropical cyclone | 2014 | Mexico, United States |
| Cedar Fire | $1.24–$2[309] | $2.2 – $3.5 | 15 | Wildfire | 2003 | United States |
| 2020 Hyderabad floods | $1.23[310] | $1.5 | 98 | Flood | 2020 | India |
| 2020 Calgary hailstorm | $1.2–$1.4[36][311][312] | $1.5 – $1.7 | 0 | Hailstorm | 2020 | Canada |
| 1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak | $1.217[313] | $12.4 | 266 | Tornado outbreak | 1965 | United States |
| 1996 Oman cyclone | $1.2[314] | $2.5 | 341 | Tropical cyclone | 1996 | Arabian Sea basin (, , ) |
| January 2011 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides | $1.2[315] | $1.7 | 916 | Flood, mudslides | 2011 | Brazil |
| Angry Summer | $1.2 (estimated)[citation needed] | $1.7 | 0 | Heatwave | 2012–13 | Australia |
| Cyclone Veronica | $1.2[316] | $1.5 | 0 | Tropical cyclone | 2019 | Australia,  East Timor |
| Hurricane Elsa | $1.2[260] | $1.4 | 13 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | North America and the Antiles (, ,  , others) |
| July–August 2022 United States floods | $1.2[317] | $1.3 | 44 | Flood | 2022 | United States |
| 2023 São Paulo floods and landslides | $1.2[318] | $1.3 | 65 | Flood, landslide | 2023 | Brazil |
| 2024 Houston derecho | $1.2[120] | $1.2 | 8 | Derecho | 2024 | United States |
| Typhoon Fred | $1.18[319] | $2.6 | 3,063 | Tropical cyclone | 1994 | East Asia (, , ) |
| Typhoon Haitang | $1.17[320] | $1.9 | 20 | Tropical cyclone | 2005 | East Asia (, , ) |
| 2010 Baja California earthquake | $1.15[321] | $1.7 | 4 | Earthquake | 2010 | Mexico, United States |
| Cyclone Ita | $1.15[322][323] | $1.6 | 40 | Tropical cyclone | 2014 | Oceania ( , , , others) |
| Typhoon Bopha | $1.1[324] | $1.5 | 1,901 | Tropical cyclone | 2012 | Philippines |
| Three Mile Island accident | $1.1[325] | $4.9 | 0 | Contamination (radiation) | 1979 | United States |
| 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens | $1.1[326] | $4.3 | 57 | Volcanic eruption, subsequent landslides and mudslides | 1980 | United States |
| Tropical Storm Agatha | $1.1[327] | $1.6 | 204 | Tropical cyclone | 2010 | Central America (, , , others) |
| 2013 North India floods | $1.1[328] | $1.5 | 6,054 | Flood | 2013 | India, Nepal |
| May 2021 South Central United States flooding | $1.1[329] | $1.3 | 5 | Flood | 2021 | United States |
| Hurricane Nicholas | $1.1[330] | $1.3 | 4 | Tropical cyclone | 2021 | United States, Mexico |
| East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment | $1.1[331] | $1.2 | 0 | Contamination (hazardous materials) | 2023 | United States |
| 2019 Albania earthquake | $1.09[332] | $1.4 | 51 | Earthquake | 2019 | Albania |
| 2015 Tianjin explosions | $1.08 (official estimated) [citation needed] |
$1.5 | 173 (official confirmed) | Explosion | 2015 | China |
| Typhoon Vamco | $1.06[333] | $1.3 | 102 | Tropical cyclone | 2020 | Southeast Asia (, , others) |
| Cyclone Garance | $1.05[334] | $1.1 | 5 | Tropical cyclone | 2025 | Southwest Indian Ocean (, ,  ) |
| Tropical Storm Alberto | $1.03[335] | $2.2 | 33 | Tropical cyclone | 1994 | United States |
| Typhoon Damrey | $1.03[336] | $1.4 | 142 | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | Southeast Asia (, , , others) |
| 1923 Great Kantō earthquake | $1[337] | $18.9 | 142,800 | Earthquake | 1923 | Japan |
| 1948 Fukui earthquake | $1[338] | $13.4 | 3,769 | Earthquake | 1948 | Japan |
| Vajont Dam disaster | $1[339] | $10.5 | 2,500 | Landslide, subsequent megatsunami and dam failure | 1963 | Italy |
| 1963 Skopje earthquake | $1[340] | $10.5 | 1,100 | Earthquake | 1963 | North Macedonia ( Yugoslavia) |
| 1972 Nicaragua earthquake | $1[341] | $7.7 | 10,000 | Earthquake | 1972 | Nicaragua |
| 1976 Guatemala earthquake | $1[342] | $5.7 | 23,000 | Earthquake | 1976 | Guatemala, Belize |
| Typhoon Ketsana | $1[343] | $1.5 | 921 | Tropical cyclone | 2009 | Southeast Asia (, , , ) |
| Armero tragedy | $1[344] | $3 | 22,540 | Volcano eruption, mudslides | 1985 | Colombia |
| Surfside condominium collapse | $1 | $1.2 | 98 | Structure failure | 2021 | United States |
| 1978 Thessaloniki earthquake | $1[110] | $4.9 | 50 | Earthquake | 1978 | Greece, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria |
| 1983 Sea of Japan earthquake | $1[345] | $3.2 | 104 | Earthquake | 1983 | Japan |
| 1985 Algarrobo earthquake | $1[346] | $3 | 177 | Earthquake | 1985 | Chile |
| 1987 Ecuador earthquakes | $1[347] | $2.8 | 1,000–5,000 | Earthquake | 1987 | Ecuador |
| 1988 Nepal earthquake | $1[348] | $2.7 | 709 | Earthquake | 1988 | Nepal, India |
| 1992 Cairo earthquake | $1[349] | $2.3 | 561 | Earthquake | 1992 |  Egypt |
| 1994 Páez River earthquake | $1[350] | $2.2 | 1,100 | Earthquake | 1994 | Colombia |
| 1998 Adana–Ceyhan earthquake | $1[351] | $2 | 145 | Earthquake | 1998 | Turkey |
| 1999 Düzce earthquake | $1[352] | $1.9 | 845–894 | Earthquake | 1999 | Turkey |
| 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado | $1[251] | $1.9 | 41 | Tornado | 1999 | United States |
| 2014 South Napa earthquake | $1[353] | $1.4 | 1 | Earthquake | 2014 | United States |
| Cyclone Luban | $1[354] | $1.3 | 14 | Tropical cyclone | 2018 | Arabian Sea basin (, , ) |
| Hurricane Nicole | $1[355] | $1.1 | 11 | Tropical cyclone | 2022 | North America and the Antiles (, , , others) |
| 2024 Chile wildfires | $1[356] | $1 | 137–507 | Wildfire | 2024 | Chile |
Under $1 billion
This table lists notable disasters which are estimated to have an economic cost of less than 1 billion United States dollars without taking inflation into account. This includes historical disasters, such as the Great Chicago Fire, which would surpass the value of $1 billion in modern currency.
Note: All damage figures are listed in millions of United States dollars.
| Event | Cost ($ millions) | Fatalities | Type | Year | Nation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal | Inflated | |||||
| Cyclone Akash | $982[357] | $1525 | 14 | Tropical cyclone | 2007 | South Asia (, , ) |
| 2013 Washington, Illinois tornado | $935[358][359] | $1292 | 3 | Tornado | 2013 | United States |
| 2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires | $922[360] | $1237 | 14 | Wildfire | 2016 | United States |
| Daulatpur–Saturia tornado | $1.5-900[361][362][AI-retrieved source] | $3.9 – $2337.6 | 1,300 | Tornado | 1989 | Bangladesh |
| 2020 Korea floods | $875[363] | $1089 | 32 | Flood | 2020 | South Korea |
| 1981 Gulf of Corinth earthquakes | $812[364] | $2876 | 22 | Earthquake | 1981 | Greece |
| 2019 Sichuan earthquake | $812[365] | $1023 | 13 | Earthquake | 2019 | China |
| 1978 Miyagi earthquake | $800[366] | $3949 | 28 | Earthquake | 1978 | Japan |
| Cyclone Nisha | $800[367] | $1196 | 204 | Tropical cyclone | 2008 | India, Sri Lanka |
| 2009 southeastern Australia heat wave | $800 (estimated)[citation needed] | $1200.6 | 374 | Heatwave | 2009 | Australia |
| Cyclone Helen | $796[368] | $1100 | 10 | Tropical cyclone | 2013 | India |
| Hurricane Nate | $787[369][370] | $1034 | 48 | Tropical cyclone | 2017 | North and Central America (, ,  , others) |
| Hurricane Flora | $773[371] | $8129 | 7,193 | Tropical cyclone | 1963 | North and Central America (, , , others) |
| 2021 South Moravia tornado | $716[372] | $851 | 6 | Tornado | 2021 | Czech Republic |
| 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption | $700[373] | $1655 | 800 | Volcano | 1991 | Philippines |
| 2011 Slave Lake wildfire | $700[374] | $1002 | 1 | Wildfire | 2011 | Canada |
| 1995 Aigio earthquake | $660[375] | $1395 | 26 | Earthquake | 1995 | Greece |
| 2021 Maduo earthquake | $646[376] | $768 | 20 | Earthquake | 2021 | China |
| 5 August 2018 Lombok earthquake | $607[377] | $778 | 563 | Earthquake | 2018 | Indonesia |
| 1974 Super Outbreak + Xenia tornado | $600[378] | $3917 | 335 | Tornado outbreak | 1974 | , United States and Canada |
| 1993 Okushiri earthquake | $600[379] | $1337 | 230 | Earthquake | 1993 | Japan |
| 2015 Illapel earthquake | $600[380] | $815 | 15 | Earthquake | 2015 | Chile,  Argentina |
| Cyclone Tracy | $500 – $600[381] | $3264 – $3917 | 71 | Tropical cyclone | 1974 | Australia |
| 2018 Ponte Morandi collapse | $575[382] | $737 | 43 | Bridge collapse | 2018 | Italy |
| 1960 Valdivia earthquake | $550[383] | $5986 | 6,000 | Earthquake | 1960 | Pacific Rim (, , , others) |
| 2011 Lorca earthquake | $534[384] | $764 | 9 | Earthquake | 2011 | Spain |
| 1970 Ancash earthquake | $530[385] | $4394 | 70,000 | Earthquake | 1970 | Peru |
| 2024 Uqturpan earthquake | $527[365] | $541 | 3 | Earthquake | 2024 | Central Asia (,  ,  , others) |
| 2000 Mozambique flood | $525[386] | $982 | 800 | Flood | 2000 | Mozambique |
| 1906 San Francisco earthquake | $524[387] | $18777 | 3,000 | Earthquake | 1906 | United States |
| I-35W Mississippi River Bridge collapse | $483[388][389][390] – $543[391] | $750 – 843 | 13 | Structure failure | 2007 | United States |
| 2017 Jiuzhaigou earthquake | $500[392] | $657 | 25 | Earthquake | 2017 | China |
| 1971 San Fernando earthquake | $500[393] | $3975 | 65 | Earthquake | 1971 | United States |
| 1984 Romeoville petroleum refinery disaster | $500[394] | $1549 | 17 | Explosion | 1984 | United States |
| 1976 British Isles heatwave | $500[citation needed] | $2829 | 3,000 (estimated) | Heat wave | 1976[citation needed] | United Kingdom, Ireland |
| October 1999 Mexico floods | $491.3[395] | $950 | 636 | Flood | 1999 | Central America (, , , others) |
| Typhoon Tip | $484[396] | $2147 | 99 | Tropical cyclone | 1979 | East Asia (, , , others) |
| 2011 Shan earthquake | $475[397] | $680 | 151 | Earthquake | 2011 | Indochina (, , , others) |
| 1995 Kozani–Grevena earthquake | $450[398] | $951 | 0 | Earthquake | 1995 | Greece |
| 2007 Peru earthquake | $450[399] | $699 | 595 | Earthquake | 2007 | Peru |
| 2014 Aegean Sea earthquake | $450[400] | $612 | 3 | Earthquake | 2014 | Southeastern Europe (, , ) |
| 1964 Alaska earthquake | $400[401] | $4152 | 139 | Earthquake | 1964 | United States, Canada |
| 1990 Carlentini earthquake | $400[402] | $986 | 19 | Earthquake | 1990 | Italy |
| 2020 Aegean Sea earthquake | $400[36] | $498 | 119 | Earthquake and tsunami | 2020 | Greece, Turkey |
| Ariane 5 Flight 501 | $370[403] | $760 | 0 | Space flight accident | 1996 | French Guiana |
| 1990 Luzon earthquake | $369[404] | $909 | 1,621 | Earthquake | 1990 | Philippines |
| New York City blackout of 1977 | $350[405] | $1860 | 1 | Infrastructure failure (electric) | 1977 | United States |
| 1935 Yangtze flood | $333[406] | $7820 | 145,000 | Flood | 1935 | China |
| Mars Climate Orbiter & Mars Polar Lander | $328[407] | $634 | 0 | Space flight accident | 1999 | United States |
| Hurricane Keith | $319[408] | $596 | 68 | Tropical cyclone | 2000 | Central America (, , , others) |
| 1995 Neftegorsk earthquake | $300[409] | $634 | 1,989 | Earthquake | 1995 | Russia |
| Hitomi breakup | $273[410] | $366 | 0 | Space flight accident | 2016 | Japan |
| Typhoon Vera | $261[411] | $2883 | 5,098 (official confirmed) | Tropical cyclone | 1959 | Japan |
| 2022 West Java earthquake | $256[412] | $282 | 635 | Earthquake | 2022 | Indonesia |
| 1953 Worcester tornado | $250[413][297] | $3008 | 90 | Tornado | 1953 | United States |
| 1971 Aconcagua earthquake | $250[414] | $1987 | 83 | Earthquake | 1971 | Chile |
| 2024 Port Vila earthquake | $232[415] | $238 | 14+ | Earthquake | 2024 |  Vanuatu |
| Great Chicago Fire | $222[416] | $5966 | 300 | Fire | 1871 | United States |
| 2001 southern Peru earthquake | $215[417] | $391 | 145 | Earthquake | 2001 | Peru |
| 1907 Qaratog earthquake | $200[418] | $6911 | 15,000 | Earthquake | 1907 |  Tajikistan,  Uzbekistan |
| 1985 Kayrakkum earthquake | $200[419] | $599 | 29 | Earthquake | 1985 | Tajikistan |
| 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami | $200[420] | $300 | 189 | Earthquake | 2009 | South Pacific Ocean ( ,  ,  , others) |
| 2006 Queens blackout | $188[citation needed] | $300 | 0 | Power outage | 2006[citation needed] | United States |
| 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption and tsunami | $182[421] | $200 | 7 | Volcanic eruption and tsunami | 2022 | Tonga |
| 2025 Tainan–Chiayi earthquake | $162[422] | $162 | 0 | Earthquake | 2025 | Taiwan |
| 1967 Caracas earthquake | $140[423] | $1448 | 300 | Earthquake | 1967 | Venezuela |
| CryoSat-1 | $118[424] | $195 | 0 | Space flight accident | 2005 | Russia |
| 1970 Bhola cyclone | $86.4[425] | $716 | 300,000 | Tropical cyclone | 1970 | Bangladesh, India |
| 1908 Messina earthquake | $86.3[426] | $3092 | 75,000–82,000 | Earthquake | 1908 | Italy |
| 1997 Cariaco earthquake | $81[427] | $162 | 81 | Earthquake | 1997 | Venezuela |
| 1915 Avezzano earthquake | $60[428] | $1910 | 32,610 | Earthquake | 1915 | Italy |
| 2021 West Sulawesi earthquake | $58.1[429] | $69 | 105 | Earthquake | 2021 | Indonesia |
| 1962 Vallés floods | $44.2 (official estimated)[citation needed] | $470 | 617 (official confirmed) | Flood | 1962[citation needed] | Spain |
| 1936 North American heat wave | $40 (official estimated)[citation needed] | $928 | 5,000+ (estimated) | Heat wave | 1936[citation needed] | United States |
| Sinking of the Titanic | $25[430][431] | $834 | 1,490 – 1,635 | Shipwreck | 1912 | United Kingdom |
| Dust Bowl | $25[citation needed] | $580 | 7,000 (estimated) | Dust storm | 1930–36[citation needed] | United States |
| Mariner 1 | $18.1[432] | $193 | 0 | Space flight accident | 1962 | United States |
