In 2011, there were 12 disasters in the U.S. that cost $1 billion or more each. That's a record number, including Hurricane Irene, Mississippi river flooding, wildfires and a rare East Coast earthquake. The National Climatic Data Center says that the total weather damage this year was $52.
A federally declared major disaster means Washington will help pay the costs of recovery. This year, just three states — Michigan, South Carolina and West Virginia — made it through the year without any federally declared disasters.
From Joplin, Mo., to Rutland, Vt., rebuilding continues. It's a task that for many communities will last well into 2012.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDAzMjM2NDYzMDEyMzc1Njk5NjAxNzY3OQ001))
