From Florida to Texas, discover the US states where extreme weather – floods, droughts and high temperatures – is wreaking havoc
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Climate change is getting worse. This is an undeniable fact, with scientists now attributing climate change to an increase in extreme weather events all across the world.
The recent flooding in Texas, US, has highlighted the vulnerability of some of the world’s most developed nations to the effects of a warming climate. Since 1980, the country has experienced 403 extreme weather events, each resulting in at least $1 billion in damages.
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Such extreme weather events are compounded by President Trump’s incessant cuts and layoffs to various agencies that study climate and deal with disasters. The list is extensive: from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the National Weather Service, to labs at NOAA and the US Geological Survey.
According to experts, reducing the workforce by such a large scale is likely to worsen the climate situation in the US, leaving a gap where well-versed and educated professionals once offered solutions to mitigate the issues thrown up by our warming planet.
Here we take a deep dive into the impacts that extreme weather events are having across the US, and which states and regions are particularly affected…
Florida
Within the state, significant hurricane threats continue year on year. For example, back in 2023, Category 4 Hurricane Helene led to damages in excess of $79.6 billion across Florida and the Southeast, leaving 1.3 million homes without power.
Weeks later, Hurricane Milton ravaged Central Florida, destroying more than 125 homes with damages totalling around $34 billion. In particular, the region of Keaton was significantly affected, with around 90 per cent of all homes washed away due to the combination of both hurricanes.
Along with hurricanes, Florida also experiences its fair share of droughts. In May 2025, Florida faced its worst drought in 24 years with rainfall up to 10 inches below average across 84 per cent of the state.
Unsurprisingly, the high frequency of extreme weather events within the state means Florida now has the highest home insurance premiums out of anywhere in the US, averaging around $6,000 per year. To help residents, a $280 million programme known as ‘My Safe Florida Home’ supports homeowners to install impact windows, storm-resistant doors and reinforced roofs to protect against extreme weather.
Already, Trump’s cuts are impacting the ability to monitor weather in Florida. National Weather Services in the state – including the Miami-based National Hurricane Centre – are currently operating with 30 per cent staff shortages.
North Carolina/Mid-Atlantic Region
Earlier this month, central North Carolina saw torrential rainfall – equivalent to two months’ worth – flooding several counties and leading to more than 50 water rescues, dam evacuations and a state of emergency in Orange County. Already, officials have warned of further flash-flood threats.
Even before this, the region was hit by another extreme weather event. Back in May, an atmospheric river brought vast swathes of rain to western North Carolina, Virginia, the Potomac and Allegheny regions, with some areas experiencing up to 10 inches of rain. A rising moisture atmosphere is fuelling these more frequent and intense rainfall events across the Mid-Atlantic..
Texas
Texas takes top spot as the US state with the most billion-dollar disasters – ranging from hurricanes and floods to wildfires – leading to hefty homeowner insurance premiums. Since 1980, the state has endured 190 billion-dollar disasters, averaging 13.6 per year between 2020 and 2024.
Scientists attribute warming air holding more moisture to some of the heavier downpours in Texas, known as ‘500 year floods‘.
Recently, flash floods in Kerr County in Texas led to the deaths of more than 120 people and caused $18–22 billion in damage. Critical failures occurred in the region due to a lack of flood alerts, with messages sent by the National Weather Service unable to reach residents due to poor cell service. Additionally, warning infrastructure in the county remained unfinished despite a previous flood nearby back in 1987.
In total, half of the counties in Texas lack proper mitigation plans, a situation exacerbated by climate change denial and continued cuts for climate projects in the Trump administration.
As well as floods, Texas was hit by dust storms, wildfires, tornadoes and hail earlier this year across its western regions and the Panhandle.
Hawaii
Each year, Hawaii is expected to experience an economic loss of around $1.4 billion due to the combined threats of hurricanes, wildfires, floods and earthquakes.
In January 2025, a powerful winter storm brought heavy rains, flash floods and winds in excess of 120mph to the island. Snow and blizzard conditions were even spotted on volcanoes such as Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, with snowfall reaching 18 to 24 inches.
Hawaii is also no stranger to hurricanes, with August 2024’s Category 1 Hurricane Hone dropping up to 18 inches of rain and producing dangerous surf and rip currents. In total, the hurricane caused $8 million in damages across both infrastructure and agriculture.
According to University of Hawaii researchers, the Pacific Meridional Mode – a lesser-known Pacific climate pattern – can explain the patterns of rainfall on the island (heavy spring downpours followed by dry drought periods).
As well as these extreme weather events, Hawaii also experiences severe wildfire threats. In particular, arid conditions along with invasive grasses and limited evacuation routes all combine to make the likelihood of an extreme wildfire more likely. To mitigate these issues, communities aim to use measures such as utilising sheep to control vegetation and upgrading infrastructure.
Louisiana
From 1980 to 2024, Louisiana experienced 106 billion-dollar disasters – averaging 2.4 per year – with tropical cyclones accounting for 27 events. In the last five years alone, the state averaged nearly 7 such events each year, with losses totalling $50–100 billion. Compared with any other state, it has lost more money – $304 billion – to disasters relative to its GDP and population.
Residents in Louisiana also have the highest annual-per resident losses due to extreme weather events like coastal flooding and hurricanes, sitting at around $556 per person.
Out of all extreme weather events, flooding remains its most persistent threat with 10 major flooding events causing $20–50 billion in damage. To help mitigate these, the state has ongoing projects including $10,000 roof-fortification grants for households living on the coast.
Midwest/Southern states
More than 110 tornadoes swept through 13 states – heavily impacting Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi and Illinois – during the tornado outbreak back in March of this year. At least 40 people were killed, and significant damage was reported across multiple states.
In May, another tornado outbreak occurred, this time hitting Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. A powerful Category 3 storm hit St Louis, killing 5 individuals and causing $1.6 billion in damages.
The region is also home to many floods and storms, experiencing these back in April, particularly in the states of Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee.
Again, a warming, moisture-loaded atmosphere is driving these events, with scientists also reporting these conditions can lead to hail and even dust storms.
