The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is ending its practice of maintaining a publicly accessible database that tracked billion-dollar weather and climate disasters. This database, which has been compiled annually, provided detailed information on the economic impact of major weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts, across the United States.
NOAA officials cited resource constraints as the primary reason for discontinuing the database. The agency stated that maintaining the database required significant resources that could be better allocated to other critical areas of its mission.
The database has been a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and the public, providing insights into the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events and their associated costs. Its discontinuation raises concerns about the future availability of comprehensive data on these disasters and the potential impact on efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Experts worry that this decision will make it harder to understand the true cost of climate change and prepare for future events. The future of disaster tracking remains uncertain.
NOAA to Discontinue Billion-Dollar Disaster Database
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced it will no longer maintain its database of billion-dollar weather and climate disasters. This database, a widely cited resource, tracked the economic impact of major weather events across the United States. NOAA cited resource constraints as the reason for discontinuing the database. The decision raises concerns about tracking and understanding the increasing costs of extreme weather.
Source: Read the original article at CBS