In 2020, the number of climate-related natural disasters causing $1 billion or more in damage hit a new record, according to Bloomberg. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that there were 22 such disasters last year—including wildfires, hurricanes and droughts—surpassing the old record of 16 set in 2017.

Collectively, these events have caused $95 billion in damage, making it the costliest year since 1980. Hurricane Laura in August caused the most damage, $19 billion, though the west coast wildfires, with $16.5 billion in damage, and the mid-west's derecho, with $11 billion, were certainly significant as well. This is on top of the hailstorms, heatwaves and tornadoes that also appeared this year.

The country was already on track to make a new record in October, when it tied the previous one.