Deadliest Weather
Pat Skinner
11/21/2005
Which of these severe weather events has the highest number of annual weather-related fatalities: Flood, Lightning, Tornado, Heat, Cold, Wind?
The 10-year average for heat-related fatalities is 235, nearly three times the annual average for flood and four times the annual average for lightning and tornado deaths in the same period.
The U.S. Natural Hazard Statistics provide statistical information on fatalities, injuries and damages caused by weather related hazards. These statistics are compiled by the Office of Services and the National Climatic Data Center from information contained in Storm Data, a report comprising data from NWS forecast offices in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats.shtml