U.S. Administration Halts Tracking of Billion-Dollar Weather Disaster Costs

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's recent announcement stops vital data collection that impacts policy-making and disaster management.

In a surprising move, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on May 8, 2025, that it will cease tracking the economic costs associated with weather-related disasters that exceed $1 billion in damages. This policy shift is expected to significantly hinder the capabilities of insurance firms, researchers, and government entities as they attempt to analyze and adapt to increasingly frequent and severe disasters like hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires, exacerbated by climate change.

Critics swiftly condemned this decision, pointing to its detrimental effects on understanding the financial ramifications of climate crises. Jesse M. Keenan, an associate professor at Tulane University, highlighted the serious implications for budget planning and infrastructure investments, stating, “Without the database, the U.S. government’s flying blind as to the cost of extreme weather and climate change."

The change is part of a broader trend under the Trump administration, which has focused on reducing or dismantling climate research initiatives. In prior weeks, the administration had dismissed key authors involved in the nation's major climate assessment, cut National Parks grants aimed at climate issues, and proposed significant funding reductions for climate science across multiple federal agencies.

Political responses have reflected widespread concern. Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, criticized the decision, labeling it as “anti-science, anti-safety, and anti-American,” raising alarms about the future of disaster preparedness and the integrity of scientific research under current federal policies. The decision is likely to fuel ongoing debates surrounding climate action and disaster management strategies in the years to come.