Source: WWF
Over recent years, various regions across the globe have experienced significant natural calamities, some of the most severe in the last decade. These events range from catastrophic wildfires to floods that have inundated vast areas. These extreme weather events have left indelible marks. Here, we present a list of the ten most severe natural disasters from the past decade.

2014 Gulf Coast Freeze Source: The Guardian

Unusually harsh winter conditions struck states including Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia, which are not accustomed to such cold. Temperatures fell by more than 30 degrees Fahrenheit below normal, leading to the cancellation of over 3,000 flights. The unpreparedness of these states led to numerous accidents and emergency state declarations.

2019 Australian Bushfires

Source: WWF

Beginning in September 2019 and continuing into 2020, these fires created severe air pollution and led to hundreds of deaths and the destruction of over 3,000 homes. A prolonged drought and heatwave initially sparked these devastating fires.

2015 Indian Heatwave Source: Unsplash

India faced extraordinary heat in May 2015, with temperatures routinely reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in approximately 2,300 fatalities. Taxi services halted during the hottest hours from 11 AM to 4 PM to avoid heatstroke risks.

2017 Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico Source:

Scientific American

Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, struck Puerto Rico’s southeast coast in September 2017. It crippled the island’s power grid and communications, severely damaged roads, and was linked to 64 officially reported deaths, although the actual number may be much higher.

2018 Sulawesi Earthquake and Tsunami, Indonesia

Source: The New York Times

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia’s coast, affecting over 1.5 million people. It triggered a tsunami that resulted in more than 2,000 deaths and left nearly 212,000 people homeless.

2019 Southern Africa Cyclones Source: Bloomberg

Two severe cyclones, occurring just five weeks apart, inundated Southern Africa, covering 900 square miles with water. These were considered the worst natural disasters in the region for nearly two decades, killing about 600 people and necessitating aid for nearly 2 million.

2022 Hurricane Ian, Florida

Source: Sky News

Hurricane Ian was among the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history, affecting millions across Cuba, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It caused widespread power outages and resulted in the deaths of over 64 people.

2023 Afghanistan Earthquake

Source: PBS

A significant 6.3 magnitude earthquake followed a series of smaller quakes in Afghanistan, injuring 150 people and killing one. It destroyed numerous villages and displaced many families.

2022 Pakistan Flood

Source: Washington Post

The 2022 flood in Pakistan was among the deadliest since the 2020 South Asian floods, submerging a third of the country and impacting 33 million people. The resultant water pollution led to widespread infections among the population.

2024 Canadian Extreme Cold
Source: Trip Savvy

Despite being accustomed to cold weather, Canada faced unexpectedly severe conditions, with record low temperatures forcing ski resort closures in Vancouver and instant freezing of boiling water used as a demonstration by residents. Western Canada saw temperatures drop to negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit.