Severe Weather Outcomes in the United States 1950-2011
Bobby Sims
2026-02-20
Introduction
The United States National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tracks and records detailed statistics of severe weather outcomes. This study characterizes the human health and economic impacts of severe weather incidences in the U.S. recorded by the NOAA from the time period of 1950-2011. In particular, summarizing the cumulative impacts of human health in domains of fatality and injury and economic damage across domains of crop and property damage, serves to best best inform local and federal offices of emergency management policy development, including allocation of resources toward disaster prevention and response efforts.
Overview/Rationale
Original NOAA dataset StormData was downloaded as a compressed, zipped file and unpacked using the read.csv function into a 90229 x 37 data frame.
Exploratory manipulation included analysis of data frame structure and composition. Data structure as categories were inspected using unique and table functions. Columns containing study relevant information were identified and extracted.
Each unique severe weather incident is recorded with detailed fatality, injuries, crop and property damage data. These are the four categories of interest. Top 50 incidences of fatality, injury are evaluated as well as the top 50 incidences of crop damage and property damage (in dollar amounts). Each of these subsets were then ranked by top 5 cumulative values (within the time frame of the top 50 incidences) according to severe weather type. Fatality and injury data were represented in graphical form in plot “Severe Weather Human Health Impact” whereas crop damage and property damage were presented as “Severe Weather Economic Impact” respectively.
Data Processing
Load necessary packages (tidyverse and patchwork)
Download NOAA dataset. Unpack and designate as data object
download.file("https://d396qusza40orc.cloudfront.net/repdata%2Fdata%2FStormData.csv.bz2", destfile = "StormData.csv.bz2")
Storm_Data <- read.csv("StormData.csv.bz2")Inspect structure and determine relevant data categories
summary(Storm_Data)## STATE__ BGN_DATE BGN_TIME TIME_ZONE
## Min. : 1.0 Length:902297 Length:902297 Length:902297
## 1st Qu.:19.0 Class :character Class :character Class :character
## Median :30.0 Mode :character Mode :character Mode :character
## Mean :31.2
## 3rd Qu.:45.0
## Max. :95.0
##
## COUNTY COUNTYNAME STATE EVTYPE
## Min. : 0.0 Length:902297 Length:902297 Length:902297
## 1st Qu.: 31.0 Class :character Class :character Class :character
## Median : 75.0 Mode :character Mode :character Mode :character
## Mean :100.6
## 3rd Qu.:131.0
## Max. :873.0
##
## BGN_RANGE BGN_AZI BGN_LOCATI END_DATE
## Min. : 0.000 Length:902297 Length:902297 Length:902297
## 1st Qu.: 0.000 Class :character Class :character Class :character
## Median : 0.000 Mode :character Mode :character Mode :character
## Mean : 1.484
## 3rd Qu.: 1.000
## Max. :3749.000
##
## END_TIME COUNTY_END COUNTYENDN END_RANGE
## Length:902297 Min. :0 Mode:logical Min. : 0.0000
## Class :character 1st Qu.:0 NA's:902297 1st Qu.: 0.0000
## Mode :character Median :0 Median : 0.0000
## Mean :0 Mean : 0.9862
## 3rd Qu.:0 3rd Qu.: 0.0000
## Max. :0 Max. :925.0000
##
## END_AZI END_LOCATI LENGTH WIDTH
## Length:902297 Length:902297 Min. : 0.0000 Min. : 0.000
## Class :character Class :character 1st Qu.: 0.0000 1st Qu.: 0.000
## Mode :character Mode :character Median : 0.0000 Median : 0.000
## Mean : 0.2301 Mean : 7.503
## 3rd Qu.: 0.0000 3rd Qu.: 0.000
## Max. :2315.0000 Max. :4400.000
##
## F MAG FATALITIES INJURIES
## Min. :0.0 Min. : 0.0 Min. : 0.0000 Min. : 0.0000
## 1st Qu.:0.0 1st Qu.: 0.0 1st Qu.: 0.0000 1st Qu.: 0.0000
## Median :1.0 Median : 50.0 Median : 0.0000 Median : 0.0000
## Mean :0.9 Mean : 46.9 Mean : 0.0168 Mean : 0.1557
## 3rd Qu.:1.0 3rd Qu.: 75.0 3rd Qu.: 0.0000 3rd Qu.: 0.0000
## Max. :5.0 Max. :22000.0 Max. :583.0000 Max. :1700.0000
## NA's :843563
## PROPDMG PROPDMGEXP CROPDMG CROPDMGEXP
## Min. : 0.00 Length:902297 Min. : 0.000 Length:902297
## 1st Qu.: 0.00 Class :character 1st Qu.: 0.000 Class :character
## Median : 0.00 Mode :character Median : 0.000 Mode :character
## Mean : 12.06 Mean : 1.527
## 3rd Qu.: 0.50 3rd Qu.: 0.000
## Max. :5000.00 Max. :990.000
##
## WFO STATEOFFIC ZONENAMES LATITUDE
## Length:902297 Length:902297 Length:902297 Min. : 0
## Class :character Class :character Class :character 1st Qu.:2802
## Mode :character Mode :character Mode :character Median :3540
## Mean :2875
## 3rd Qu.:4019
## Max. :9706
## NA's :47
## LONGITUDE LATITUDE_E LONGITUDE_ REMARKS
## Min. :-14451 Min. : 0 Min. :-14455 Length:902297
## 1st Qu.: 7247 1st Qu.: 0 1st Qu.: 0 Class :character
## Median : 8707 Median : 0 Median : 0 Mode :character
## Mean : 6940 Mean :1452 Mean : 3509
## 3rd Qu.: 9605 3rd Qu.:3549 3rd Qu.: 8735
## Max. : 17124 Max. :9706 Max. :106220
## NA's :40
## REFNUM
## Min. : 1
## 1st Qu.:225575
## Median :451149
## Mean :451149
## 3rd Qu.:676723
## Max. :902297
## Explore diversity of weather conditions
## [1] "TORNADO" "TSTM WIND"
## [3] "HAIL" "FREEZING RAIN"
## [5] "SNOW" "ICE STORM/FLASH FLOOD"
## [7] "SNOW/ICE" "WINTER STORM"
## [9] "HURRICANE OPAL/HIGH WINDS" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS"
## [11] "RECORD COLD" "HURRICANE ERIN"
## [13] "HURRICANE OPAL" "HEAVY RAIN"
## [15] "LIGHTNING" "THUNDERSTORM WIND"
## [17] "DENSE FOG" "RIP CURRENT"
## [19] "THUNDERSTORM WINS" "FLASH FLOOD"
## [21] "FLASH FLOODING" "HIGH WINDS"
## [23] "FUNNEL CLOUD" "TORNADO F0"
## [25] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS LIGHTNING" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS/HAIL"
## [27] "HEAT" "WIND"
## [29] "LIGHTING" "HEAVY RAINS"
## [31] "LIGHTNING AND HEAVY RAIN" "FUNNEL"
## [33] "WALL CLOUD" "FLOODING"
## [35] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS HAIL" "FLOOD"
## [37] "COLD" "HEAVY RAIN/LIGHTNING"
## [39] "FLASH FLOODING/THUNDERSTORM WI" "WALL CLOUD/FUNNEL CLOUD"
## [41] "THUNDERSTORM" "WATERSPOUT"
## [43] "EXTREME COLD" "HAIL 1.75)"
## [45] "LIGHTNING/HEAVY RAIN" "HIGH WIND"
## [47] "BLIZZARD" "BLIZZARD WEATHER"
## [49] "WIND CHILL" "BREAKUP FLOODING"
## [51] "HIGH WIND/BLIZZARD" "RIVER FLOOD"
## [53] "HEAVY SNOW" "FREEZE"
## [55] "COASTAL FLOOD" "HIGH WIND AND HIGH TIDES"
## [57] "HIGH WIND/BLIZZARD/FREEZING RA" "HIGH TIDES"
## [59] "HIGH WIND AND HEAVY SNOW" "RECORD COLD AND HIGH WIND"
## [61] "RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE" "RECORD HIGH"
## [63] "HIGH WINDS HEAVY RAINS" "HIGH WIND/ BLIZZARD"
## [65] "ICE STORM" "BLIZZARD/HIGH WIND"
## [67] "HIGH WIND/LOW WIND CHILL" "HEAVY SNOW/HIGH"
## [69] "RECORD LOW" "HIGH WINDS AND WIND CHILL"
## [71] "HEAVY SNOW/HIGH WINDS/FREEZING" "LOW TEMPERATURE RECORD"
## [73] "AVALANCHE" "MARINE MISHAP"
## [75] "WIND CHILL/HIGH WIND" "HIGH WIND/WIND CHILL/BLIZZARD"
## [77] "HIGH WIND/WIND CHILL" "HIGH WIND/HEAVY SNOW"
## [79] "HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORD" "FLOOD WATCH/"
## [81] "RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES" "HIGH WIND/SEAS"
## [83] "HIGH WINDS/HEAVY RAIN" "HIGH SEAS"
## [85] "SEVERE TURBULENCE" "RECORD RAINFALL"
## [87] "RECORD SNOWFALL" "RECORD WARMTH"
## [89] "HEAVY SNOW/WIND" "EXTREME HEAT"
## [91] "WIND DAMAGE" "DUST STORM"
## [93] "APACHE COUNTY" "SLEET"
## [95] "HAIL STORM" "FUNNEL CLOUDS"
## [97] "FLASH FLOODS" "DUST DEVIL"
## [99] "EXCESSIVE HEAT" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS/FUNNEL CLOU"
## [101] "WINTER STORM/HIGH WIND" "WINTER STORM/HIGH WINDS"
## [103] "GUSTY WINDS" "STRONG WINDS"
## [105] "FLOODING/HEAVY RAIN" "SNOW AND WIND"
## [107] "HEAVY SURF COASTAL FLOODING" "HEAVY SURF"
## [109] "HEAVY PRECIPATATION" "URBAN FLOODING"
## [111] "HIGH SURF" "BLOWING DUST"
## [113] "URBAN/SMALL" "WILD FIRES"
## [115] "HIGH" "URBAN/SMALL FLOODING"
## [117] "WATER SPOUT" "HIGH WINDS DUST STORM"
## [119] "WINTER STORM HIGH WINDS" "LOCAL FLOOD"
## [121] "WINTER STORMS" "MUDSLIDES"
## [123] "RAINSTORM" "SEVERE THUNDERSTORM"
## [125] "SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS" "SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WINDS"
## [127] "THUNDERSTORMS WINDS" "DRY MICROBURST"
## [129] "FLOOD/FLASH FLOOD" "FLOOD/RAIN/WINDS"
## [131] "WINDS" "DRY MICROBURST 61"
## [133] "THUNDERSTORMS" "FLASH FLOOD WINDS"
## [135] "URBAN/SMALL STREAM FLOODING" "MICROBURST"
## [137] "STRONG WIND" "HIGH WIND DAMAGE"
## [139] "STREAM FLOODING" "URBAN AND SMALL"
## [141] "HEAVY SNOWPACK" "ICE"
## [143] "FLASH FLOOD/" "DOWNBURST"
## [145] "GUSTNADO AND" "FLOOD/RAIN/WIND"
## [147] "WET MICROBURST" "DOWNBURST WINDS"
## [149] "DRY MICROBURST WINDS" "DRY MIRCOBURST WINDS"
## [151] "DRY MICROBURST 53" "SMALL STREAM URBAN FLOOD"
## [153] "MICROBURST WINDS" "HIGH WINDS 57"
## [155] "DRY MICROBURST 50" "HIGH WINDS 66"
## [157] "HIGH WINDS 76" "HIGH WINDS 63"
## [159] "HIGH WINDS 67" "BLIZZARD/HEAVY SNOW"
## [161] "HEAVY SNOW/HIGH WINDS" "BLOWING SNOW"
## [163] "HIGH WINDS 82" "HIGH WINDS 80"
## [165] "HIGH WINDS 58" "FREEZING DRIZZLE"
## [167] "LIGHTNING THUNDERSTORM WINDSS" "DRY MICROBURST 58"
## [169] "HAIL 75" "HIGH WINDS 73"
## [171] "HIGH WINDS 55" "LIGHT SNOW AND SLEET"
## [173] "URBAN FLOOD" "DRY MICROBURST 84"
## [175] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS 60" "HEAVY RAIN/FLOODING"
## [177] "THUNDERSTORM WINDSS" "TORNADOS"
## [179] "GLAZE" "RECORD HEAT"
## [181] "COASTAL FLOODING" "HEAT WAVE"
## [183] "FIRST SNOW" "FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET"
## [185] "UNSEASONABLY DRY" "UNSEASONABLY WET"
## [187] "WINTRY MIX" "WINTER WEATHER"
## [189] "UNSEASONABLY COLD" "EXTREME/RECORD COLD"
## [191] "RIP CURRENTS HEAVY SURF" "SLEET/RAIN/SNOW"
## [193] "UNSEASONABLY WARM" "DROUGHT"
## [195] "NORMAL PRECIPITATION" "HIGH WINDS/FLOODING"
## [197] "DRY" "RAIN/SNOW"
## [199] "SNOW/RAIN/SLEET" "WATERSPOUT/TORNADO"
## [201] "WATERSPOUTS" "WATERSPOUT TORNADO"
## [203] "URBAN/SMALL STREAM FLOOD" "STORM SURGE"
## [205] "WATERSPOUT-TORNADO" "WATERSPOUT-"
## [207] "TORNADOES, TSTM WIND, HAIL" "TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO"
## [209] "TROPICAL STORM" "TROPICAL STORM GORDON"
## [211] "TROPICAL STORM JERRY" "LIGHTNING THUNDERSTORM WINDS"
## [213] "WAYTERSPOUT" "MINOR FLOODING"
## [215] "LIGHTNING INJURY" "URBAN/SMALL STREAM FLOOD"
## [217] "LIGHTNING AND THUNDERSTORM WIN" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS53"
## [219] "URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD" "URBAN AND SMALL STREAM"
## [221] "WILDFIRE" "DAMAGING FREEZE"
## [223] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS 13" "SMALL HAIL"
## [225] "HEAVY SNOW/HIGH WIND" "HURRICANE"
## [227] "WILD/FOREST FIRE" "SMALL STREAM FLOODING"
## [229] "MUD SLIDE" "LIGNTNING"
## [231] "FROST" "FREEZING RAIN/SNOW"
## [233] "HIGH WINDS/" "THUNDERSNOW"
## [235] "FLOODS" "EXTREME WIND CHILLS"
## [237] "COOL AND WET" "HEAVY RAIN/SNOW"
## [239] "SMALL STREAM AND URBAN FLOODIN" "SMALL STREAM/URBAN FLOOD"
## [241] "SNOW/SLEET/FREEZING RAIN" "SEVERE COLD"
## [243] "GLAZE ICE" "COLD WAVE"
## [245] "EARLY SNOW" "SMALL STREAM AND URBAN FLOOD"
## [247] "HIGH WINDS" "RURAL FLOOD"
## [249] "SMALL STREAM AND" "MUD SLIDES"
## [251] "HAIL 80" "EXTREME WIND CHILL"
## [253] "COLD AND WET CONDITIONS" "EXCESSIVE WETNESS"
## [255] "GRADIENT WINDS" "HEAVY SNOW/BLOWING SNOW"
## [257] "SLEET/ICE STORM" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS URBAN FLOOD"
## [259] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS SMALL STREA" "ROTATING WALL CLOUD"
## [261] "LARGE WALL CLOUD" "COLD AIR FUNNEL"
## [263] "GUSTNADO" "COLD AIR FUNNELS"
## [265] "BLOWING SNOW- EXTREME WIND CHI" "SNOW AND HEAVY SNOW"
## [267] "GROUND BLIZZARD" "MAJOR FLOOD"
## [269] "SNOW/HEAVY SNOW" "FREEZING RAIN/SLEET"
## [271] "ICE JAM FLOODING" "SNOW- HIGH WIND- WIND CHILL"
## [273] "STREET FLOOD" "COLD AIR TORNADO"
## [275] "SMALL STREAM FLOOD" "FOG"
## [277] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS 2" "FUNNEL CLOUD/HAIL"
## [279] "ICE/SNOW" "TSTM WIND 51"
## [281] "TSTM WIND 50" "TSTM WIND 52"
## [283] "TSTM WIND 55" "HEAVY SNOW/BLIZZARD"
## [285] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS 61" "HAIL 0.75"
## [287] "THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE" "THUNDERTORM WINDS"
## [289] "HAIL 1.00" "HAIL/WINDS"
## [291] "SNOW AND ICE" "WIND STORM"
## [293] "SNOWSTORM" "GRASS FIRES"
## [295] "LAKE FLOOD" "PROLONG COLD"
## [297] "HAIL/WIND" "HAIL 1.75"
## [299] "THUNDERSTORMW 50" "WIND/HAIL"
## [301] "SNOW AND ICE STORM" "URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOODIN"
## [303] "THUNDERSTORMS WIND" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS"
## [305] "HEAVY SNOW/SLEET" "AGRICULTURAL FREEZE"
## [307] "DROUGHT/EXCESSIVE HEAT" "TUNDERSTORM WIND"
## [309] "TROPICAL STORM DEAN" "THUNDERTSORM WIND"
## [311] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS/ HAIL" "THUNDERSTORM WIND/LIGHTNING"
## [313] "HEAVY RAIN/SEVERE WEATHER" "THUNDESTORM WINDS"
## [315] "WATERSPOUT/ TORNADO" "LIGHTNING."
## [317] "WARM DRY CONDITIONS" "HURRICANE-GENERATED SWELLS"
## [319] "HEAVY SNOW/ICE STORM" "RIVER AND STREAM FLOOD"
## [321] "HIGH WIND 63" "COASTAL SURGE"
## [323] "HEAVY SNOW AND ICE STORM" "MINOR FLOOD"
## [325] "HIGH WINDS/COASTAL FLOOD" "RAIN"
## [327] "RIVER FLOODING" "SNOW/RAIN"
## [329] "ICE FLOES" "HIGH WAVES"
## [331] "SNOW SQUALLS" "SNOW SQUALL"
## [333] "THUNDERSTORM WIND G50" "LIGHTNING FIRE"
## [335] "BLIZZARD/FREEZING RAIN" "HEAVY LAKE SNOW"
## [337] "HEAVY SNOW/FREEZING RAIN" "LAKE EFFECT SNOW"
## [339] "HEAVY WET SNOW" "DUST DEVIL WATERSPOUT"
## [341] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS/HEAVY RAIN" "THUNDERSTROM WINDS"
## [343] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS LE CEN" "HAIL 225"
## [345] "BLIZZARD AND HEAVY SNOW" "HEAVY SNOW AND ICE"
## [347] "ICE STORM AND SNOW" "HEAVY SNOW ANDBLOWING SNOW"
## [349] "HEAVY SNOW/ICE" "BLIZZARD AND EXTREME WIND CHIL"
## [351] "LOW WIND CHILL" "BLOWING SNOW & EXTREME WIND CH"
## [353] "WATERSPOUT/" "URBAN/SMALL STREAM"
## [355] "TORNADO F3" "FUNNEL CLOUD."
## [357] "TORNDAO" "HAIL 0.88"
## [359] "FLOOD/RIVER FLOOD" "MUD SLIDES URBAN FLOODING"
## [361] "TORNADO F1" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS G"
## [363] "DEEP HAIL" "GLAZE/ICE STORM"
## [365] "HEAVY SNOW/WINTER STORM" "AVALANCE"
## [367] "BLIZZARD/WINTER STORM" "DUST STORM/HIGH WINDS"
## [369] "ICE JAM" "FOREST FIRES"
## [371] "THUNDERSTORM WIND G60" "FROST\\FREEZE"
## [373] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS." "HAIL 88"
## [375] "HAIL 175" "HVY RAIN"
## [377] "HAIL 100" "HAIL 150"
## [379] "HAIL 075" "THUNDERSTORM WIND G55"
## [381] "HAIL 125" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS G60"
## [383] "HARD FREEZE" "HAIL 200"
## [385] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS FUNNEL CLOU" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS 62"
## [387] "WILDFIRES" "RECORD HEAT WAVE"
## [389] "HEAVY SNOW AND HIGH WINDS" "HEAVY SNOW/HIGH WINDS & FLOOD"
## [391] "HAIL FLOODING" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS/FLASH FLOOD"
## [393] "HIGH WIND 70" "WET SNOW"
## [395] "HEAVY RAIN AND FLOOD" "LOCAL FLASH FLOOD"
## [397] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS 53" "FLOOD/FLASH FLOODING"
## [399] "TORNADO/WATERSPOUT" "RAIN AND WIND"
## [401] "THUNDERSTORM WIND 59" "THUNDERSTORM WIND 52"
## [403] "COASTAL/TIDAL FLOOD" "SNOW/ICE STORM"
## [405] "BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION" "RIP CURRENTS/HEAVY SURF"
## [407] "FLASH FLOOD/FLOOD" "EXCESSIVE RAIN"
## [409] "RECORD/EXCESSIVE HEAT" "HEAT WAVES"
## [411] "LIGHT SNOW" "THUNDERSTORM WIND 69"
## [413] "HAIL DAMAGE" "LIGHTNING DAMAGE"
## [415] "RECORD TEMPERATURES" "LIGHTNING AND WINDS"
## [417] "FOG AND COLD TEMPERATURES" "OTHER"
## [419] "RECORD SNOW" "SNOW/COLD"
## [421] "FLASH FLOOD FROM ICE JAMS" "TSTM WIND G58"
## [423] "MUDSLIDE" "HEAVY SNOW SQUALLS"
## [425] "HEAVY SNOW/SQUALLS" "HEAVY SNOW-SQUALLS"
## [427] "ICY ROADS" "HEAVY MIX"
## [429] "SNOW FREEZING RAIN" "LACK OF SNOW"
## [431] "SNOW/SLEET" "SNOW/FREEZING RAIN"
## [433] "SNOW DROUGHT" "THUNDERSTORMW WINDS"
## [435] "THUNDERSTORM WIND 60 MPH" "THUNDERSTORM WIND 65MPH"
## [437] "THUNDERSTORM WIND/ TREES" "THUNDERSTORM WIND/AWNING"
## [439] "THUNDERSTORM WIND 98 MPH" "THUNDERSTORM WIND TREES"
## [441] "TORRENTIAL RAIN" "TORNADO F2"
## [443] "RIP CURRENTS" "HURRICANE EMILY"
## [445] "HURRICANE GORDON" "HURRICANE FELIX"
## [447] "THUNDERSTORM WIND 59 MPH" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS 63 MPH"
## [449] "THUNDERSTORM WIND/ TREE" "THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE TO"
## [451] "THUNDERSTORM WIND 65 MPH" "FLASH FLOOD - HEAVY RAIN"
## [453] "THUNDERSTORM WIND." "FLASH FLOOD/ STREET"
## [455] "THUNDERSTORM WIND 59 MPH." "HEAVY SNOW FREEZING RAIN"
## [457] "DAM FAILURE" "THUNDERSTORM HAIL"
## [459] "HAIL 088" "THUNDERSTORM WINDSHAIL"
## [461] "LIGHTNING WAUSEON" "THUDERSTORM WINDS"
## [463] "ICE AND SNOW" "RECORD COLD/FROST"
## [465] "STORM FORCE WINDS" "FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW"
## [467] "FREEZING RAIN SLEET AND" "SOUTHEAST"
## [469] "HEAVY SNOW & ICE" "FREEZING DRIZZLE AND FREEZING"
## [471] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS AND" "HAIL/ICY ROADS"
## [473] "FLASH FLOOD/HEAVY RAIN" "HEAVY RAIN; URBAN FLOOD WINDS;"
## [475] "HEAVY PRECIPITATION" "TSTM WIND DAMAGE"
## [477] "HIGH WATER" "FLOOD FLASH"
## [479] "RAIN/WIND" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS 50"
## [481] "THUNDERSTORM WIND G52" "FLOOD FLOOD/FLASH"
## [483] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS 52" "SNOW SHOWERS"
## [485] "THUNDERSTORM WIND G51" "HEAT WAVE DROUGHT"
## [487] "HEAVY SNOW/BLIZZARD/AVALANCHE" "RECORD SNOW/COLD"
## [489] "WET WEATHER" "UNSEASONABLY WARM AND DRY"
## [491] "FREEZING RAIN SLEET AND LIGHT" "RECORD/EXCESSIVE RAINFALL"
## [493] "TIDAL FLOOD" "BEACH EROSIN"
## [495] "THUNDERSTORM WIND G61" "FLOOD/FLASH"
## [497] "LOW TEMPERATURE" "SLEET & FREEZING RAIN"
## [499] "HEAVY RAINS/FLOODING" "THUNDERESTORM WINDS"
## [501] "THUNDERSTORM WINDS/FLOODING" "THUNDEERSTORM WINDS"
## [503] "HIGHWAY FLOODING" "THUNDERSTORM W INDS"
## [505] "HYPOTHERMIA" "FLASH FLOOD/ FLOOD"
## [507] "THUNDERSTORM WIND 50" "THUNERSTORM WINDS"
## [509] "HEAVY RAIN/MUDSLIDES/FLOOD" "MUD/ROCK SLIDE"
## [511] "HIGH WINDS/COLD" "BEACH EROSION/COASTAL FLOOD"
## [513] "COLD/WINDS" "SNOW/ BITTER COLD"
## [515] "THUNDERSTORM WIND 56" "SNOW SLEET"
## [517] "DRY HOT WEATHER" "COLD WEATHER"
## [519] "RAPIDLY RISING WATER" "HAIL ALOFT"
## [521] "EARLY FREEZE" "ICE/STRONG WINDS"
## [523] "EXTREME WIND CHILL/BLOWING SNO" "SNOW/HIGH WINDS"
## [525] "HIGH WINDS/SNOW" "EARLY FROST"
## [527] "SNOWMELT FLOODING" "HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS"
## [529] "SNOW ACCUMULATION" "BLOWING SNOW/EXTREME WIND CHIL"
## [531] "SNOW/ ICE" "SNOW/BLOWING SNOW"
## [533] "TORNADOES" "THUNDERSTORM WIND/HAIL"
## [535] "FLASH FLOODING/FLOOD" "HAIL 275"
## [537] "HAIL 450" "FLASH FLOOODING"
## [539] "EXCESSIVE RAINFALL" "THUNDERSTORMW"
## [541] "HAILSTORM" "TSTM WINDS"
## [543] "BEACH FLOOD" "HAILSTORMS"
## [545] "TSTMW" "FUNNELS"
## [547] "TSTM WIND 65)" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS/ FLOOD"
## [549] "HEAVY RAINFALL" "HEAT/DROUGHT"
## [551] "HEAT DROUGHT" "NEAR RECORD SNOW"
## [553] "LANDSLIDE" "HIGH WIND AND SEAS"
## [555] "THUNDERSTORMWINDS" "THUNDERSTORM WINDS HEAVY RAIN"
## [557] "SLEET/SNOW" "EXCESSIVE"
## [559] "SNOW/SLEET/RAIN" "WILD/FOREST FIRES"
## [561] "HEAVY SEAS" "DUSTSTORM"
## [563] "FLOOD & HEAVY RAIN" "?"
## [565] "THUNDERSTROM WIND" "FLOOD/FLASHFLOOD"
## [567] "SNOW AND COLD" "HOT PATTERN"
## [569] "PROLONG COLD/SNOW" "BRUSH FIRES"
## [571] "SNOW\\COLD" "WINTER MIX"
## [573] "EXCESSIVE PRECIPITATION" "SNOWFALL RECORD"
## [575] "HOT/DRY PATTERN" "DRY PATTERN"
## [577] "MILD/DRY PATTERN" "MILD PATTERN"
## [579] "LANDSLIDES" "HEAVY SHOWERS"
## [581] "HEAVY SNOW AND" "HIGH WIND 48"
## [583] "LAKE-EFFECT SNOW" "BRUSH FIRE"
## [585] "WATERSPOUT FUNNEL CLOUD" "URBAN SMALL STREAM FLOOD"
## [587] "SAHARAN DUST" "HEAVY SHOWER"
## [589] "URBAN FLOOD LANDSLIDE" "HEAVY SWELLS"
## [591] "URBAN SMALL" "URBAN FLOODS"
## [593] "SMALL STREAM" "HEAVY RAIN/URBAN FLOOD"
## [595] "FLASH FLOOD/LANDSLIDE" "LANDSLIDE/URBAN FLOOD"
## [597] "HEAVY RAIN/SMALL STREAM URBAN" "FLASH FLOOD LANDSLIDES"
## [599] "EXTREME WINDCHILL" "URBAN/SML STREAM FLD"
## [601] "TSTM WIND/HAIL" "Other"
## [603] "Record dry month" "Temperature record"
## [605] "Minor Flooding" "Ice jam flood (minor"
## [607] "High Wind" "Tstm Wind"
## [609] "ROUGH SURF" "Wind"
## [611] "Heavy Surf" "Dust Devil"
## [613] "Wind Damage" "Marine Accident"
## [615] "Snow" "Freeze"
## [617] "Snow Squalls" "Coastal Flooding"
## [619] "Heavy Rain" "Strong Wind"
## [621] "COASTAL STORM" "COASTALFLOOD"
## [623] "Erosion/Cstl Flood" "Heavy Rain and Wind"
## [625] "Light Snow/Flurries" "Wet Month"
## [627] "Wet Year" "Tidal Flooding"
## [629] "River Flooding" "Damaging Freeze"
## [631] "Beach Erosion" "Hot and Dry"
## [633] "Flood/Flash Flood" "Icy Roads"
## [635] "High Surf" "Heavy Rain/High Surf"
## [637] "Thunderstorm Wind" "Rain Damage"
## [639] "Unseasonable Cold" "Early Frost"
## [641] "Wintry Mix" "blowing snow"
## [643] "STREET FLOODING" "Record Cold"
## [645] "Extreme Cold" "Ice Fog"
## [647] "Excessive Cold" "Torrential Rainfall"
## [649] "Freezing Rain" "Landslump"
## [651] "Late-season Snowfall" "Hurricane Edouard"
## [653] "Coastal Storm" "Flood"
## [655] "HEAVY RAIN/WIND" "TIDAL FLOODING"
## [657] "Winter Weather" "Snow squalls"
## [659] "Strong Winds" "Strong winds"
## [661] "RECORD WARM TEMPS." "Ice/Snow"
## [663] "Mudslide" "Glaze"
## [665] "Extended Cold" "Snow Accumulation"
## [667] "Freezing Fog" "Drifting Snow"
## [669] "Whirlwind" "Heavy snow shower"
## [671] "Heavy rain" "LATE SNOW"
## [673] "Record May Snow" "Record Winter Snow"
## [675] "Heavy Precipitation" " COASTAL FLOOD"
## [677] "Record temperature" "Light snow"
## [679] "Late Season Snowfall" "Gusty Wind"
## [681] "small hail" "Light Snow"
## [683] "MIXED PRECIP" "Black Ice"
## [685] "Mudslides" "Gradient wind"
## [687] "Snow and Ice" "Freezing Spray"
## [689] "Summary Jan 17" "Summary of March 14"
## [691] "Summary of March 23" "Summary of March 24"
## [693] "Summary of April 3rd" "Summary of April 12"
## [695] "Summary of April 13" "Summary of April 21"
## [697] "Summary August 11" "Summary of April 27"
## [699] "Summary of May 9-10" "Summary of May 10"
## [701] "Summary of May 13" "Summary of May 14"
## [703] "Summary of May 22 am" "Summary of May 22 pm"
## [705] "Heatburst" "Summary of May 26 am"
## [707] "Summary of May 26 pm" "Metro Storm, May 26"
## [709] "Summary of May 31 am" "Summary of May 31 pm"
## [711] "Summary of June 3" "Summary of June 4"
## [713] "Summary June 5-6" "Summary June 6"
## [715] "Summary of June 11" "Summary of June 12"
## [717] "Summary of June 13" "Summary of June 15"
## [719] "Summary of June 16" "Summary June 18-19"
## [721] "Summary of June 23" "Summary of June 24"
## [723] "Summary of June 30" "Summary of July 2"
## [725] "Summary of July 3" "Summary of July 11"
## [727] "Summary of July 22" "Summary July 23-24"
## [729] "Summary of July 26" "Summary of July 29"
## [731] "Summary of August 1" "Summary August 2-3"
## [733] "Summary August 7" "Summary August 9"
## [735] "Summary August 10" "Summary August 17"
## [737] "Summary August 21" "Summary August 28"
## [739] "Summary September 4" "Summary September 20"
## [741] "Summary September 23" "Summary Sept. 25-26"
## [743] "Summary: Oct. 20-21" "Summary: October 31"
## [745] "Summary: Nov. 6-7" "Summary: Nov. 16"
## [747] "Microburst" "wet micoburst"
## [749] "Hail(0.75)" "Funnel Cloud"
## [751] "Urban Flooding" "No Severe Weather"
## [753] "Urban flood" "Urban Flood"
## [755] "Cold" "Summary of May 22"
## [757] "Summary of June 6" "Summary August 4"
## [759] "Summary of June 10" "Summary of June 18"
## [761] "Summary September 3" "Summary: Sept. 18"
## [763] "Coastal Flood" "coastal flooding"
## [765] "Small Hail" "Record Temperatures"
## [767] "Light Snowfall" "Freezing Drizzle"
## [769] "Gusty wind/rain" "GUSTY WIND/HVY RAIN"
## [771] "Blowing Snow" "Early snowfall"
## [773] "Monthly Snowfall" "Record Heat"
## [775] "Seasonal Snowfall" "Monthly Rainfall"
## [777] "Cold Temperature" "Sml Stream Fld"
## [779] "Heat Wave" "MUDSLIDE/LANDSLIDE"
## [781] "Saharan Dust" "Volcanic Ash"
## [783] "Volcanic Ash Plume" "Thundersnow shower"
## [785] "NONE" "COLD AND SNOW"
## [787] "DAM BREAK" "TSTM WIND (G45)"
## [789] "SLEET/FREEZING RAIN" "BLACK ICE"
## [791] "BLOW-OUT TIDES" "UNSEASONABLY COOL"
## [793] "TSTM HEAVY RAIN" "Gusty Winds"
## [795] "GUSTY WIND" "TSTM WIND 40"
## [797] "TSTM WIND 45" "TSTM WIND (41)"
## [799] "TSTM WIND (G40)" "TSTM WND"
## [801] "Wintry mix" " TSTM WIND"
## [803] "Frost" "Frost/Freeze"
## [805] "RAIN (HEAVY)" "Record Warmth"
## [807] "Prolong Cold" "Cold and Frost"
## [809] "URBAN/SML STREAM FLDG" "STRONG WIND GUST"
## [811] "LATE FREEZE" "BLOW-OUT TIDE"
## [813] "Hypothermia/Exposure" "HYPOTHERMIA/EXPOSURE"
## [815] "Lake Effect Snow" "Mixed Precipitation"
## [817] "Record High" "COASTALSTORM"
## [819] "Snow and sleet" "Freezing rain"
## [821] "Gusty winds" "Blizzard Summary"
## [823] "SUMMARY OF MARCH 24-25" "SUMMARY OF MARCH 27"
## [825] "SUMMARY OF MARCH 29" "GRADIENT WIND"
## [827] "Icestorm/Blizzard" "Flood/Strong Wind"
## [829] "TSTM WIND AND LIGHTNING" "gradient wind"
## [831] "Freezing drizzle" "Mountain Snows"
## [833] "URBAN/SMALL STRM FLDG" "Heavy surf and wind"
## [835] "Mild and Dry Pattern" "COLD AND FROST"
## [837] "TYPHOON" "HIGH SWELLS"
## [839] "HIGH SWELLS" "VOLCANIC ASH"
## [841] "DRY SPELL" " LIGHTNING"
## [843] "BEACH EROSION" "UNSEASONAL RAIN"
## [845] "EARLY RAIN" "PROLONGED RAIN"
## [847] "WINTERY MIX" "COASTAL FLOODING/EROSION"
## [849] "HOT SPELL" "UNSEASONABLY HOT"
## [851] " TSTM WIND (G45)" "TSTM WIND (G45)"
## [853] "HIGH WIND (G40)" "TSTM WIND (G35)"
## [855] "DRY WEATHER" "ABNORMAL WARMTH"
## [857] "UNUSUAL WARMTH" "WAKE LOW WIND"
## [859] "MONTHLY RAINFALL" "COLD TEMPERATURES"
## [861] "COLD WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES" "MODERATE SNOW"
## [863] "MODERATE SNOWFALL" "URBAN/STREET FLOODING"
## [865] "COASTAL EROSION" "UNUSUAL/RECORD WARMTH"
## [867] "BITTER WIND CHILL" "BITTER WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES"
## [869] "SEICHE" "TSTM"
## [871] "COASTAL FLOODING/EROSION" "UNSEASONABLY WARM YEAR"
## [873] "HYPERTHERMIA/EXPOSURE" "ROCK SLIDE"
## [875] "ICE PELLETS" "PATCHY DENSE FOG"
## [877] "RECORD COOL" "RECORD WARM"
## [879] "HOT WEATHER" "RECORD TEMPERATURE"
## [881] "TROPICAL DEPRESSION" "VOLCANIC ERUPTION"
## [883] "COOL SPELL" "WIND ADVISORY"
## [885] "GUSTY WIND/HAIL" "RED FLAG FIRE WX"
## [887] "FIRST FROST" "EXCESSIVELY DRY"
## [889] "SNOW AND SLEET" "LIGHT SNOW/FREEZING PRECIP"
## [891] "VOG" "MONTHLY PRECIPITATION"
## [893] "MONTHLY TEMPERATURE" "RECORD DRYNESS"
## [895] "EXTREME WINDCHILL TEMPERATURES" "MIXED PRECIPITATION"
## [897] "DRY CONDITIONS" "REMNANTS OF FLOYD"
## [899] "EARLY SNOWFALL" "FREEZING FOG"
## [901] "LANDSPOUT" "DRIEST MONTH"
## [903] "RECORD COLD" "LATE SEASON HAIL"
## [905] "EXCESSIVE SNOW" "DRYNESS"
## [907] "FLOOD/FLASH/FLOOD" "WIND AND WAVE"
## [909] "LIGHT FREEZING RAIN" " WIND"
## [911] "MONTHLY SNOWFALL" "RECORD PRECIPITATION"
## [913] "ICE ROADS" "ROUGH SEAS"
## [915] "UNSEASONABLY WARM/WET" "UNSEASONABLY COOL & WET"
## [917] "UNUSUALLY WARM" "TSTM WIND G45"
## [919] "NON SEVERE HAIL" "NON-SEVERE WIND DAMAGE"
## [921] "UNUSUALLY COLD" "WARM WEATHER"
## [923] "LANDSLUMP" "THUNDERSTORM WIND (G40)"
## [925] "UNSEASONABLY WARM & WET" " FLASH FLOOD"
## [927] "LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN" "WIND GUSTS"
## [929] "UNSEASONAL LOW TEMP" "HIGH SURF ADVISORY"
## [931] "LATE SEASON SNOW" "GUSTY LAKE WIND"
## [933] "ABNORMALLY DRY" "WINTER WEATHER MIX"
## [935] "RED FLAG CRITERIA" "WND"
## [937] "CSTL FLOODING/EROSION" "SMOKE"
## [939] " WATERSPOUT" "SNOW ADVISORY"
## [941] "EXTREMELY WET" "UNUSUALLY LATE SNOW"
## [943] "VERY DRY" "RECORD LOW RAINFALL"
## [945] "ROGUE WAVE" "PROLONG WARMTH"
## [947] "ACCUMULATED SNOWFALL" "FALLING SNOW/ICE"
## [949] "DUST DEVEL" "NON-TSTM WIND"
## [951] "NON TSTM WIND" "GUSTY THUNDERSTORM WINDS"
## [953] "PATCHY ICE" "HEAVY RAIN EFFECTS"
## [955] "EXCESSIVE HEAT/DROUGHT" "NORTHERN LIGHTS"
## [957] "MARINE TSTM WIND" " HIGH SURF ADVISORY"
## [959] "HAZARDOUS SURF" "FROST/FREEZE"
## [961] "WINTER WEATHER/MIX" "ASTRONOMICAL HIGH TIDE"
## [963] "WHIRLWIND" "VERY WARM"
## [965] "ABNORMALLY WET" "TORNADO DEBRIS"
## [967] "EXTREME COLD/WIND CHILL" "ICE ON ROAD"
## [969] "DROWNING" "GUSTY THUNDERSTORM WIND"
## [971] "MARINE HAIL" "HIGH SURF ADVISORIES"
## [973] "HURRICANE/TYPHOON" "HEAVY SURF/HIGH SURF"
## [975] "SLEET STORM" "STORM SURGE/TIDE"
## [977] "COLD/WIND CHILL" "MARINE HIGH WIND"
## [979] "TSUNAMI" "DENSE SMOKE"
## [981] "LAKESHORE FLOOD" "MARINE THUNDERSTORM WIND"
## [983] "MARINE STRONG WIND" "ASTRONOMICAL LOW TIDE"
## [985] "VOLCANIC ASHFALL"Make truncated data frame focused on most study relevant variables
Storm_1 <- Storm_Data %>%
select(2,6,7,8,23:28)Fatalities
Inspect Top 50 highest fatalities
Most_fatal <- Storm_1 %>%
slice_max(order_by = FATALITIES, n = 50)What are the most fatal weather conditions in the top 50?
table(Most_fatal$EVTYPE)##
## EXCESSIVE HEAT EXTREME HEAT
## 13 1
## HEAT HEAT WAVE
## 2 2
## TORNADO TORNADOES, TSTM WIND, HAIL
## 29 1
## TSUNAMI UNSEASONABLY WARM AND DRY
## 1 1Store relevant categories as variables to streamline downstream manipulation
ET <- Most_fatal$EVTYPE
MF <- Most_fatal$FATALITIESOf top 50 most fatal incidents, obtain list of total fatalities by severe weather type
MFET_0 <- aggregate (MF~ET, data = Most_fatal, sum)Rank in descending order
MFET <- MFET_0 %>%
arrange(desc(MF))Consolidate redundant “severe heat” weather types and arrange new top 5 data frame
Consolidate to “Heat Extremes”
Most_Fatal_1 <- MFET %>%
mutate(ET = case_when(
ET %in% c("HEAT", "EXCESSIVE HEAT", "HEAT WAVE", "EXTREME HEAT") ~ "HEAT EXTREMES",
TRUE~NA_character_))%>%
filter(!is.na(ET))%>%
group_by(ET)%>%
summarise(across(where(is.numeric), sum), .groups = "drop")Arrange other top 4
MFET_1 <- MFET[c(1,6,7,8),]Assemble and order top 5
MFET_ <- rbind(Most_Fatal_1, MFET_1)
MFET2 <- MFET_ %>%
arrange(desc(MF))Construct parameters for Severe Weather Fatalities plot and store in variable
Fatal <- ggplot(MFET2, aes(x = MF, y = reorder(ET, MF)))+
geom_col()+
geom_text(aes(label = MF), hjust = -0.2)+
expand_limits(x = max (MFET$MF) + 300)+
labs(title = "Severe Weather Fatalities U.S. 1950-2011",
x = "Fatalities",
y = "Severe Weather Type")Injuries
What are the top 50 incidences of non lethal injuries caused by severe weather?
Most_Injurious <- Storm_1 %>%
slice_max(order_by = INJURIES, n =50)What are the severe weather types associated with most non lethal injuries?
table(Most_fatal$EVTYPE)##
## EXCESSIVE HEAT EXTREME HEAT
## 13 1
## HEAT HEAT WAVE
## 2 2
## TORNADO TORNADOES, TSTM WIND, HAIL
## 29 1
## TSUNAMI UNSEASONABLY WARM AND DRY
## 1 1Of top 50 injury incidents, assemble total injuries per severe weather type
ET2 <- Most_Injurious$EVTYPE
MI <- Most_Injurious$INJURIES
MIET_0 <- aggregate(MI~ET2, data = Most_Injurious, sum)
MIET <- MIET_0 %>%
arrange(desc(MI))Identify top 5
MIET <- MIET[1:5,]Construct parameters for Severe Weather Injury Plot and store in variable
Injury <- ggplot(MIET, aes(x = MI, y = reorder (ET2, MI)))+ geom_col()+ geom_text(aes(label = MI), hjust = -0.2)+ expand_limits(x = max (MIET$MI) + 1500)+ labs(title = "Severe Weather Injuries U.S. 1950-2011", x = "Injuries", y = "Severe Weather Type" )What weather conditions have the greatest economic consequences?
Crop Damage
Isolate and arrange crop damage in the billions
Most_CropDMG_B <- Storm_1 %>%
filter(CROPDMGEXP == "B") %>%
arrange(desc(CROPDMG))Remove last 2 rows as they are 0
Most_CropDMG_B <- head(Most_CropDMG_B, -2)Isolate and arrange crop damage in the millions
Most_CropDMG_M <- Storm_1 %>%
filter(CROPDMGEXP == "M") %>%
arrange(desc(CROPDMG))Combine appropriate number of rows with top billions list to generate list of top 50 most crop damage
Most_CropDMG_M <- Most_CropDMG_M[1:43,]Express millions in terms of billions
Most_CropDMG_M <- Most_CropDMG_M %>%
mutate(CROPDMG = CROPDMG/1000)Combine to generate list of top 50 most crop damage
Most_CropDMG <- rbind(Most_CropDMG_B, Most_CropDMG_M)Some rankings need reordering
Most_CropDMG <- Most_CropDMG %>%
arrange(desc(CROPDMG))Determine total crop damage by severe weather type
ET3 <- Most_CropDMG$EVTYPE
CD <- Most_CropDMG$CROPDMG
CDET3 <- aggregate(CD~ET3, data = Most_CropDMG, sum)Arrange by top 10 highest crop damage
CDET <- CDET3[1:10,] %>%
arrange(desc(CD))Consolidate class redundancies
CropDMG_1 <- CDET %>%
mutate(ET3 = case_when(
ET3%in% c("FLOOD", "FLASH FLOOD")~ "FLOODS",
ET3%in% c("EXTREME COLD", "FROST/FREEZE", "DAMAGING FREEZE", "FREEZE")~ "COLD EXTREMES",
ET3%in% c("EXCESSIVE HEAT", "HEAT") ~ "HEAT EXTREMES",
TRUE~NA_character_))%>%
filter(!is.na(ET3))%>%
group_by(ET3)%>%
summarise(across(where(is.numeric), sum), .groups = "drop")Assemble modified, cleaned top 5 crop damage
CDET_0 <- CDET [c(1,6),]
CropDMG <- rbind(CropDMG_1, CDET_0)
CropDMG <- CropDMG%>%
arrange(desc(CD))Construct parameters for Severe Weather Crop Damage Plot and store in variable
Crop <-ggplot(CropDMG, aes(x = CD, y = reorder(ET3, CD))) +
geom_col()+
geom_text(aes(label = CD), hjust = -0.2)+
expand_limits(x = max (CDET$CD) + 2)+
labs(title = "Severe Weather Crop Damage Cost U.S. 1950-2011",
x = "Crop Damage (in billions of dollars)",
y = "Severe Weather Type")Property Damage
Determine Top 50 highest property damage incidents
Determine highest sources of property damage in billions
Most_PropertyDMG_B <- Storm_1 %>%
filter(PROPDMGEXP == "B") %>%
arrange(desc(PROPDMG))
Most_PropertyDMG_B <- Most_PropertyDMG_B[1:39,]In millions
Most_PropertyDMG_M <- Storm_1 %>%
filter(PROPDMGEXP == "M") %>%
arrange(desc(PROPDMG))
PropertyDMG_M <- Most_PropertyDMG_M[1:11,]Combine top 39 in billions with top 11 in millions
Most_PropertyDMG <- rbind(Most_PropertyDMG_B, PropertyDMG_M)Determine total property damage by severe weather type
ET4 <- Most_PropertyDMG$EVTYPE
PD <- Most_PropertyDMG$PROPDMG
PDET4 <- aggregate(PD~ET4, data = Most_PropertyDMG,sum)Arrange by top 10 highest property damage
PDET <- PDET4[1:10,]%>%
arrange(desc(PD))Consolidate by severe weather type and arrange new top 5 property damage data frame
PropDMG_1 <- PDET %>%
mutate(ET4 = case_when(
ET4 %in% c("FLOOD", "RIVER FLOOD", "FLASH FLOOD") ~ "FLOODS",
ET4 %in% c("HURRICANE/TYPHOON", "HURRICANE", "HURRICANE OPAL") ~ "HURRICANES",
TRUE~NA_character_
))%>%
filter(!is.na(ET4))%>%
group_by(ET4)%>%
summarise(across(where(is.numeric),sum), .groups = "drop")
PDET_0 <- PDET[c(1,2,5),]
PropDMG <- rbind(PropDMG_1, PDET_0)
PropDMG <- PropDMG %>%
arrange(desc(PD))Construct parameters for Severe Weather Property Damage Plot and store in variable
Prop <- ggplot(PropDMG, aes( x = PD, y = reorder (ET4, PD)))+
geom_col()+
geom_text(aes(label = PD), hjust = -0.2)+
expand_limits( x = max (PropDMG$PD) + 1000)+
labs(title = "Severe Weather Property Damage Cost U.S. 1950-2011",
x = "Property Damage (in billions of dollars)",
y = "Severe Weather Type")Results
Plots
Combine Fatal and Injury into Severe Weather Health Impacts Plot
(Fatal + theme(axis.title.y = element_blank())) +
(Injury + theme(axis.title.y = element_blank()))+
plot_annotation(title = "Severe Weather Heath Impacts U.S. 1950–2011",
theme = theme(plot.title = element_text(hjust = 0.5, size = 14)
))&
labs(y = "Severe Weather Type")&
theme(plot.margin = margin (5.5,5.5,5.5,20))
Combine Crop and Property into Severe Weather Economic Impacts Plot
(Crop + theme(axis.title.y = element_blank())) +
(Prop + theme(axis.title.y = element_blank())) +
plot_annotation(title = "Severe Weather Economic Impacts U.S. 1950–2011",
theme = theme(plot.title = element_text(hjust = 0.5, size = 14)
))&
labs(y = "Severe Weather Type")&
theme(plot.margin = margin (5.5,5.5,5.5,20))
Human Health Impact
In the observed time frame (from 1950-2011) tornadoes and heat extremes have been responsible for the most fatalities, out pacing other 3 of the top 5 severe weather fatality causes by a factor of 40x. While tornadoes and floods comprised the top 2 of 5 severe weather causes of injury. Interestingly, tornadoes were simultaneously the greatest source of severe weather related fatalities and injuries across the observed time frame in the US. (1950-2011) making tornadoes the severe weather type most detrimental to human health.
Human affairs are incontrovertibly intertwined. Factors that directly impact human health can exert further downstream, indirect consequences to both human health and material wealth. For example, families and individuals survived by severe weather fatalities and injuries can experience negative impacts on both psychological health and economic viability, through loss of breadwinner, employment or property damage.
Economic Impact
Crops
Drought caused the greatest economic loss in terms of crop damage. Its 8.5 billion in economic cost was 4 times (400%) greater than the second most crop damaging severe weather type, flooding.
Property
In the present study, property is defined as buildings that serve as homes, dwellings, schools, places of business and human congregation and structures for storage of inventory or belongings. In this category, weather that results in high winds was responsible for the greatest amount of property damage. At a cumulative 1.6 trillion, high winds were responsible for twice (200%) more damage than the 2nd most damaging severe weather type to property, hail.
Combined, crop and property damage comprise direct economic impacts of severe weather, where collectively drought, high winds, flooding and hail are the dominant perpetrators.
It can be stated that while valuable to non human life as well, crops and property derive a great share of value viewed through the lens of human utility. As such, their loss is undoubtedly capable of causing direct damage to human health through loss of shelter and food, and indirect damage to human health through lost economic viability.
When it comes to severe weather incidents, attribution of causes and quantification of effects are necessary and useful tools of analysis that help describe reality, assess risks, reveal vulnerabilities, and inform targeted plans of action to achieve desired results, such as improving severe weather emergency preparedness and response at the community, municipal and federal levels.