Extreme Weather Map 2011

A large winter storm impacting many central, eastern and northeastern states. The city of Chicago was brought to a virtual standstill and hundreds were trapped in their cars. Property damage totaled greater than $1.8 billion and 36 deaths.

Historic drought, heat waves, and wildfires hit, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Kansas, Arkansas and Louisiana. The most destructive wildfire in Texas history, the Bastrop County Fire, burned over 34,000 acres (and destroyed almost 1,600 homes; and 2 deaths were reported. Total losses to agriculture, cattle and structures top $9.0 billion.

Nearly 3 times the normal spring rains in the Ohio Valley combined with melting snowpack resulted in historic flooding along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Estimated losses: $2-4 billion in Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri and Louisiana; at least 2 deaths; and at least $800 million in losses to Mississippi agriculture.

Above-average snowmelt plus high spring rainfall caused the Missouri and Souris Rivers to overflow their banks across the Upper Midwest (Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri). An estimated 11,000 people were forced to evacuate Minot, North Dakota and 4,000 homes were flooded. Thousands of acres of farmland along the Missouri River were flooded. Estimated losses exceed $2.0 billion; at least 5 US deaths.

Large hurricane hits multiple states (North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont) causing torrential rainfall and flooding across the Northeast particularly. New Jersey, New York, and Vermont. Over seven million homes and businesses lost power. Over $7.0 billion in damages/costs; at least 45 deaths.

A string of eleven adjacent states from Louisiana to New York had a top-10 wet September, partially attributable to Tropical Storm Lee. Across Pennsylvania, 9.71 inches of rain fell, making it the state’s wettest September on record.

Largest early snowfall recorded. The Northeast suffered tremendous damage from the wet, heavy snow and snapped branches downed numerous power lines, leaving 3 million people without electricity; damage in CT alone estimated at $3B

In New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, snowiest January on record. In South Bend, Indiana, all-time greatest 24-hour snowfall Snowiest month on record (57 inches) in Hartford, CT.

A spring blizzard brought record snowfall to parts of Nebraska, dumping over 10 inches of snow and snow drifts up to 5 feet deep. The state's main highway (Interstate 80) was closed for 170 miles stranding many people on the road, and was responsible for numerous accidents.

In 2011, the acreage burned exceeded by over 3 million acres the previous record set in two US regions comprising 15 states across the south and southwest, according to data from the National Interagency Coordination Center.

In 2011, the Palmer Hydrological Drought Index was at a “record-breaking” low in 4 states (New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Florida).