An arctic blast is headed for the Lone Star State and the winter storm of 2021 is still fresh in the minds of Texans. 

It’s so fresh in my mind that it’s hard to believe it was three years ago. It feels more like it happened maybe two years ago at most. 

Regardless of how long ago it happened, those of us who had to endure the storm will always have flashbacks when we hear severe winter weather is headed our way. And the Number One question on everyone’s mind is whether the power will stay on.

106.3 The Buzz logo
Get our free mobile app

 

During a press conference, Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed confidence in the Texas grid operator, ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas): 

We feel very good about the status of the Texas power grid and ERCOT to be able to effectively and successfully ensure that the power is going to stay on throughout the entirety of this winter storm episode.

I sure hope he’s right. People’s lives depend on it.

TIPS: Here's how you can prepare for power outages

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF

LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.

Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.

Gallery Credit: Anuradha Varanasi

More From 106.3 The Buzz