A recent report by the National Climatic Data Center says that 2011 has seen more billion-dollar natural disasters than any year on record. April tornadoes, an historic earthquake, Hurricane Irene and the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee hit Virginia during 2011, causing loss of life and property and leaving millions of dollars in damage.
• April tornadoes, April 8, 27-28 and 26; at least 30 tornadoes killed 10 people and injured more than 100. Approximately 212 homes were destroyed, with more than 1,050 homes and businesses were damaged. The lack of federal assistance led Gov. Bob McDonnell to establish the Virginia Disaster Relief Fund to help tornado victims. The fund has since been expanded to help victims of any disaster in Virginia.
• Mineral earthquake, Aug. 23; a 5.8-magnitude earthquake and more than 50 aftershocks have led to nearly $7 million in federal assistance to individuals in Louisa County. Funds have been approved to repair damage that includes Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and Louisa County High School. Also, about $1.6 million has been approved by the Small Business Administration in the form of low-interest loans to approximately 50 individuals and businesses.
• Hurricane Irene, Aug. 27; flooding and high winds killed four people and caused approximately $39 million in damage to public property and associated emergency response costs; 2.5 million people were without power, some for up to a week; Virginia received a pre-landfall federal Public Assistance emergency declaration, allowing FEMA to provide supplies, equipment and other needed resources.
Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, Sept. 8-9; heavy rains and flooding killed five and caused more than 100 homes and business to be destroyed or sustain major damage; approximately 500 people were displaced from their homes in Prince William County; residents in several areas were evacuated, and at least 50 swift water rescues of citizens were completed