Tornadoes killed at least 23 people in Alabama on March 3rd, causing catastrophic damage as winds of up to 270 km (170 miles) per hour ripped apart rural towns in Lee County. Such severe weather events, especially hurricanes and heat waves, are projected to become more intense in the coming decades as the temperature of the earth warms, according to a report from the United States Global Change Research Programme. As natural disasters get worse, their impact is likely to inflict growing economic damage alongside environmental costs. Moreover, the burden is likely to be greatest on people who are already struggling economically. The Economist's Daily Chart (below) depicts analysis by the Lab of the economic risks of climate change to the US.