TRENTON, N.J. — As Governor Phil Murphy and U.S. Senator Andy Kim continue chest-thumping over the threat of climate change and its possible impact in New Jersey, science and history is proving New Jersey is the safest state when it comes to weather-related injuries.
New Jersey had the third-lowest rate of weather-related deaths and injuries in the United States last year, according to a new nationwide analysis.
The study, conducted by the Whitley Law Firm using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, found that the Garden State reported just 0.42 weather-related deaths and injuries per million residents in 2024, with four total incidents — a sharp drop from 22 in 2023.
Key Points:
- New Jersey had 0.42 weather-related deaths/injuries per million residents in 2024
- Only Maine and Rhode Island reported lower rates — with zero incidents each
- Study based on NOAA data from 2020 to 2024
Only Maine and Rhode Island ranked lower, each reporting zero weather-related incidents per million residents in 2024. New Jersey shared the third spot with Massachusetts, which also recorded 0.42 per million, with three total incidents.
Nationally, Nebraska topped the list with 58.34 weather-related deaths and injuries per million residents in 2024, followed by Oklahoma (54.70), Nevada (50.19), New Mexico (36.15), and Mississippi (22.77). These states faced severe weather conditions, including tornadoes, wildfires, and extreme heat events.
The study highlights a steady decline in weather-related incidents in New Jersey over the past five years, signaling a pattern of improved resilience or reduced exposure to extreme conditions.
The analysis spans weather data from 2020 to 2024, covering all 50 states and assessing rates relative to population. “New Jersey reported 0.42 weather-related deaths and injuries per million residents in 2024, with four incidents recorded,” the study stated.
New Jersey trails only Maine and Rhode Island as one of the safest states for weather-related threats, a new study finds.