[JennysCool]

I’m sure there were just as many natural disasters in 1980 as there are now. The difference is that satellite and internet technology developed over the last quarter-century now enables the whole world to get the news about each and every disaster occurring anywhere.

[VanShuyten]

I can see how there would be more disasters, particularly floods. Flooding can be caused by deforestation and poor farming methods, and by poor maintenance. The increase in wind-related disasters could just be caused by the increase in population in areas more vulnerable to wind damage. the same for population increases in flood-prone areas. The world has gained 2 billion people since 1980.