Disasters--such as hurricanes, terrorist attacks, or other major catastrophes--affect economic activity because (1) current production is affected, (2) structures, equipment, and other assets are damaged or destroyed (and must be repaired or replaced), and (3) transactions, such as payments of insurance benefits or government disaster relief, take place as a result of the damages incurred.| www.bea.gov
Real gross domestic product (GDP) decreased at an annual rate of 0.3 percent in the first quarter of 2025 (January, February, and March), according to the advance estimate released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter of 2024, real GDP increased 2.4 percent.| www.bea.gov