Data: the best antidote for weather hysteria

Yes we've had a tough spring, but compared to history we have never been less likely to die from weather catastrophes.  To get perspective it helps to widen your frame of reference.  Two things to note:  first death rates from weather disasters have always been tiny - never more than 4 per million people.  And the average death rate has fallen by three quarters and continues to fall.  Or as Sgt. Hulka would say:  "lighten up, Francis".