What begins as a small storm over the ocean can escalate into a terrifying force, wreaking havoc on communities and altering landscapes. Hurricanes that make landfall can inflict damage costing millions. Let’s recount the top 10 most expensive hurricanes in history.
In September 2004, Hurricane Ivan, a Category 5 storm, began its rampage. The Cayman Islands suffered severely as a quarter of its buildings were rendered uninhabitable. Ivan caused a mess in the U.S., forcing many in Florida and Alabama to seek refuge. It even dislodged an oil rig, leading to long-term environmental issues. Ivan took 92 lives and caused $26.1 billion in damages over 23 days.
Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida’s southern tip on August 24, 1992, with wind speeds up to 175 mph and storm surges reaching 17 feet. It destroyed over 25,000 homes and left almost 250,000 people homeless in South Miami. Total damages were $27.3 billion, making it Florida’s most destructive hurricane.
Forming over the Atlantic on September 2, 2008, Hurricane Ike, a Category 4 storm, devastated Texas and Louisiana. With a storm surge of up to 20 feet, it caused severe flooding, submerging many coastal areas. Ike claimed over 100 lives and caused $38 billion in damages.
In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy, also known as Superstorm Sandy, struck the U.S. East Coast. Making landfall near New Jersey, its winds spanned 175 miles from its center. Coastal flooding and widespread destruction ensued, with New York City suffering extensive damage. Sandy caused 233 deaths across eight countries and inflicted $68.7 billion in damage.
Hurricane Ida developed in the Caribbean Sea and struck the Southeastern U.S. as a Category 4 storm. It hit Louisiana with ferocity, leaving over a million without power for weeks. Ida’s path of destruction caused over 100 deaths and resulted in $75.2 billion in damages.
In 2017’s busy hurricane season, Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc after forming near the Cape Verde Islands. It reached Category 5 strength with 177 mph winds, impacting Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. With winds over 110 mph, Irma hit Florida, where 73% of the state lost power. The storm caused $77.2 billion in damage.
Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria struck, further devastating already impacted areas like Puerto Rico. Maria left homes, roads, and power grids in ruin, with prolonged food and water shortages. It resulted in more than 4,600 deaths and caused $91.6 billion in damages.
Hurricane Ian, which recently hit Florida, became the deadliest hurricane to strike the state since 1935. With 150 mph winds, it caused massive property loss and left 2.6 million without power. Ian resulted in 161 deaths, with damages totaling $113 billion.
On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas. A year’s worth of rain fell in less than a week, devastating homes and submerging one-third of Houston. The weight of the water even sank the city temporarily. Harvey caused 103 deaths and $125 billion in damages, making it the second most costly hurricane.
Finally, Hurricane Katrina, which hit in late August 2005, remains the most infamous. Affecting 15 million people across 90,000 square miles, Katrina devastated Louisiana and New Orleans. 80% of New Orleans was left underwater due to levee failures. Katrina resulted in 1,833 fatalities and caused $160 billion in damages—the most expensive in U.S. history.
These ten hurricanes stand as stark reminders of nature’s power to inflict monumental damage and disrupt countless lives. Stay safe, stay informed, and always appreciate the calm between the storms.
