7 Most Impactful Hurricanes of the Past
Hurricane season is underway, and we're approaching the time of year when things typically start getting more active out in the Atlantic. Among the most destructive storms of all time, were 3 different storms just last year; Harvey, Irma and Maria all hit between August and September, 2017. According to the NOAA, here are the top 11 most destructive U.S. hurricanes of all time in terms of property damage.
After devastating the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. John and St. Thomas as a Category 5 storm, Hurricane Irma made landfall in Cudjoe Key, Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. The Florida Keys were heavily impacted, with 25% of buildings destroyed and 65% significantly damaged. Severe wind and storm surge damage also occurred along the coasts of Florida and South Carolina. Jacksonville and Charleston received near-historic levels of storm surge, causing significant coastal flooding. Irma maintained maximum sustained wind of 185 mph for 37 hours, the longest in the satellite era! Irma was also a Category 5 storm for longer than all other Atlantic hurricanes except Ivan in 2004.
7. Hurricane Ike, 2008 - $35 Billion
Hurricane Ike made landfall in Texas as a Category 2 hurricane. This storm was the largest Atlantic hurricane, in size, on record. The storm caused considerable storm surge in coastal TX and significant wind and flood damage in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Severe gasoline shortages occurred in the southeast U.S. due to damaged oil platforms, storage tanks, pipelines and off-line refineries.6. Hurricane Andrew, 1992 - $49 Billion
Hurricane Andrew hit Florida as a Category 5 storm, and later impacted Louisiana as a Category 3 storm. High winds damaged or destroyed over 125,000 homes and left at least 160,000 people homeless in Dade County, Florida alone. Andrew joins Hurricane Camille (1969) and the Labor Day Hurricane (1935) as the only land falling Category 5 hurricanes on record to affect the U.S. mainland. Adjusted to present-day dollars, Andrew is the 6th most costly hurricane to impact the U.S. since 1980.
5. Hurricane Irma, 2017 - $50 Billion
After devastating the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. John and St. Thomas as a Category 5 storm, Hurricane Irma made landfall in Cudjoe Key, Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. The Florida Keys were heavily impacted, with 25% of buildings destroyed and 65% significantly damaged. Severe wind and storm surge damage also occurred along the coasts of Florida and South Carolina. Jacksonville and Charleston received near-historic levels of storm surge, causing significant coastal flooding. Irma maintained maximum sustained wind of 185 mph for 37 hours, the longest in the satellite era! Irma was also a Category 5 storm for longer than all other Atlantic hurricanes except Ivan in 2004.
4. Hurricane Sandy, 2012 - $71 Billion
Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage from high winds and coastal storm surge across the Northeast, particularly in New York and New Jersey, but also in Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. As Sandy merged with a Nor'easter, damage from wind, rain and heavy snow extended to areas of North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. Sandy's impact on major population centers caused widespread interruption to critical water / electrical services. it also caused the New York Stock Exchange to close for two consecutive business days, which hadn't happened since a major winter storm in 1888.3. Hurricane Maria, 2017 - $90 Billion
Hurricane Maria made landfall in southeast Puerto Rico after striking the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Croix. Maria's high winds caused widespread devastation to Puerto Rico's transportation, agriculture, communication and energy infrastructure. Extreme rainfall up to 37 inches caused widespread flooding and mudslides across the island. Maria tied Hurricane Wilma in terms of the most rapid intensification, strengthening from a tropical depression to a Category 5 storm in just 54 hours! Maria made landfall as a Category 4 storm, giving the U.S. a record 3 Category 4+ storms in 2017.2. Hurricane Harvey, 2017 - $125 Billion
Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas as a Category 4 storm. Harvey's devastation was mostly due to the large region of extreme rainfall producing historic flooding across Houston and surrounding areas. More than 50 inches of rainfall fell in some areas! This historic U.S. rainfall caused massive flooding that displaced over 30,000 people and damaged or destroyed over 200,000 homes and businesses.
1. Hurricane Katrina, 2005 - $161 Billion
Hurricane Katrina is the costliest U.S. hurricane on record. Katrina became a Category 1 storm just before making landfall near Miami, FL. The hurricane then moved southeast across Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico. There it gained speed and became a Category 5 hurricane. It then turned northwest, lost some speed and hit Louisiana as a Category 3 storm with wind speeds of 125 mph. The storm brought hurricane conditions to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. It caused catastrophic damage to New Orleans and areas of the Mississippi coast. Severe storm surge, likely over 30 feet, caused total destruction of many structures, overtopped and breaches levees in New Orleans and inundated much of the city of New Orleans and its suburbs.
As you can see from these storms, hurricanes can cause a lot of damages, not just from high winds, but also from flooding. It is important that we take action NOW, before a U.S. land-falling hurricane is imminent. Big Bags USA® flood barrier systems are much more effective at preventing flood damage to property than traditional sandbags. Every flood mitigation plan should include a rapid deployed system like ours! Learn more about the Big Bags USA® system and how to get our innovative flood protection to your community by visiting our website or giving us a call at 800-337-0537 today!
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
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