Remembering the strongest and costliest Hurricanes in U.S. history as the 2024 season begins

Today, June 1st, marks the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, a time when East Coast and Gulf Coast communities prepare for potential storms. As we enter this season, let's take a dive down history lane and remember some of the strongest and costliest hurricanes in U.S. history.

Hurricane Katrina (2005)

Hurricane Katrina, which hit Louisiana on August 29, 2005, is one of the most devastating hurricanes in U.S. history. The levee failures in New Orleans led to catastrophic flooding, causing over 1,800 deaths and displacing hundreds of thousands. With damages estimated at $125 billion, it remains the costliest hurricane ever in the United States.

Hurricane Harvey (2017)

Hurricane Harvey struck Texas on August 25, 2017, bringing unprecedented rainfall and severe flooding to the Houston area. Some regions received over 60 inches of rain, leading to widespread flooding and approximately $125 billion in damages. Harvey caused 68 direct fatalities, making it one of the deadliest recent storms.

Hurricane Sandy (2012)

Hurricane Sandy, often referred to as "Superstorm Sandy," struck the northeastern United States in late October 2012. Its massive size and storm surge caused extensive flooding and damage, particularly in New York and New Jersey. Sandy caused approximately $70 billion in damages and resulted in 233 deaths across eight countries.

Hurricane Andrew (1992)

Hurricane Andrew hit Florida on August 24, 1992, as a Category 5 storm, causing widespread destruction in South Florida. It resulted in $27.3 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest hurricanes at the time. Andrew caused 65 fatalities and left a lasting impact on building codes and disaster preparedness.

While hurricanes of this magnitude are exceedingly rare, it only takes one strong storm to go down in the history books. This year is forecasted to be an above-average season, so make sure to stay informed. Tune in to our daily Breakfast Briefs for the latest updates on the tropics and prepare to stay safe this hurricane season. Our tropical updates start Monday!