Hurricane Katrina, one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history, struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005. The storm caused widespread destruction, particularly in New Orleans, where levee failures led to massive flooding.
Katrina caused an estimated $161 billion in damages, making it the costliest hurricane in U.S. history. The flooding submerged 80% of New Orleans, damaging homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Over 1,800 people lost their lives, and more than a million residents were displaced. The storm crippled the local economy, leading to years of recovery efforts.
Hurricane Harvey, which struck Texas in August 2017, caused an estimated $125 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. The storm brought unprecedented rainfall, with some areas receiving over 60 inches of rain, leading to catastrophic flooding. Houston and surrounding regions were hit particularly hard, with thousands of homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure submerged.
The flooding displaced over 30,000 people and damaged or destroyed more than 200,000 structures. Harvey also severely impacted the local economy, including energy production and transportation, contributing to the staggering cost of recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Hurricane Ian, which struck Florida in September 2022, was a powerful Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 150 mph, making it one of the most intense hurricanes to hit the state. It caused widespread destruction, particularly in southwest Florida, where storm surges and flooding devastated communities.
Ian caused an estimated $113 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest U.S. hurricanes. The storm destroyed or severely damaged thousands of homes, businesses, and infrastructure and led to significant disruptions in power and water services. Ian also claimed over 150 lives, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
Hurricane Maria, which struck Puerto Rico in September 2017 as a powerful Category 4 storm, caused an estimated $90 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. The storm devastated the island's infrastructure, leaving the entire population without power, some for months.
Roads, homes, and businesses were destroyed, and the agriculture sector was nearly wiped out. Maria's aftermath crippled the economy, leading to prolonged recovery efforts. The hurricane also caused a humanitarian crisis, with almost 3,000 fatalities linked to the storm and its long-term impacts, further exacerbating the region’s recovery challenges.
Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean and the southeastern U.S. in September 2017. With winds reaching 185 mph, it was one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded. The storm caused an estimated $77 billion in damages, heavily impacting Florida, Puerto Rico, and several Caribbean islands.
Irma’s destruction included massive flooding, severe wind damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, and power outages affecting millions. In Florida alone, around 6.5 million people evacuated, making it one of the largest evacuations in U.S. history. The storm also caused 134 fatalities across its path.
