Here are the 10 costliest natural disasters ever seen on U.S. soil, counting down to America's most expensive calamity. Loss estimates from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Insurance Information Institute are in 2019 dollars.
10. Hurricane Ike
Remnants of Hurricane Ike caused damage as far north as the Cleveland suburbs. A tree fell on this home in North Olmsted, Ohio.
$36 billion
Hurricane Ike was unusual as hurricanes go, because it was so massive. Before it tore into Texas in mid-September 2008, the storm appeared to fill the entire Gulf of Mexico, making it the largest Atlantic hurricane on record.
Ike damaged oil platforms, pipelines and refineries, which resulted in major gasoline shortages and soaring fuel prices across the Southeast. Storm surge destroyed several coastal towns in Texas.
The hurricane remained very powerful as it moved north from the Lone Star state, battering areas hundreds of miles from the coast — as far north as Ohio and Michigan. Close to 200 people were killed by the storm.
Don't miss
- Commercial real estate has beaten the stock market for 25 years — but only the super rich could buy in. Here's how even ordinary investors can become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger
- Car insurance premiums in America are through the roof — and only getting worse. But 5 minutes could have you paying as little as $29/month
- These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024 — and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how
9. 1993 Midwest flooding
The 1993 floods put more than 31,000 square miles under water -- an area larger than Maine.
$37.3 billion
It kept raining and raining and just wouldn't stop in the central U.S. during the summer of 1993. The Mississippi and Missouri rivers and their tributaries rose to record heights and overflowed.
Floods would eventually cover more than 31,000 square miles in nine states — an area larger than Maine. An estimated 50,000 homes were destroyed, and some towns were so devastated they were never rebuilt.
Barge traffic on the rivers shut down for nearly two months, taking a significant economic toll. In some places, floodwaters didn't go down for 200 days. Nearly 50 deaths were blamed on the flooding.
8. 1988 drought and heat wave
The drought was so severe that water levels dropped on the Mississippi, exposing shipwrecks that had been sitting on the bottom.
$44 billion
Many of the states struck by the 1993 floods had been dealing with the opposite just five years earlier: a severe lack of water. Heat and drought took hold over America's midsection in the summer of 1988 and refused to let go.
Crops were wiped out, groundwater was pumped to near depletion in many areas, and many cities declared water restrictions. The drought was called the worst since the "Dust Bowl" days of the 1930s.
Water levels on the Mississippi River dropped so low that old shipwrecks were exposed on the river's muddy bottom. Some 5,000 deaths were pinned on stifling heat.
Maximize Your Savings
Discover the best option for your financial future. Whether you’re looking for higher returns or easy access to your cash, compare the benefits of CDs and savings accounts to find the right fit for your goals.
Learn More7. Hurricane Andrew
Hurricane Andrew hit the Miami area as a Category 5 storm with 165 mph winds. Tens of thousands of homes were destroyed.
$49.7 billion
Hurricane Andrew is one of only a very small number of Category 5 storms — the worst, most intense type of hurricane — to ever make landfall in the U.S. It roared into the Miami area in late August 1992 with punishing winds, up to 175 mph.
In Miami and its suburbs alone, the hurricane destroyed more than 125,000 homes and left some 160,000 people homeless. The destruction led to tougher building codes in areas at risk for powerful storms.
After leaving Florida, Andrew swept through the Gulf and then barreled into Louisiana with winds over 140 mph. The storm's rampage killed 65 people.
6. Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Irma slammed into Florida with 130 mph winds.
$51.5 billion
Florida hadn't seen a major hurricane in a dozen years when Hurricane Irma became a reminder of just how bad one of these storms can be. It slammed into the Florida Keys in September 2017 with 130 mph winds.
About a quarter of the buildings in the Keys were destroyed before the storm tore a path across the rest of Florida. Jacksonville reeled from major flooding and winds gusting to 90 mph. In South Carolina, coastal areas were swamped by storm surge.
Disasters are one reason it's so important to have a cushion of emergency savings, so you're ready for whatever happens.
5. Superstorm Sandy
Superstorm Sandy flooded parts of New York City, closing subways and the New York Stock Exchange.
$72.8 billion
Hurricane Sandy moved so far north so late in the season that it encountered cold air and lost some characteristics of a hurricane. It became Superstorm Sandy — but whatever you call it, this storm in late October 2012 was a beast!
It was the worst to hit New York City in centuries. Subway tunnels filled with water, thousands of homes were ruined, and the New York Stock Exchange was forced to close for two business days.
Around 160 people were killed. Eight million power customers lost electricity across 21 states, and damage from wind, rain and heavy snow extended across a large area of the eastern U.S.
4. Northridge earthquake
The Northridge earthquake brought down apartment buildings and freeways.
$76.9 billion
The ground shook for just 10 to 20 seconds in Los Angeles early on Jan. 17, 1994, but the 6.7-magnitude Northridge earthquake was forceful enough to flatten freeways, bring down apartment buildings and set off fires.
People were thrown out of their beds, a freight train derailed, and nine hospitals were so badly wrecked that they had to be taken out of service.
An estimated 125,000 people found themselves homeless, at least temporarily. The rebuilding from the quake would take years. Some 9,000 people were injured, and more than 60 died.
3. Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Maria knocked out power to all of Puerto Rico.
$92.7 billion
Puerto Rico had never seen the kind of devastation done by Hurricane Maria in September 2017. The American territory in the Caribbean took a direct hit from the storm and endured breathtaking ruin and the biggest blackout in U.S. history.
Maria's winds of up to 155 mph knocked out power to entire island and left most of its 3.4 million residents without cellphone service, too. Nearly 8,000 power customers still had no electricity nine months after the storm.
Floodwaters turned roads into raging rivers and sent homeowners scrambling to their rooftops. Maria's official death toll was revised from 64 people to nearly 3,000.
2. Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey turned Houston highways into raging rivers.
$128.8 billion
The National Hurricane Center has declared Hurricane Harvey the wettest hurricane on record because of rainfall that was "truly overwhelming." The storm in August 2017 dumped nearly 6 feet of rain on parts of southeastern Texas.
An estimated 200,000 businesses and homes were destroyed by Harvey, and over 30,000 people were displaced. Half a million vehicles were damaged or destroyed.
When Harvey's flooding was at its worst, around a third of the city of Houston was underwater. Federal authorities rescued 10,000 people from flooded homes and highways. More than 100 storm victims died.
1. Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina flooded 80% of New Orleans.
$166.3 billion
Hurricane Katrina is the costliest and one of the deadliest natural disasters the U.S. has ever seen. People in New Orleans will tell you the city still hasn't completely recovered from the calamity that struck in late August 2005.
Katrina's storm surge led to catastrophic levee failures that forced almost 80% of New Orleans' population to evacuate. The Coast Guard rescued an estimated 34,000 people from rooftops, trees and other places where they'd sought safety.
More than 1,800 people were killed. The storm took a heavy toll on oil production, as 30 oil platforms were damaged or destroyed, and nine refineries were forced to close.
Want more Moneywise? Sign up for our newsletter.
Sponsored
This 2 Minute Move Could Knock $500/Year off Your Car Insurance in 2024
Saving money on car insurance with BestMoney is a simple way to reduce your expenses. You’ll often get the same, or even better, insurance for less than what you’re paying right now.
There’s no reason not to at least try this free service. Check out BestMoney today, and take a turn in the right direction.
