Top 10 Most Expensive Atlantic Hurricanes of All Time (2021)

Hurricanes are one of the most destructive forces of nature. Due to the rise in global temperatures, they continue and will continue to get stronger as time goes on. With recent super storms such as Sandy, Harvey, and Katrina, the Eastern and Gulf coast of the United States has been ravaged by some of the costliest storms on record. Let’s take a look at the top ten costliest Atlantic hurricanes of all time.

Starting at Number 10 we have Hurricane Michael from 2018. Michael at its peak intensity was a category 5 hurricane that affected Central America, the Gulf Coast, and even portions of the Eastern United States. When all was said and done, the total cost of the damage was a staggering $25.5 billion dollars, and that is only number 10.

Our number 9 spot goes to Hurricane Ivan, another storm that peaked as a Category 5 storm in 2004. After striking the Carribean, Venezuela, and the Gulf Coast, the total bill for the destruction came out to be $26.1 billion, along with the 92 direct lives it took.

Number 8 goes to Hurricane Andrew, one of the most famous hurricanes of the 1990s. Andrew struck Florida, the bahamas, and Louisiana. At its peak the storm was yet another Category 5. Damage came in at $27.3 billion dollars.

Number 7 is claimed by Hurricane Wilma of the 2005 season, which would also churn out Katrina. Wilma caused $27.4 billion dollars to Central America and Florida, while also claiming 52 lives in the process.

Number 6 is taken by a storm just covered on the channel, Hurricane Ike. Ike caused $38 billion dollars in damage to the Texas coast as a Category 4 storm. If you want to find out more about Ike, be sure to check out the recent video.

As we enter the top five storms, the cost of the damage starts to rapidly increase. We jump from just under 40 billion to nearly 70 billion dollars with Hurricane Sandy’s $68.7 billion dollar price tag. Although the storm was only a category 3, it brought devastating destruction to the Eastern United States very late in the year as it struck in late October and into November.

Number four goes to Irma at $77.2 billion. The storm is perhaps most remembered for the damage it caused to the many caribbean islands in its path. The category 5 storm’s damage is still being repaired nearly four years after it struck.

Number 3 is claimed by the famous storm Maria. Maria struck and devastated islands in the Carribean sea before moving onto Puerto Rico where it caused catastrophic damage to the tune of $91.6 billion dollars. The effects of the storm are still being felt to this day.

Number 2 goes to Hurricane Harvey. Harvey is most famous for bringing catastrophic flooding to the Texas coast. The storm stalled out over the city of Houston which buckled under the weight of the pouring rain. Damage estimates for the storm clocked in at a cool $125 billion dollars, a massive jump up from Maria’s total.
Number 1 goes to Hurricane Katrina, perhaps the most famous and destructive hurricane of all time. The super storm destroyed Louisiana, and changed the course of history for the great city of New Orleans. The city continues to recover to this day, as the population has truly never returned to previous levels. Total damage clocked in at north of $125 billion dollars, narrowly edging out Harvey.