Hurricanes are feared storms for good reasons. These deadly storms can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and can extend hundreds of miles inland. Hurricanes are capable of producing winds exceeding up to 155 miles per hour as well as tornadoes. Storm surges along the coast and extensive damage from heavy rainfall also contribute to the destructive forces from hurricanes.
Statistics show that September is the most common month for hurricanes to make landfall in the U.S., followed by August and October. This is based off a study conducted by the NOAA which covered from the years 1851 to 2011.
Below is a list of the 10 costliest hurricanes to make landfall in the U.S., according to Verisk’s Claim Services. (Based on their insured losses)
10. Hurricane Frances
Date: September 3-9, 2004
States Impacted: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, South Carolina
Estimated Insurances Loss:
- $4,595 billion (when occurred)
- $5,583 billion (in 2014 dollars)
9. Hurricane Rita
Date: September 20-26, 2005
States Impacted: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas
Estimated Insurance Loss:
- $5,627 billion (when occurred)
- $6,624 billion (in 2014 dollars)
8. Hurricane Hugo
Date: September 17-22, 1989
States Impacted: Georgia, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Virginia
Estimated Insurance Loss:
- $4,195 billion (when occurred)
- $7,055 billion (in 2014 dollars)
7. Hurricane Ivan
Date: September 15-21, 2004
States Impacted: Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Estimated Insured Loss:
- $7,110 billion (when occurred)
- $8,639 billion (in 2014 dollars)
6. Hurricane Charley
Date: August 13-14, 2004
States Impacted: Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina
Estimated Insured Loss:
- $7,475 billion (when occurred)
- $9,083 billion (in 2014 dollars)
5. Hurricane Wilma
Date: October 24, 2005
State Impacted: Florida
Estimated Insured Loss:
- $10,300 billion (when occurred)
- $12,125 billion (in 2014 dollars)
4. Hurricane Ike
Date: September 12-14, 2008
States Impacted: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas
Estimated Insured Loss:
- $12,500 billion (when occurred)
- $13,539 billion (in 2014 dollars)
3. Hurricane Sandy
Date: October 28-31, 2012
States Impacted: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Estimated Insured Loss:
- $18,750 billion (when occurred)
- $19,307 billion (in 2014 dollars)
2. Hurricane Andrew
Date: August 24-26, 1992
States Impacted: Florida, Louisiana
Estimated Insured Loss:
- $15,500 billion (when occurred)
- $23,785 billion (in2014 dollars)
1. Hurricane Katrina
Date: August 25-30, 2005
States Impacted: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee
Estimated Insured Loss:
- $41,100 billion (when occurred)
- $48,383 billion (in 2014 dollars)
If you have any questions about insurance coverage, our personal lines department is ready to help you.
Sources: propertycasualty360.com “Here are the 10 most expensive hurricanes in U.S. history (through 2014)“, verisk.com “Property Claim Services“
