1. Hurricane Katrina (LA, MS, AL) 2005 Category 5, Estaimated Damage $76,000,000,000
One of the deadliest and the most costly storms in American history occurred during the 2005 hurricane season. This Category 5 storm caused a disaster when a huge storm surge which flooded up to 80% of the major coastal cities. Louisiana was hit the worst and accounts for most of the damage. Hurricane Katrina claimed the lives of 1,604 people making it one of the deadliest in history.
2. Hurricane Andrew (FL, LA) 1992 Category 5, Estimated Damage $45,000,000,000
Striking southern Florida and raging through the Miami area Andrew was one of the most destructive hurricanes on record second only to Katrina. Andrew made a path through Florida and then entered the Gulf of Mexico where it fed off of the warmer waters before striking Louisiana with renewed force. In addition to being rated as one of the costliest Andrew is also on the top 5 list for most intense hurricanes. Fortunately the death toll was fairly low considering the damage it caused.
3. Hurricane Charley (SW FL) 2004 Category 4, Estimated Damage $15,400,000,000
Charley made landfall in Florida on August 13, 2004 just north of Fort Myers with winds of up to 150 mph. Charley was the second tropical storm to hit Florida that day as tropical storm Bonnie hit the northern panhandle near Apalachicola. The storm loosely followed the path of Interstate-4 before leaving land near Daytona Beach. The storm then moved up the east coast of the United States before breaking up. Ten deaths in the United States were attributed to Charley.
4. Hurricane Ivan (AL, NW FL) 2004 Category 3 Estimated Damage $17,700,000,000
Ivan made its first landfall near Gulf Shores, Alabama and moved north-east through the southern United States. Ivan then looped around and crossed back through Florida to cross the Gulf of Mexico a second time and moved onto hit Louisiana and Texas. With winds of 130 miles per hour Ivan claimed the lives of nearly 92 people. During its path across Florida the storm caused several large tornadoes with tore several cities apart and caused 14 of the deaths.
5. Hurricane Hugo (SC, NC) 1989 Category 2, Estimated Damage $15,600,000,000
Making landfall in South Carolina on September 21, 1989 and moving in a northern direction to rage through North Carolina, Hugo was one of the most destructive on record. The storm claimed the lives of approximately 70-100 people and an accurate number cannot be determined since there were several mass graves dug on St. Croix and accurate records were not kept. Most heavily hit were the coastal areas of South Carolina.
