To date, around 305 Atlantic hurricanes have been recorded in the U.S. While some have had less impact, some have had devastating impacts on people’s lives and the infrastructure around them.
Reading the history of hurricanes in the U.S. highlights that these tropical storms have not only altered coastlines but have also claimed millions of lives and destroyed billions in damages.
This detailed guide will walk you through a list of the 15 top U.S. cities hit by the worst hurricanes in history.
1. New Orleans, Louisiana – Hurricane Katrina (2005)
Hurricane Katrina is one of the country’s most damaging hurricanes in the history of natural disasters. The hurricane hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005, as a Category 3 hurricane, it resulted in catastrophic flooding after the levees failed. Roughly 80% of the city was underwater after the hurricane, especially neighborhoods around the Lower Ninth Ward, which were completely submerged. The hurricane claimed the lives of 1833 people, most of them in Louisiana. Also, the storm caused an estimated $125 billion in damages, marking it as one of the “costliest” hurricanes.
If you’re interested in extreme weather events, check out our guide on the worst tornadoes in the United States.
2. Galveston, Texas – The Galveston Hurricane (1900)
Recorded as the deadliest hurricane in the U.S., it hit Galveston, Texas, on September 8, 1900. It was a Category 4 storm, with winds of over 145 mph. The hurricane claimed over 8,000 lives, some reports even claiming that the numbers could be over 12,000 as well. Pretty much every infrastructure, building, etc., was destroyed. In response to the catastrophe, the city constructed a seawall and raised its elevation, which has minimized the risks now.
3. Miami, Florida – Great Miami Hurricane (1926)
The Great Miami Hurricane landed as a Category 4 storm on September 18, 1926, reshaping the city and the surrounding area. The hurricane brought with it winds of 150 mph and storm surges over 10 feet. The hurricane led to the deaths of 372 people, although unofficial numbers are reportedly higher. The financial losses from the hurricane reportedly were around $100 million, further adding to the damage. Following the hurricane and its damage, there was a decade long economic hardship.
4. Houston, Texas – Hurricane Harvey (2017)
Another recent hurricane that was debilitating and happened in recent times was Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The hurricane hit Houston on August 25, 2017 as a Category 4 storm. It lingered over Houston for days as a tropical storm, dumping over 50 inches of rain in some areas. Beyond the initial damage, the hurricane also led to unprecedented flooding around the Houston metro area, displacing around 30,000 people. Furthermore, the hurricane claimed the lives of 107 people and led to $125 billion in damage, tying with Katrina as the costliest US hurricane.
Understand the difference between alerts with our guide on hurricane watch vs. warning.
5. Homestead, Florida – Hurricane Andrew (1992)
Tagged as one of the most powerful hurricanes in U.S. history, Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Homestead on August 24, 1992, as a Category 5 storm. The winds were 165 mph and devastated South Florida like no other. The hurricane destroyed thousands of homes in the area, 65 deaths, and $27.3 billion in damages. The destruction from the hurricane further spurred the establishment of Florida’s building codes and emergency management practices.
6. New York City, New York – Hurricane Sandy (2012)
Though downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone by landfall, Hurricane Sandy’s sheer size and storm surge devastated New York City on October 29, 2012. Following the hurricane, the water levels rose over 14 feet in some areas around New York, especially the subways, tunnels, and streets of Manhattan flooded. Due to the storm, around 44 people died in New York City and 233 in total across its path. The cumulative damages due to the hurricane were recorded at $19 billion, with some neighborhoods like Breezy Point and the Rockaways in complete ruin.
7. Biloxi, Mississippi – Hurricane Camille (1969)
Hurricane Camille struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast on August 17, 1969, as one of the Category 5 hurricanes. The winds reached around 190 mph during the storms with a 24-foot storm surge. The majority of Biloxi, along with the surrounding coastal communities, were in ruins. Accordingly, the official death toll was recorded at 259, with some estimates citing that the number could be higher. The storm caused $1.42 billion in damages, owing to issues like inland flooding, especially in Virginia.
8. Lake Charles, Louisiana – Hurricane Laura (2020)
Hitting Lake Charles in Louisiana on August 27, 2020, Hurricane Laura is quite a recent one in the list, one that was reportedly a Category 4 hurricane with 150 mph winds. Since 1856, this was one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the state. It caused widespread destruction, especially around southwestern Louisiana, damaging the majority of the infrastructure around Lake Charles. The hurricane also killed 81 people and caused damage of over $19 billion. It is reported that many people even died of carbon monoxide poisoning during power outages.
9. Key West, Florida – Labor Day Hurricane (1935)
The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 remains the most intense hurricane to ever strike the United States, with winds over 185 miles per hour. The hurricane hit Florida on September 2, 1935, as a Category 5 storm, with a surge of 18-20 feet. Due to the hurricane, some of the worst-hit areas in Florida were the Upper Keys, including Islamorada and parts of Key West. The hurricane also killed 423 people and led to the discontinuation of the Florida East Coast Railway’s Key West extension.
10. Charleston, South Carolina – Hurricane Hugo (1989)
Hurricane Hugo is yet another devastating hurricane in the history of the U.S. It struck Charleston on September 22, 1989, as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 140 mph. The storm demolished the low-lying coastal areas, especially downtown Charleston in South Carolina. Reportedly, around 30 people were killed, and the storm led to $10 billion in damages. Hugo devastated the Francis Marion National Forest, leaving hundreds of thousands powerless. Not just that, several historical buildings were demolished too.
11. Pensacola, Florida – Hurricane Ivan (2004)
Hurricane Ivan is another devastating hurricane that hit the Gulf Shores, Alabama, on September 16, 2004. Ivan was reportedly an intense Category 3 hurricane with winds nearing 120 mph. It also caused an enormous storm surge, further devastating the inland areas. In the areas hit, roughly 57 people were killed and around $27 billion in total damage. One of the most popular infrastructures destroyed was the famous 1-10 bridge alongside numerous homes and power grids in the area.
12. Corpus Christi, Texas – Hurricane Celia (1970)
Hurricane Celia landed near Corpus Christi as a Category 4 storm on August 3, 1970 with wind gusts of around 160 mph. Owing to the storm, around 8000 homes were destroyed, alongside 50,000 buildings were damaged too. Celia further claimed the lives of 28 people and inflicted over $930 million in damage. Not only that, but the sheer wind intensity also caught many off guard. This led to enhancements in the forecasting and emergency preparedness systems for Texas coastal communities in the following years.
Curious about turning your passion for storms into a career? Learn how to become a storm chaser and get paid.
13. Naples, Florida – Hurricane Irma (2017)
Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys on September 10, 201,7 and was categorized as a Category 3 storm, bringing around 140 mph wind gusts and storm surges of up to 10 feet. Due to the hurricane led to devastating floods, toppled trees, and significant infrastructure damage. Reportedly 80-90 people lost their lives, and the hurricane also caused around $77 billion in total damages, making it one of the top five costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. The evacuations and the rescue operations lasted for weeks.
14. New Bern, North Carolina – Hurricane Florence (2018)
Another recently hit hurricane that deserves to be discussed and highlighted is Hurricane Florence, which occurred on September 14, 2018. It was a Category 1 Hurricane, but its slow movement and torrential rains were catastrophic. Owing to the 10-foot storm surge, New Bern, the city near the landfall of the hurricane, was the worst hit, leading to extensive floods. Hundreds of people had to be rescued on boats, and the hurricane led to $24 billion in damages. The following flooding was one of the worst in North Carolina’s history.
15. Port Charlotte, Florida – Hurricane Charley (2004)
Hurricane Charley made landfall near Port Charlotte on August 13, 2004. It was a Category 4 hurricane with wind gusts up to 150 mph. Despite being a “compact” storm, the ferocity of it was what led to the damage. The hurricane claimed around 35 lives and caused $16 billion in damage. Some places, including Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, were the worst hit by the storm, leading to severe structural damage. What surprised people the most about this hurricane was how rapidly it changed its course.
Make sure you’re prepared for any storm by reviewing our guide on building a severe weather emergency kit.
Final Words
Hurricanes are pretty frequent in the U.S. and the impact of this natural disaster is often terrifying and devastating, not just in terms of finances but also in the lives claimed. We have sorted out a list of the top 15 most devastating hurricanes in U.S. history. Despite the debilitating impacts, these storms often showcase stories of resilience, tragedy, and rebuilding, which is quite empowering to read about.
