Hurricanes are awe-inspiring, intense storms that frequently leave devastation in their wake. The heavy rains, residual winds and coastal flooding associated with hurricanes can cause lasting damage. Certain hurricanes have gone down in history as being remarkable for all the wrong reasons.
• The Galveston Hurricane (1900): Locally known as “The Great Storm,” this was the deadliest natural disaster in United States history. When adjusted for inflation, this Category 4 storm caused $78 billion in damages.
• The Florida Keys Labor Day Hurricane (1935): This hurricane was known as the “Labor Day Hurricane” because storms were not named until 1953. This Category 5 storm is often considered the strongest U.S. storm of the 20th century due to its 200 mile per hour winds.
• Hurricane David (1979): This powerful Category 5 storm struck the Dominican Republic and the east coast of the United States. While David was not the deadliest storm, it caused economic losses of $1.54 billion and displaced thousands.
• Typhoon Tip (1979): This was the largest and most intense Pacific typhoon ever recorded. At its largest, Tip was nearly half the size of the contiguous United States. Tip affected Japan, Russia, China, Alaska, and the Philippines.
• Hurricane Mitch (1998): Mitch destroyed thousands of homes and predominantly affected Nicaragua and Honduras. It is the second deadliest hurricane on record.
• Hurricane Katrina (2005): A huge Category 5 Atlantic hurricane, Katrina caused billions of dollars in damage in and around New Orleans. Katrina caused significant loss of life and at the time was the costliest tropical cyclone on record (losses associated with Hurricane Harvey in 2017 equaled those of Katrina).
• Hurricane Sandy (2012): Sandy tore through 24 American states before reaching Ontario and Quebec, Canada. While it wasn’t the largest or most powerful storm, it was dubbed a “superstorm” due to unique meteorological events that happened concurrently, resulting in an immense storm surge. It was the fifth costliest hurricane in U.S. history.
