The Costliest Hurricanes in U.S. History

Sep 01, 2016

While hurricane season typically lasts between June and October, the most severe weather events tend to occur near the end of summer. That means now. Tropical Storm Hermine is expected to hit Florida late on Thursday or early on Friday, and could wind up being the first hurricane to make landfall in the state since 2005.

This year's hurricane season is expected to be the strongest since Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which tracks and warns of dangerous weather, says there's a 70% chance of seeing between five to eight hurricanes this year -- two to four of which are likely to become major. The toll, in terms of physical, emotional, and financial damage alike, could be brutal.

Collectively, these storms have caused hundreds of billions of damage in the past, in terms of the wreckage to homes and businesses, plus the costs incurred by the need for immediate relief for those affected, like food and water. The slideshow lists the 10 costliest hurricanes in American history, and shows some of the incredible damage done.

Sign Up for Our Newsletters

Sign up to receive the latest updates and smartest advice from the editors of Money

SUBSCRIBE