The 5 Most Notable Hurricanes in U.S. History

1. The Hurricane of Galveston

The Great Galveston is considered the worst hurricane of all time in the U.S. in terms of loss of life. An estimated 8,000 people lost their lives on September 8, 1900, when a Category 4, 15-foot storm surge flooded the city.

2. The Hurricane of Okeechobee

In 1928, the second deadliest hurricane occurred in U.S. history – the Okeechobee Hurricane. At least 2,500 lives were lost during this Category 4 hurricane. It was recorded that a lake surge was the cause of the majority of deaths, with flooding between six and nine feet high.

3. Hurricane Katrina

The third deadliest hurricane is one that most American’s are familiar with – Hurricane Katrina. When the hurricane hit Miami, Florida, in 2005, it was labeled as a Category 5, but later turned into a Category 3 when reaching Louisiana. An estimated 1,200 lives were lost during this storm and the total cost in damages is approximately $108 billion. For this reason, Hurricane Katrina is also the costliest hurricane in U.S. history. Efforts are still being made to restore the community from the storm’s damages.

4. Hurricane of Cheniere

The Cheniere Caminanda Hurricane of 1893 is known as the fourth deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. It resulted in more than 1,100 casualties and was actually one of three deadly hurricanes during the 1983 hurricane season. The Sea Islands Hurricane was another hurricane that occurred during 1893 and resulted in more than 1,000 casualties. Most destruction from both storms were a cause of massive storm surges.

5. Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy is the second costliest hurricane in the U.S. with $71.4 billion in damages. The storm killed 286 people in 2012 in the northeastern region of the country, including New York and New Jersey. Although Hurricane Sandy was the second costliest hurricane, it was actually reduced from a Category 2 hurricane to a tropical storm.

Plan and Take Action

No matter what area or region of the country you reside in, it is always important to have a hurricane plan. You could be living miles inland and still be affected by the storm’s aftermath. You are putting your home, your life, and your family’s lives at risk if you are not prepared for this type of storm. Have a plan, be sure everyone in your home knows the plan, and take action when necessary. Hurricane damage can be incredibly severe depending on the wind speeds and the amount of rain. If you are unsure if your home is hurricane ready, feel free to reach out to your nearest Storm Guard Restoration service provider for your FREE home inspection.