America’s Deadliest Hurricanes Since 1980

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The United States is now one month into the 2025 hurricane season, and in many parts of the country, Americans are closely watching weather reports for developments in the Atlantic and the Gulf. Hurricanes, or tropical cyclones, are the most destructive type of natural disaster in the United States. According to the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration, there have been 67 hurricanes that resulted in over $1 billion in inflation-adjusted damage in the U.S. since 1980. Collectively, these storms resulted in over $1.5 trillion in destruction – more than the combined damage of all other billion-dollar disasters tracked by NOAA, including drought, flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, and winter storms.

Not only are hurricanes the most destructive natural disasters, they are also the deadliest. The 67 major hurricanes to hit the U.S. since 1980 have resulted in more than 7,200 deaths, or an average of about 108 fatalities per storm.

Notably, however, most major hurricanes in the last 45 years have resulted in fewer than 30 deaths – and the high average death rate has been driven by a small handful of singular, catastrophic events. In fact, just 12 storms account for over 80% of all hurricane fatalities in the U.S. since 1980.

Using data from NOAA, Climate Crisis 247 identified the deadliest hurricanes to hit the United States. Only hurricanes that occurred since 1980 and caused over $1 billion in damage in inflation adjusted dollars were considered. Of the 12 hurricanes on this list, the number of fatalities ranges from 77 to nearly 3,000. All but two of these storms hit the U.S. in the 21st century, and half of them occurred within the last 10 years.

Hurricane fatality rates depend on a number of factors, including the size and power of the storm, key infrastructure impacted by the storm, and precautions taken by Americans in the storm’s path. Americans living in the places most frequently impacted by major hurricanes – including Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and the Carolinas – are advised to take certain measures to reduce their risk in the event of a storm.

12. Hurricane Floyd

• Deaths attributed to hurricane: 77
• Damage caused by hurricane: $12.2 billion
• Hurricane start and end date: September 14, 1999 - September 16, 1999
• Impacted states and territories include: North Carolina

 

11. Hurricane Hugo

• Deaths attributed to hurricane: 86
• Damage caused by hurricane: $22.7 billion
• Hurricane start and end date: September 21, 1989 - September 22, 1989
• Impacted states and territories include: North Carolina, South Carolina

 

10. Hurricane Harvey

• Deaths attributed to hurricane: 89
• Damage caused by hurricane: $160.0 billion
• Hurricane start and end date: August 25, 2017 - August 31, 2017
• Impacted states and territories include: Texas

 

9. Hurricane Ida

• Deaths attributed to hurricane: 96
• Damage caused by hurricane: $84.6 billion
• Hurricane start and end date: August 29, 2021 - September 01, 2021
• Impacted states and territories include: Louisiana

 

8. Hurricane Irma

• Deaths attributed to hurricane: 97
• Damage caused by hurricane: $64.0 billion
• Hurricane start and end date: September 06, 2017 - September 12, 2017
• Impacted states and territories include: Florida

 

7. Hurricane Ike

• Deaths attributed to hurricane: 112
• Damage caused by hurricane: $43.2 billion
• Hurricane start and end date: September 12, 2008 - September 14, 2008
• Impacted states and territories include: Texas

 

6. Hurricane Rita

• Deaths attributed to hurricane: 119
• Damage caused by hurricane: $29.4 billion
• Hurricane start and end date: September 20, 2005 - September 24, 2005
• Impacted states and territories include: Louisiana, Texas

 

5. Hurricane Ian

• Deaths attributed to hurricane: 152
• Damage caused by hurricane: $119.6 billion
• Hurricane start and end date: September 28, 2022 - September 30, 2022
• Impacted states and territories include: Florida

 

4. Hurricane Sandy

• Deaths attributed to hurricane: 159
• Damage caused by hurricane: $88.5 billion
• Hurricane start and end date: October 30, 2012 - October 31, 2012
• Impacted states and territories include: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island

 

3. Hurricane Helene

• Deaths attributed to hurricane: 219
• Damage caused by hurricane: $78.7 billion
• Hurricane start and end date: September 24, 2024 - September 29, 2024
• Impacted states and territories include: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia

 

2. Hurricane Katrina

• Deaths attributed to hurricane: 1,833
• Damage caused by hurricane: $201.3 billion
• Hurricane start and end date: August 25, 2005 - August 30, 2005
• Impacted states and territories include: Louisiana

 

1. Hurricane Maria

• Deaths attributed to hurricane: 2981
• Damage caused by hurricane: $115.2 billion
• Hurricane start and end date: September 19, 2017 - September 21, 2017
• Impacted states and territories include: Puerto Rico

 

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