We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What Were the Costliest Disasters in US History?

Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 4,584
Share

Hurricane Katrina tops the list of the costliest disasters in US history. Adjusted for 2010 figures, the damage caused by the hurricane exceeded $45 billion US Dollars. That figure is twice the cost of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001. All told, eight of the 10 costliest disasters in US history have been hurricanes. Along with the 9/11 attacks, the January 1994 earthquake in Northridge, California, rounds out the top ten US disasters.

More facts about US disasters:

  • Hurricane Katrina was the third worst hurricane in US history, based on the loss of life. The Galveston hurricane of 8 September 1900 is believed to be the worst hurricane disaster in US history. It is believed to have claimed as many as 8,000 lives, including those lost because of a tidal surge.

  • The Northridge California earthquake of 1994 is considered one of the worst in the history of the US, but it was not the strongest. In 1964, an earthquake that registered 9.2 on the Richter scale occurred in the area of Prince William Sound in Alaska.

  • The 1927 Mississippi River flood is considered to be one of the worst floods in US history. The flooding involved sections of seven states — Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Illinois — and had a significant effect on disaster planning in the nation.

Share
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGeek, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-were-the-costliest-disasters-in-us-history.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.