The United States has faced many hurricanes for a long time. These storms have caused a lot of damage. The Galveston Hurricane (1900) and Hurricane Ian (2022) are some of the worst hurricanes to hit the USA ever.
Let us examine some of the deadliest hurricanes in the USA. We have ranked them using data from the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center under NOAA.
Sea Island Hurricane
Time: August 1893
Category: 3
Speed: 120 mph
This hurricane had a devastating impact on Sea Island, Georgia, and nearby coastal areas. The Sea Island Hurricane brought destructive storm surges, torrential rainfall, and strong winds. The storm surge reached a heavy 16-ft. height. It caused widespread damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure along the coast. More than a thousand people lost their lives, and several thousands lost their homes and livelihoods.
Cheniere Caminada Hurricane (Great October Storm)
Time: October, 1893
Category: 4 (Low-end)
Speed: 130 mph (215 km/h)
On October 1, 1893, the Cheniere Caminada Hurricane hit Louisiana. It started in the Caribbean Sea. Then it moved to the Gulf of Mexico. It almost destroyed the village of Cheniere Caminada. The death toll of this disaster ranged between 1100-1400. It was one of the worst disasters in U.S. history.
Galveston Hurricane (‘Great Galveston Hurricane’ or the ‘Galveston Flood’)
Time: August-September 1900
Category: 4
Speed: 145 mph
The Galveston Hurricane in August 1900 was a huge disaster in the U.S. It started in the Atlantic Ocean on August 27, 1900. Then, it hit Galveston, Texas, on September 8. It claimed the lives of more than 8000 people. There was a lack of proper precautions. Thus, this hurricane left thousands of people homeless and caused billions worth of property damage.
San Felipe-Okeechobee Hurricane (San Felipe Segundo Hurricane)
Time: September 1928
Category: 5
Speed: 160 mph
This powerful Category 5 Okeechobee Hurricane made landfall near West Palm Beach in Florida in 1928. One of the most devastating aspects of this hurricane was its storm surge. It flooded the areas around Lake Okeechobee, causing catastrophic flooding. According to sources, more than 4000 people died. Approximately $100 million worth of property damage occurred from this storm’s aftermath.
Florida Keys Labor Day Hurricane
Time: September 1935
Category: 5
Speed: 185 mph
The Florida Keys Labor Day Hurricane made landfall on September 2, 1935. It is one of the deadliest Atlantic hurricanes on record. Almost 18-20 ft of storm surges washed away major coastal areas in the Florida Keys. The most affected victims of this storm were war veterans working in those regions. The estimated death count of this hurricane is around 485.
New England Hurricane (Long Island Express Hurricane)
Time: September 1938
Category: 5 (Category 3 after landfall)
Speed: 160 mph
The New England Hurricane brought with it sustained winds of up to 120 mph. The storm surges reached over 20 feet in some areas. The hurricane’s intensity and rapid movement caught many people off guard. Storm surges swept away coastal communities and destroyed homes. Six hundred eighty-two people lost their lives in this disaster. Around $4.7 billion worth of property damage happened.
Great Atlantic Hurricane
Time: September 1944
Category: 5
Speed: 160 mph
The Great Atlantic Hurricane formed in the tropical Atlantic Ocean as a tropical storm. It later intensified and moved northwestward toward the United States. It peaked on September 13 and landed on September 15 near Long Island. Despite prior knowledge and preparation, approximately 390 people died. The storm also damaged crops and transport lines worth millions of dollars.
Hurricane Audrey
Time: June 1957
Category: 4
Speed: 125 mph
Hurricane Audrey struck the Gulf Coast of the United States in June 1957. Audrey developed rapidly in the Gulf of Mexico before landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border. The storm surge reached heights of up to 12 feet in some areas and swept away homes and residents off-guard. The storm caused high winds and flooding. There were two tornadoes, which caused extra damage. With 416 deaths, this storm is one of the costliest in the USA.
Hurricane Camille
Time: August 1969
Category: 5
Speed: 175 mph
Hurricane Camille was an extremely powerful Category 5 hurricane. It struck the United States Gulf Coast in August 1969. It made landfall near Pass Christian, Mississippi. According to sources, the peak storm surge reached 24 ft. at some places. This disaster caused immense flooding, killed 259 people, and caused property damage worth $11.3 billion (2022).
Hurricane Katrina
Time: August 2005
Category: 5
Speed: 175 mph
Hurricane Katrina is one of the costliest hurricanes in the USA’s history. It wreaked havoc in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and more. The city of New Orleans experienced the worst flooding. Recent reports claim that this storm caused damage of $125 billion, the highest in U.S. history. The death toll reached 1836.
Hurricane Maria
Time: September 2017
Category: 5
Speed: 175 mph
Hurricane Maria, a powerful Category 5 storm, struck the Caribbean and the eastern United States in September 2017. The island of Puerto Rico bore the brunt of Maria’s fury. The region witnessed months of power cuts, water shortages, etc., after the disaster. This hurricane took the lives of around 3000 people. The torrential rainfall during this hurricane created floods and the worst electrical blackout in the USA.