Deadlisest Hurricanes in US History

The Great Miami Hurricane was one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit the United states, particularly affecting the city of Miami, Florida, and the surrounding area. This Category 4 hurricane made landfall on 18th September 1926 leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. With sustained winds of up to 150 mph (240 km/h), the barometric pressure dropped to 930 mbar, reflecting the extreme strength of the cyclone.

This deadly hurricane originated in the tropical Atlantic and moved rapidly northwestward, directly impacting Miami. After passing through the city, it continued its journey toward the Gulf of Mexico, where it eventually made landfall again in Alabama.

The hurricane killed at least 372 people and injured thousands more. Many of the victims were surprised by the sudden arrival of the eye of the hurricane, mistakenly believing that the storm had passed. Parts of Miami were submerged under several feet of water, exacerbating damage to structures and complicating rescue and recovery efforts.

The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane was one of the most intense and deadly hurricanes to impact the United States. This Category 5 hurricane made landfall in the Florida Keys on 2nd September 1935, setting several records due to its strength and the damage caused. With sustained winds estimated at 183 mph (295 km/h), central suppression was recorded at 892 mbar, the lowest measured in the Western Hemisphere at the time.

The name for this devastating American hurricane is because it occurred on Labor Day, generally considered to be the unofficial end of summer. Despite being the most devastating, it was only one of the many hurricanes in the US that year. It formed in the Bahamas and moved rapidly southwest before turning northwest, directly striking the Florida Keys. It then continued northeast along Florida's western coast and then into the Atlantic.

Although relatively small in size, with an eye only 13 km wide, the hurricane's compact structure concentrated its most destructive winds in a limited area. The result was severe damage to ecosystems and infrastructure. The hurricane caused the deaths of at least 423 people. Many of the victims were World War I veterans working on construction projects in the Florida Keys.

Learn more about what is a hurricane and how does it form in our related guide.

Next on our list of the deadliest hurricanes in US history is Hurricane Audrey, a devastating Category 4 tropical cyclone that impacted the Gulf of Mexico region in June 1957. It is remembered not only for its intensity, but also for its deadly impact, especially in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. It generated sustained winds that reached 145 mph (233 km/h). The central pressure of the hurricane dropped to 946 mbar.

Hurricane Audrey caused the deaths of at least 416 people, although some estimates suggest that the number of victims could have been higher. Most of the deaths occurred in Louisiana due to flooding caused by storm surge and torrential rains.

Hurricanes are types of cyclone, but sometimes the terminology is confusing. Help us to elucidate with our article explaining the difference between cyclones and anticyclones.

The Sea Islands are a chain of Atlantic islands on the southern US seaboard. The Sea Islands Hurricane of 1893 was one of the deadliest and most devastating tropical cyclones in United States history. This Category 3 hurricane hit the region which encompasses parts of South Carolina and Georgia in August 1893. It caused massive destruction and high casualties.

This deadly hurricane killed between 1,000 and 2,000 people, making it one of the deadliest hurricanes in United States history. Most of the victims were residents of island and coastal communities, many of whom were African Americans living in extremely vulnerable conditions. The storm surge reached up to 4 meters in some areas, flooding vast regions and destroying vital infrastructure.

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Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating natural disasters in United States history. Although it made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, its impact was catastrophic. This was due to the combination of its strength, the vulnerable geography of the Gulf of Mexico region and failures in preparedness and response to the hurricane disaster.

Katrina initially reached category 5 in the Gulf of Mexico, with sustained winds of up to 174 mph (280 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 902 mbar. The hurricane killed at least 1,833 people, making it one of the deadliest hurricanes in United States history.

It was one of the most devastating tropical cyclones to hit the Gulf of Mexico coast in the 19th century. This Category 4 hurricane made landfall on the Louisiana coast in October 1893, causing massive destruction and a high number of fatalities. Known as the Cheniere Caminada Hurricane, it was so devastating that the fishing community of Cheniere Caminada no longer exists. It was completely wiped out by the storm.

The hurricane reached Category 4 with sustained winds estimated at around 130 mph (209 km/h). The barometric pressure is estimated to have dropped to about 948 mbar. It caused the death of approximately 2,000 people. This is believed to have been mostly the result of storm surge on the vulnerable coastline.

Also known as the San Felipe Segundo Hurricane, this Category 4 hurricane made landfall in September 1928. It caused massive destruction and high casualties, especially in Puerto Rico and Florida. It formed in the tropical Atlantic and followed a westward trajectory, impacting first the Leeward Islands and then Puerto Rico on 13th September 1928.

The Okeechobee Hurricane caused the deaths of approximately 4,078 people, although some estimates suggest that the actual number may have been higher. Most of the deaths occurred in Florida, especially around Lake Okeechobee. This is because levee collapses resulted in catastrophic flooding.

Hurricane Maria was a devastating Category 4 hurricane that severely affected several Caribbean islands in September 2017, with Puerto Rico being the most affected. It reached its maximum intensity as a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 280 km/h before making landfall. When it hit Puerto Rico on 20th September 2017, registering a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 174 mph (250 km/h) and a central pressure of 917 mbar.

The hurricane caused the direct deaths of at least 3,059 people, although subsequent studies suggest the actual number of deaths could be much higher. There is also the factor of deaths caused by the aftermath and lack of essential services which affected local populations.

One of the most destructive and deadliest hurricanes in US history, the San Ciriaco Hurricane is also known as the 1899 Puerto Rico Hurricane or The Great Bahamas Hurricane of 1899. It was one of the longest and deadliest tropical cyclones in Atlantic history. It reached its maximum intensity as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of up to 145 mph (233 km/h). However, when it made landfall in Puerto Rico, it did so as a Category 3 hurricane, with winds of approximately 120 mph (193 km/h).

Despite the relatively slow speeds when reaching landfall, the San Ciriaco Hurricane caused the deaths of more than 3,400 people. While the continental US was affected, the majority of deaths occurred in Puerto Rico. The reasons for such a high hurricane death toll were due to the very heavy rains which caused landslides, the vulnerability of infrastructure and the fact it is the longest-live Atlantic hurricane on record.

Also known as the Galveston Flood or the Great Storm of 1900, this deadly hurricane reached its maximum intensity as a Category 4. It had sustained winds estimated at over 130 mph (209 km/h) and extremely low central barometric pressure.

It is considered one of the deadliest natural disasters in United States history. It is estimated to have killed between 6,000 and 12,000 people, although some estimates suggest even higher numbers. The city of Galveston was almost completely destroyed and thousands of people perished in the catastrophic floods and winds.

Hurricanes are one of the reasons for flooding in various areas. You can learn more about the causes and consequences of floods by reading our related article.

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