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Graphic shows fatalities and costs of 14 worst hurricanes or trapical storms to hit the U.S. since 1992.
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DISASTERS

Deadliest U.S. hurricanes and storms

By Duncan Mil

August 30, 2017 - The worst hurricanes and tropical storms to hit the U.S. have claimed more than 2,600 lives and cost at least $500 billion in damage over the past 25 years, according to NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

During five days in late August 2005, 560 kilometre-wide, Category 3 Hurricane Katrina was responsible for 1,833 deaths and caused some $160 billion in damage in New Orleans and around the Louisiana-Mississippi border.

Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Rockport, Texas, on August 25 as a Category 4 storm, measuring 320km across. Local officials have reported at least 20 deaths in Texas since the storm began, and the number is expected to rise. Estimates of damage and economic losses caused by Harvey range from $42 billion to more than $100 billion.

Risk modeller Chuck Watson of Enki Research estimates economic losses of $42 billion, according to reports by Bloomberg. Harvey would be about as damaging as Hurricane Andrew, which struck the Bahamas and Florida in mid-August 1992 at the cost of $48 billion.

Analysts including David Havens at Imperial Capital have estimated the costs could top $100 billion, putting Harvey on a par with Katrina.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 30/08/2017; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Associated Press
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