iSubject: E1) Which is the most intense tropical cyclone on record?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
There are several ways of measuring a tropical cyclone's intensity,
either central pressure or its highest measured wind speed.
Typhoon Tip in the Northwest Pacific Ocean on 12 October 1979 was
measured to have a central pressure of 870 mb and estimated surface
sustained winds of 85 m/s (165 kt, 190 mph) (Dunnavan and Diercks 1980).
Typhoon Nancy on 12 September, 1961 is listed in the best track data for
the Northwest Pacific region as having an estimated maximum sustained
winds of 95 m/s (185 kt, 213 mph) with a central pressure of 888
mb. However, it is now recognized (Black 1992) that the maximum sustained
winds estimated for typhoons during the 1940s to 1960s were too strong and
that the 95 m/s (and numerous 83 to 93 m/s reports) is somewhat too
high. In 2010, the WMO announced a new winner with Tropical Cyclone
Olivia which struck Australia in 1996. The winds were measured at 113 m/s
(220 kt, 253 mph)! This exceed the previous record holder for surface
wind speeds held by the Mt. Washington Observatory since 1934.
Note that Hurricane Wilma's 882 mb lowest pressure (estimated from a
dropsonde) in 2005 is the most intense [as measured by lowest sea level
pressure] for the Atlantic basin, it is almost 12 mb weaker (higher) than the
above Typhoon Tip of the Northwest Pacific Ocean.
While the central pressures for the Northwest Pacific typhoons are
the lowest globally, the North Atlantic hurricanes have provided sustained
wind speeds possibly comparable to the Northwest Pacific. From the best
track database, Hurricane Camille (1969) and Hurricane Allen (1980) have
winds that are estimated to be 85 m/s (165 kt, 190 mph). Measurements of
such winds are inherently going to be suspect as instruments often are
completely destroyed or damaged at these speeds.
Last Updated April 21, 2010
Subject: E2) Which tropical cyclone intensified the fastest?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
Hurricane Wilma in 2005 went from 954 mb to 901 mb in a 5 hour 23 minute
period for a 9.8 mb/hr pressure drop. The winds went from 70 to 82 m/s
(130 kt to 160 kt, 150 mph to 184 mph) in that period. Hurricane Beulah
in 1967 underwent a 6.33 mb/hr drop over a six hour period.
In the West Pacific, Typhoon Forrest in September 1983 deepened by 100 mb
(976 to 876 mb) in just under 24 hr (Roger Edson, personal communication)
. Estimated surface sustained winds increased a maximum of 15 m/s (30 kt,
35 mph) in 6 hr and 44 m/s (85 kt, 98 mph) in one day (from 33 to 77 m/s
[65 to 150 kt, 75 to 173 mph]).
Revised November 28, 2006
Subject: E3) Which tropical cyclone has produced the highest storm surge?
Contributed by Chris Landsea (NHC) and Neal Dorst (HRD)
The Bathurst Bay Hurricane, also known as Tropical Cyclone Mahina, struck
Bathurst Bay, Australia in 1899. According to (Whittingham 1958) it
produced a 13 m (about 42 ft) surge, but other contemporary accounts place
the surge at 14.6 m (almost 48 ft). Fish and dolphins were reported found
ontop of 15 m cliffs.
However, more recent scholarship points to the fact that centeral pressure
estimates for the storm call these surge values into question. Nott et al.
(2014). Instead they propose that wave action, wave set-up, and wave run-up
were responsible for driving the debris over the cliff tops. A more
reasonable estimate of the surge height for Mahina might be 9 m (30 ft).
Last Revised May 12, 2014
Subject: E4) What are the largest rainfalls associated with tropical
cyclones?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
Cyclone Tropicale Gamede from La Reunion radar
Time Amount Location Name Date
Period
12 hr 1144 mm (45.0") Foc-Foc,La Reunion Denise 7-8 January, 1966
24 hr 1825 mm (71.8") Foc-Foc,La Reunion Denise 7-8 January, 1966
48 hr 2467 mm (97.1") Aurere,La Reunion Unnamed 8-10 April, 1958
72 hr 3929 mm (154.6")Commerson,La Reunion Gamede 24-27 February, 2007
10 day 5678 mm (223.5")Commerson,La Reunion Hyacinthe 18-27 January, 1980
(Holland 1993)
Email from Philippe Caroff RSMC La Reunion March 12, 2007
Subject: E5) Which are the largest and smallest tropical cyclones on record?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
Typhoon Tip had gale force winds (17 m/s [34 kt, 39 mph]) which extended
out for 1100 km [675 mi.]in radius in the Northwest Pacific on 12
October, 1979 (Dunnavan and Diercks 1980). Tropical Cyclone Tracy had
gale force winds that only extended 50 km [30 mi.] radius when it struck
Darwin, Australia, on 24 December,1974 (Bureau of Meteorology 1977).
Subject: E6) Which tropical cyclone lasted the longest?
Contributed by Neal Dorst
Hurricane/Typhoon John lasted 31 days as it traveled both the
Northeast and Northwest Pacific basins during August and September 1994.
(It formed in the Northeast Pacific, reached hurricane force there, moved
across the dateline and was renamed Typhoon John, and then finally recurved
back across the dateline and renamed Hurricane John again.) Hurricane Ginger
was a tropical cyclone for 28 days in the North Atlantic Ocean back in 1971.
It should be noted that prior to the weather satellite era (1961) many
tropical cyclones' life cycles could be underestimated.
Atlantic Hurricanes
RANK No. of DAYS NAME and YEAR
1 27.75 STORM 3 OF 1899
2 27.00 GINGER 1971
3 24.75 INGA 1969
4 22.00 NADINE 2012
5 21.00 STORM 4 OF 1926
6 20.75 CARRIE 1957
STORM OF 1926
7 20.25 INEZ 1966
Basin Average 5.81
East Pacific Hurricanes
RANK No. of DAYS NAME and YEAR
1 30.00 JOHN 1994
2 24.50 TINA 1992
3 24.00 PAKA 1997
4 20.75 KEONI 1993
5 20.50 BORIS 1984
Basin Average 5.65
West Pacific Typhoons
RANK No. of DAYS NAME and YEAR
1 26.00 PAGE 1990
2 24.50 RITA 1972
3 24.00 PAKA 1997
4 21.75 ORSON 1996
VERNE 1994
6 21.25 WAYNE 1986
7 20.75 OWEN 1990
Basin Average 7.41
Last Updated June 1, 2016
Subject: E7) What is the farthest a tropical cyclone has traveled ?
Contributed by Neal Dorst and Sandy Delgado
Here are lists of the longest path lengths (rounded off) for three basins
since the start of the satellite era (1961). These paths are based on distance
traveled from the first advisory until the last advisory while the system was
still considered 'tropical.'
Atlantic Distance Distance
Storm (km) (n.mi)
FAITH (1966) 12700 6860
ALBERTO (2000) 10670 5760
STORM 3 (1899) 10420 5630
STORM 2 (1930) 10130 5470
IVAN (2004) 9965 5380
STORM 3 (1853) 9770 5275
CLEO (1964) 9660 5215
Basin average 2778 1500
East Pacific Distance Distance
Central Pacific (km) (n.mi)
Storm
JOHN (1994)* 13180 7115
DORA (1999)* 10390 5610
FICO (1978) 8710 4705
OLIWA (1997)* 8470 4590
DANIEL (2000) 8100 4375
GUILLERMO (1997) 8055 4350
Basin average 2190 1180
* track extended into western Pacific
West Pacific Distance Distance
Storm (km) (n.mi)
FAYE (1965) 8750 4700
NANCY (1961) 8110 4380
PARMA (2003) 7600 4100
MIREILLE (1991) 7300 3940
WYNNE (1987) 7275 3925
Basin average 2630 1420
Supplied by Digital Typhoon database
South Pacific Distance Distance
Storm (km) (n.mi)
REWA (1993) 8920 4790
MADGE (1972) 6110 3280
MARCELLE (1972) 5350 2875
BERTHA (1958) 4795 2575
IDYLLE (1978) 4790 2570
Basin average ---- ----
Supplied by Digital Typhoon database
Last updated May 25, 2016
Subject: E8) What hurricanes have been at Category Five status the longest?
Contributed by Neal Dorst
Here are lists of storms which sustained Cat 5 status (winds > 155mph)
the longest for three basins since the start of the reconnaissance era (1944).
These times are based on the six hourly advisories issued by NHC or JTWC.
Atlantic hurricanes Duration
ALLEN (1980) 3.00 days
IVAN (2004) 3.00 days
ISABEL (2003) 1.75 days
MITCH (1998) 1.75 days
DAVID (1979) 1.75 days
CAMILLE (1969) 1.50 days
East Pacific hurr. Duration
IOKE (2006) 3.00 days
PAKA (1997) 2.50 days
JOHN (1994) 1.75 days
OLIWA (1997) 1.75 days
LINDA (1997) 1.75 days
PATRICIA (2015) 1.00 day
RICK (2009) 1.00 day
GUILLERMO (1997) 1.00 day
AVA (1973) 1.00 day
West Pacific typhoons Duration
NANCY (1961) 5.50 days
KAREN (1962) 4.25 days
SALLY (1954) 4.00 days
DINAH (1959) 3.75 days
NINA (1953) 3.50 days
Last updated June 1, 2016
Subject: E9) Which tropical cyclones have caused the most deaths and most
damage?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
"The death toll in the infamous Bangladesh Cyclone of 1970 has had
several estimates, some wildly speculative, but it seems certain that
at least 300,000 people died from the associated storm tide [surge]
in the low-lying deltas." (Holland 1993)
The largest damage caused by a tropical cyclone as estimated by monetary
amounts has been Hurricane Katrina (2005) as it struck the Bahamas, Florida,
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama: US $40.6 billion in insured
losses, and an estimated $108 billion in total losses. This compares to $50
billion for Sandy (2012) and $37.5 billion for Ike (2008).
However, if one normalizes hurricane damage by inflation, wealth changes and
coastal county population increases, then Katrina is only the third worst,
after the 1926 Great Miami Hurricane and the lethal 1900 Galveston Hurricane.
If the 1926 storm hit in 2005, it is estimated that it would cause over $140
billion in damages, and the 1900 storm about $92 billion (Pielke, Gratz,
Landsea, Collins, Saunders, Musulin 2006).
Revised May 10, 2013
Subject: E10) What are the average, most, and least tropical cyclones
occurring in each basin?
Contributed by Chris Landsea (NHC) and Sandy Delgado (NHC)
Record number of storms by basin
Based on data from 1981-2010
(1981/82 to 2010/2011 for the Southern Hemisphere)
Tropical Storm or stronger Hurricane/Typhoon/Severe
(> 17 m/s sustained winds) Tropical Cyclone
(> 33 m/s sustained winds)
Basin Most Least Average Most Least Average
Atlantic* 28 4 12.1 15 2 6.4
NE/CenPac** 28 8 16.6 16 3 8.9
NW Pacific 39 14 26.0 26 5 16.5
N Indian 10 2 4.8 5 0 1.5
SW Indian 14 4 9.3 8 1 5.0
Aus SE Indian 16 3 7.5 8 1 3.6
Aus SW Pacific 20 4 9.9 12 1 5.2
Globally 102 69 86.0 59 34 46.9
* Note that the data includes subtropical storms in the Atlantic basin
numbers. (Neumann 1993)
** Note that the data includes storms and hurricanes that formed
in the Central Pacific.
These values are based on data supplied by the WMO Regional
Meteorological Center responsible for tropical cyclone forecasting for
that particular basin.
Starting in 1944, systematic aircraft reconnaissance was commenced for
monitoring both tropical cyclones and disturbances that had the potential to
develop into tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin. This is why both
Neumann et al. (1993) and Landsea (1993) recommend utilizing data
since 1944 for computing Atlantic climatological statistics. However, for
tropical cyclones striking the USA East and Gulf coasts - because of highly
populated coastlines, data with good reliability extends back to around 1899.
Thus, the following records hold for the entire Atlantic basin (from
1944-present) and for the USA coastline (1899-present). For other basins
an appropriate starting date was selected for when satisfactory satellite
coverage became available.
Category Maximum Minimum
Atlantic Basin
(1944-present)
Named storms 28 (2005) 4 (1983)
Hurricanes 15 (2005) 2 (1982,2013)
Major Hurricanes 7 (2005) 0 (many times,2013 last)
USA landfalling
(1899-present)
Named storms 9 (2004) 0 (1990)
Hurricanes 6+ (many, 2005) 0 (many,2015)
Major hurricanes 4 (2005) 0 (many,2015)
Northeast/Central Pacific Basin
(1966-present)
Named storms 28 (1992) 8 (1977,2010)
>Hurricanes 16 (many,2015) 3 (2010)
Major hurricanes 11 (2015) 0 (many,2003)
Northwest Pacific Basin
(1960-present)
Named storms 39 (1964) 14 (2010)
Typhoons 26 (1964) 5 (1999)
Super typhoons 11 (1965,1997) 1 (1999,2010)
+ 1886 is recorded as the most active hurricane season for the
continental USA with 7 landfalling hurricanes.
Last updated June 1, 2016
Subject: E11) How many tropical cyclones have there been each year in
the Atlantic basin? What years were the greatest and fewest seen?
Contributed by Chris Landsea (NHC)
The Atlantic hurricane database (or HURDAT) extends back to 1851.
However, because tropical storms and hurricanes spend much of their
lifetime over the open ocean - some never hitting land - many systems
were "missed" during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries (Vecchi
and Knutson 2008). Starting in 1944, systematic aircraft reconnaissance
was commenced for monitoring both tropical cyclones and disturbances
that had the potential to develop into tropical storms and hurricanes.
This did provide much improved monitoring, but still about half of the
Atlantic basin was not covered (Sheets 1990). Beginning in 1966, daily
satellite imagery became available at the National Hurricane Center, and thus
statistics from this time forward are most complete (McAdie et al. 2009).
For hurricanes striking the USA Atlantic and Gulf coasts, one can go back
further in time with relatively reliable counts of systems because enough
people have lived along coastlines since 1900.
Thus, the following records for the period of reliable data hold for the
entire Atlantic basin (from 1966-2014) and for the USA coastline (1900-2014):
Category Average Maximum Years Minimum Years
Named storms (including subtropical storms)
11.7 & 28 2005 4 1983
Hurricanes 6.3 15 2005 2 1982,2013
Major Hurr 2.4 7 2005* 0 many times, last 2013
USA landfalling
hurricanes 1.7 6 0 many, last 2015
1985, 2004, 2005+
USA landfalling
major hurricanes 0.6 4 2005 0 many, last 2015
####
Named storms 11.7& 28 2005 4 1983
(including
subtropical
storms)
Hurricanes 6.3 15 2005 2 1982,2013
Major
Hurricanes 2.4 7 2005* 0 many times, last 2013
USA landfalling
hurricanes 1.7 6 1985,2004, 0 many, last 2013
2005+
USA landfalling
major hurricanes 0.6 4 2005 0 many, last 2014
Footnotes:
& Landsea et al. (2010) documented a rather large increase in short-lived
tropical storms and hurricanes in the last decade, which is likely due to
improved monitoring capabilities, that may be influencing the climatological
average number of TCs in the Atlantic basin. With the artificial jump in the
2000s in the frequency of short-lived systems, a more realistic estimate of
the long-term climatology may be closer to 13 tropical storms and hurricanes
per year.
* 1950 is recorded as the busiest season in the whole database for number of
Major Hurricanes with 8.
+ 1886 is recorded as the most active hurricane season for the continental USA
with 7 landfalling hurricanes.
Atlantic basin
Individual years with the numbers in each category
Year Named Storms Hurricanes Major Hurricanes ACE
1851 6 3 1 36
1852 5 5 1 73
1853 8 4 2 76
1854 5 3 1 31
1855 5 4 1 18
1856 6 4 2 49
1857 4 3 0 40
1858 6 6 0 45
1859 8 7 1 56
1860 7 6 1 62
1861 8 6 0 50
1862 6 3 0 46
1863 9 5 0 50
1864 5 3 0 27
1865 7 3 0 49
1866 7 6 1 84
1867 9 7 1 60
1868 4 3 0 35
1869 10 7 1 51
1870 11 10 2 88
1871 8 6 2 88
1872 5 4 0 65
1873 5 3 2 69
1874 7 4 0 47
1875 6 5 1 72
1876 5 4 2 57
1877 8 3 1 73
1878 12 10 2 181
1879 8 6 2 64
1880 11 9 2 131
1881 7 4 0 59
1882 6 4 2 59
1883 4 3 2 67
1884 4 4 1 72
1885 8 6 0 58
1886 12 10 4 166
1887 19 11 2 181
1888 9 6 2 85
1889 9 6 0 104
1890 4 2 1 33
1891 10 7 1 116
1892 9 5 0 116
1893 12 10 5 231
1894 7 5 4 135
1895 6 2 0 69
1896 7 6 2 136
1897 6 3 0 55
1898 11 5 1 113
1899 10 5 2 151
1900 7 3 2 83
1901 13 6 0 99
1902 5 3 0 33
1903 10 7 1 102
1904 6 4 0 30
1905 5 1 1 28
1906 11 6 3 163
1907 5 0 0 13
1908 10 6 1 95
1909 12 6 4 93
1910 5 3 1 64
1911 6 3 0 35
1912 7 4 1 57
1913 6 4 0 36
1914 1 0 0 3
1915 6 5 3 130
1916 15 10 5 144
1917 4 2 2 61
1918 6 4 1 40
1919 5 2 1 55
1920 5 4 0 30
1921 7 5 2 87
1922 5 3 1 55
1923 9 4 1 49
1924 11 5 2 100
1925 4 1 0 7
1926 11 8 6 230
1927 8 4 1 56
1928 6 4 1 83
1929 5 3 1 48
1930 3 2 2 50
1931 13 3 1 48
1932 15 6 4 170
1933 20 11 6 259
1934 13 7 1 48
1935 8 5 3 106
1936 17 7 1 100
1937 11 4 1 66
1938 9 4 2 78
1939 6 3 1 34
1940 9 6 0 68
1941 6 4 3 52
1942 11 4 1 63
1943 10 5 2 94
1944 14 8 3 104
1945 11 5 2 63
1946 6 3 1 22
1947 9 5 2 112
1948 9 6 4 106
1949 13 7 3 98
1950 13 11 8 243
1951 10 8 5 137
1952 7 6 3 87
1953 14 6 4 104
1954 11 8 2 113
1955 12 9 6 199
1956 8 4 2 54
1957 8 3 2 84
1958 10 7 5 121
1959 11 7 2 77
1960 7 4 2 88
1961 11 8 7 205
1962 5 3 1 36
1963 9 7 2 118
1964 12 6 6 170
1965 6 4 1 84
1966 11 7 3 145
1967 8 6 1 122
1968 8 4 0 45
1969 18 12 5 166
1970 10 5 2 40
1971 13 6 1 97
1972 7 3 0 36
1973 8 4 1 48
1974 11 4 2 68
1975 9 6 3 76
1976 10 6 2 84
1977 6 5 1 25
1978 12 5 2 63
1979 9 5 2 93
1980 11 9 2 149
1981 12 7 3 100
1982 6 2 1 32
1983 4 3 1 17
1984 13 5 1 84
1985 11 7 3 88
1986 6 4 0 36
1987 7 3 1 34
1988 12 5 3 103
1989 11 7 2 135
1990 14 8 1 97
1991 8 4 2 36
1992 7 4 1 76
1993 8 4 1 39
1994 7 3 0 32
1995 19 11 5 228
1996 13 9 6 166
1997 8 3 1 41
1998 14 10 3 182
1999 12 8 5 177
2000 15 8 3 119
2001 15 9 4 110
2002 12 4 2 67
2003 16 7 3 176
2004 15 9 6 227
2005 28 15 7 250
2006 10 5 2 79
2007 15 6 2 74
2008 16 8 5 146
2009 9 3 2 53
2010 19 12 5 165
2011 19 7 4 126
2012 19 10 2 129
2013 14 2 0 36
2014 8 6 2 67
2015 11 4 2 63
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Average
1968-2015 11.8 6.2 2.4 95.4
Standard Deviation
1968-2015 4.57 2.90 1.70 58.9
Named Storms=>Tropical Storms, Hurricanes and Subtropical Storms
Hurricanes => Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale 1 to 5
Major Hurricanes=>Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale 3, 4, or 5
"ACE" => Accumulated Cyclone Energy - An index that combines the numbers of
systems, how long they existed and how
intense they became. It is calculated by squaring the maximum
sustained surface wind in the system every six hours that the
cyclone is a Named Storm and summing it up for the season. It
is expressed in 104 kt2.
References:
Landsea,C.W., G.A. Vecchi, L. Bengtsson, and T. R. Knutson, 2010:
Impact of Duration Thresholds on Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Counts.
Journal of Climate, 23(10), 2508-2519.
McAdie, C. J., C. W. Landsea, C. J. Neuman, J. E. David, E. Blake, and
G. R. Hamner, 2009: Tropical Cyclones of the North Atlantic Ocean,
1851-2006. Historical Climatology Series 6-2,Prepared by the National
Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC in cooperation with the National
Hurricane Center, Miami, FL, 238 pp.
Sheets, R.C., 1990: "The National Hurricane Center - Past, present, and
future.", Wea. Forecasting,5, 185-232.
Vecchi, G.A. and T. R. Knutson, 2008. "On estimates of historical North
Atlantic tropical cyclone activity.", J. Climate, 21, 3580.
Last Revised : June 1, 2016
Subject: E12) What have been the deadliest hurricanes for the USA?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
RANK HURRICANE YEAR CAT DEATHS COMMENTS
1 TX (Galveston) 1900 4 8000-12,000
2 FL 1928 4 2500-3000 Same storm as #13 ADDENDUM
(SE/Lake Okeechobee)
3 KATRINA 2005 3 1500 Deaths directly attributed
(LA,MS,AL,FL,GA)
4 LA 1893 4 1100-1400 2000 including offshore
(Cheniere Caminanda) deaths August
5 SC/GA 1893 3 1000-2000
(Sea Islands)
6 GA/SC 1881 2 700
7 AUDREY 1957 4 >416
(SW LA/N TX)
8 FL (Keys) 1935 5 408
9 LA 1856 4 400 With offshore deaths total is
(Last Island) ~600
10 FL (Miami) 1926 4 372
/MS/AL/Pensacola
11 LA (Grand Isle) 1909 3 350
12 FL (Keys)/S TX 1919 4 287 With offshore deaths total is
~600
13 LA (New Orleans)1915 4 275
14 TX (Galveston) 1915 4 275
15 New England 1938 3 256 With offshore deaths total is
~600
16 CAMILLE 1969 5 256
(MS/SE LA/VA)
17 DIANE (NE U.S.) 1955 1 184
18 GA, SC, NC 1898 4 179
19 TX 1875 3 176
20 SE FL 1906 3 164
21 TX (Indianola) 1886 4 150
22 MS/AL/Pensacola 1906 2 134
23 FL, GA, SC 1896 3 130
24 AGNES 1972 1 >122
(FL/NE US)
25 HAZEL (SC/NC) 1954 4 95
26 BETSY 1965 3 75
(SE FL/SE LA)
** SANDY (NJ,NY,CN)2012 - 72
27 Northeast U.S. 1944 3 64 Total 390 with offshore deaths
28 CAROL (NE U.S.) 1954 3 60
29 FLOYD 1999 2 56
(Mid Atlantic & NE U.S.)
30 NC 1883 2 53
31 SE FL/SE LA/MS 1947 4 51
32 NC, SC 1899 3 >50 Same storm as #2 in ADDENDUM
32 GA/SC/NC 1940 2 50
32 DONNA 1960 4 50
(FL/Eastern U.S.)
35 LA 1860 2 >47
36 IRENE 2011 1 47
37 NC, VA 1879 3 >46 Could include offshore deaths
38 CARLA 1961 4 46
(N & Central TX)
39 TX (Velasco) 1909 3 41
39 ALLISON (SE TX) 2001 TS 41
41 Mid-Atlantic 1889 unk >40 Could include offshore deaths
Storm remained offshore
41 TX (Freeport) 1932 4 40
41 S TX 1933 3 40
44 HILDA (LA) 1964 3 38
45 SW LA 1918 3 34
46 SW FL 1910 3 30
47 ALBERTO 1994 TS 30
(NW FL, GA, AL)
48 SC, FL 1893 3 28 Mid-October
49 New England 1878 2 >27
50 Texas 1886 2 >27
ADDENDUM (Not Atlantic/Gulf Coast)
2 Puerto Rico 1899 3 3369 Same storm as #32
5 P.R. USVI 1867 3 <811 Could include offshore deaths
5 Puerto Rico 1852 1 <800 Total possibly from 2 storms
13 Puerto Rico 1928 5 312 Same storm as #2
(San Felipe)
17 USVI, Puerto Rico 1932 2 225
25 DONNA (St. Thomas, VI) 1960 4 107
25 Puerto Rico 1888 1 >100
37 Southern California 1939 TS 45
37 ELOISE(Puerto Rico) 1975 TS 44
47 USVI 1871 3 >27
** SANDY 2012 was not classified a tropical cyclone when it came ashore
but is placed in this table for reference relative to other storms.
From The Deadliest, Costliest, and Most Intense United States Tropical
Cyclones from 1851 to 2006 (and other Frequently Requested Hurricane Facts)
NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS TPC-5 April 15, 2007, Eric S. Blake,
Edward N. Rappaport, Christopher W. Landsea.
Last updated May 22, 2013
Subject: E13) What have been the costliest tropical cyclones in
the United States?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
This table lists the 30 costliest tropical cyclones to strike the U.S.
mainland 1900-2012. No monetary estimates are available before 1900 and
figures are not adjusted for inflation.
The thirty costliest mainland United States tropical cyclones
1900-2012 Unadjusted $s
RANK HURRICANE YEAR CATEGORY DAMAGE (U.S.)
1 KATRINA (SE FL/LA) 2005 3 $108,000,000,000
- SANDY (NJ/NY/CN)** 2012 ET 71,400,000,000
2 IKE (TX/LA) 2008 2 29,500,000,000
3 ANDREW (SE FL/SE LA) 1992 5 26,500,000,000
4 WILMA (S FL) 2005 3 20,600,000,000
5 IRENE (NC) 2011 1 15,600,000,000
6 CHARLEY (SW FL) 2004 4 15,000,000,000
7 IVAN (AL/NW FL) 2004 3 14,200,000,000
8 RITA (N TX/W LA) 2005 3 10,000,000,000
9 FRANCES (FL) 2004 2 8,900,000,000
10 HUGO (SC) 1989 4 7,000,000,000
11 JEANNE (FL) 2004 3 6,900,000,000
12 ALLISON (N TX)* 2001 TS 5,000,000,000
13 FLOYD 1999 2 4,500,000,000
(Mid-Atlantic & NE U.S.)
14 GUSTAV (LA) 2008 2 4,300,000,000
15 ISABEL (Mid-Atlantic) 2003 2 3,370,000,000
16 FRAN (NC) 1996 3 3,200,000,000
17 OPAL (NW FL/AL) 1995 3 3,000,000,000
18 FREDERIC (AL/MS) 1979 3 2,300,000,000
19 DENNIS (NW FL) 2005 1 2,200,000,000
20 AGNES (FL/NE U.S.) 1972 1 2,100,000,000
21 ALICIA (N TX) 1983 3 2,000,000,000
22 OPHELIA (NC) 2005 1 1,600,000,000
23 BOB (NC, NE U.S) 1991 2 1,500,000,000
23 JUAN (LA) 1985 1 1,500,000,000
25 CAMILLE (MS/SE LA/VA) 1969 5 1,420,700,000
26 BETSY (SE FL/SE LA) 1965 3 1,420,500,000
27 ELENA (MS/AL/NW FL) 1985 3 1,250,000,000
28 DOLLY (TX) 2008 1 1,050,000,000
29 GEORGES (FL Keys, MS, AL)1998 2 1,155,000,000
30 GLORIA (Eastern U.S.) 1985 3 900,000,000
ADDENDUM Non-CONUS damage
(Rank is independent of other events in group)
22 GEORGES (USVI,PR) 1998 3 $1,800,000,000
22 INIKI (Kauai, HI) 1992 Unk. 1,800,000,000
23 MARILYN (USVI, PR) 1995 2 1,500,000,000
30 HUGO (USVI, PR) 1989 4 1,000,000,000
Notes:
* Only of Tropical Storm intensity
** Post-Tropical at landfall
The second table reorders the first list after adjusting to 2012 dollars.
Non-CONUS tropical cyclones are listed as addenda to these tables.
The thirty costliest mainland United States tropical cyclones
1900-2012 Adjusted to 2012 $s
RANK HURRICANE YEAR CATEGORY DAMAGE (U.S.)
1 KATRINA (SE FL/LA) 2005 3 $127,000,000,000
- SANDY (NJ/NY/CN)** 2012 ET 71,400,000,000
2 ANDREW (SE FL/SE LA) 1992 5 43,370,000,000
3 IKE (TX/LA) 2008 2 31,500,000,000
4 WILMA (S FL) 2005 3 24,200,000,000
5 CHARLEY (SW FL) 2004 4 18,200,000,000
6 IVAN (AL/NW FL) 2004 3 17,250,000,000
7 IRENE (NC) 2011 1 15,900,000,000
8 HUGO (SC) 1989 4 12,950,000,000
9 RITA (N TX/W LA) 2005 3 11,750,000,000
10 AGNES (FL/NE U.S.) 1972 1 11,500,000,000
11 FRANCES (FL) 2004 2 10,800,000,000
12 BETSY (SE FL/SE LA) 1965 3 10,350,000,000
13 CAMILLE (MS/SE LA/VA) 1969 5 8,800,000,000
14 JEANNE (FL) 2004 3 8,400,000,000
15 FREDERIC (AL/MS) 1979 3 7,300,000,000
16 ALLISON (N TX)* 2001 TS 6,500,000,000
17 FLOYD 1999 2 6,200,000,000
(Mid-Atlantic & NE U.S.)
18 FRAN (NC) 1996 3 4,700,000,000
19 ALICIA (N TX) 1983 3 4,600,000,000
20 GUSTAV (LA) 2008 2 4,600,000,000
21 OPAL (NW FL/AL) 1995 3 4,500,000,000
22 ISABEL (Mid-Atlantic) 2003 2 4,200,000,000
23 JUAN (LA) 1985 1 3,200,000,000
24 ELENA (MS/AL/NW FL) 1985 3 2,700,000,000
25 DENNIS (NW FL) 2005 1 2,600,000,000
26 BOB (NC, NE U.S) 1991 2 2,500,000,000
27 GLORIA (Eastern U.S.) 1985 3 1,900,000,000
28 OPHELIA (NC) 2005 1 1,880,000,000
29 GEORGES (FL Keys, MS, AL)1998 2 1,620,000,000
30 DOLLY (TX) 2008 1 1,120,000,000
ADDENDUM Non-CONUS damage
(Rank is independent of other events in group)
26 GEORGES (USVI,PR) 1998 3 $2,500,000,000
24 INIKI (Kauai, HI) 1992 Unk. 2,950,000,000
27 MARILYN (USVI, PR) 1995 2 2,300,000,000
29 HUGO (USVI, PR) 1989 4 1,850,000,000
Notes:
* Only of Tropical Storm intensity
**Post-Tropical at landfall
The third table also lists the thirty costliest hurricanes 1900-2005 assuming
that a hurricane having the same track, size and intensity as noted in the
historical record would strike the area with 2005 population totals and
property-at-risk. Because of the complex formulation, updating this table will
have to await an update of the referenced publication. (Pielke et al 2006)
Ranked Using 2005 Inflation, Population, and Wealth Normalizationk
RANK HURRICANE YEAR Cat Adjusted Damage (Millions)
1 SE FL/MS/AL 1926 4 $ 157,000
2 N TX (Galveston)1900 4 99,400
3 KATRINA (LA) 2005 3 81,000
4 N TX (Galveston)1915 4 68,000*
5 ANDREW 1992 5 55,800
(SE FL/SE LA)
6 New England 1938 3 39,200
7 SW FL 1944 3 38,700
8 SE FL 1928 4 33,600
9 DONNA 1960 4 26,800
(FL/Eastern U.S.)
10 CAMILLE 1969 5 21,200
(MS/SE LA/VA)
11 WILMA (SW FL) 2005 3 20,600
12 BETSY 1965 3 17,900
(SE FL/SE LA)
13 DIANE (NE U.S.) 1955 1 17,200
14 AGNES 1972 1 17,200
(FL/NE U.S.)
15 HAZEL (SC/NC) 1954 4 16,500
16 CHARLEY (SW FL) 2004 4 16,300
17 CAROL (NE U.S.) 1954 3 16,100
18 IVAN (NW FL/AL.)2004 3 15,500
19 HUGO (SC) 1989 4 15,300
20 SE FL 1949 3 14,700
21 CARLA 1961 4 14,200
(N & Central TX)
22 SE FL/LA/AL 1947 4 13,700
23 NE U.S. 1944 3 13,200
24 FL Keys/S TX 1919 4 13,200
25 SE FL 1945 3 12,300
26 FREDERIC (AL/MS)1979 3 10,300
27 RITA (TX/LA) 2005 3 10,000
28 FRANCES (SE FL) 2004 2 9,700
29 VA 1933 2 8,200
30 DORA (NE FL) 1964 2 7,700
* Damage estimate in 1915 reference is considered too high
Reference
Pielke, Jr., R.A., J.Gratz, C.W.Landsea, D.Collins, M.A.Saunders, R.Musulin;
2006: "Normalized Hurricane Damages in the United States: 1900-2005"
Natural Hazards Review, v.9 n.1, pp.29-42
Last updated : May 22, 2013
Subject: E14)What have been the most intense hurricanes to strike the
United States?
Contributed by Chris Landsea (NHC)
The most intense mainland United States hurricanes by central pressure
1851-2015
RANK HURRICANE YEAR CATEGORY MINIMUM PRESSURE
(at landfall) Millibars Inches
1 FL (Keys) 1935 5 892 26.35
2 CAMILLE (MS/SE LA/VA) 1969 5 900 26.58
3 KATRINA (LA) 2005 3 920 27.17
4 ANDREW (SE FL/SE LA) 1992 5 922 27.23
5 TX (Indianola) 1886 4 925 27.31
6 FL (Keys)/S TX 1919 4 927 27.37
7 FL (Lake Okeechobee) 1928 4 929 27.43
8 DONNA (FL/Eastern U.S.) 1960 4 930 27.46
9 LA (New Orleans) 1915 4 931 27.49
9 CARLA (N & Central TX) 1961 4 931 27.49
11 LA (Last Island) 1856 4 934 27.58
12 HUGO (SC) 1989 4 934 27.58
13 FL (Miami)/MS/AL/Penscl 1926 4 935 27.61
14 TX (Galveston) 1900 4 936 27.64
15 RITA (NE TX,W LA) 2005 3 937 27.67
16 GA/FL (Brunswick) 1898 4 938 27.70
17 HAZEL (SC/NC) 1954 4 938 27.70
18 SE FL/SE LA/MS 1947 4 940 27.76
19 N TX 1932 4 941 27.79
19 CHARLEY (SW FL) 2004 4 941 27.79
21 GLORIA (Eastern U.S.) 1985 3 & 942 27.82
21 OPAL (NW FL/AL) 1995 3 & 942 27.82
-- SANDY (NJ/NY/CN) 2012 1 % 942 27.82
23 FL (Central) 1888 3 945 27.91
23 E NC 1899 3 945 27.91
23 AUDREY (SW LA/N TX) 1957 4 # 945 27.91
23 TX (Galveston) 1915 4 # 945 27.91
23 CELIA (S TX) 1970 3 945 27.91
23 ALLEN (S TX) 1980 3 945 27.91
29 New England 1938 3 946 27.94
29 FREDERIC (AL/MS) 1979 3 946 27.94
29 IVAN (AL, NW FL) 2004 3 946 27.94
29 DENNIS (NW FL) 2005 3 946 27.94
33 NE U.S. 1944 3 947 27.97
33 SC/NC 1906 3 947 27.97
35 LA (Chenier Caminanda) 1893 3 948 27.99
35 BETSY (SE FL/SE LA) 1965 3 948 27.99
35 SE FL/NW FL 1929 3 948 27.99
35 SE FL 1933 3 948 27.99
35 S TX 1916 3 948 27.99
35 MS/AL 1916 3 948 27.99
41 NW FL 1882 3 949 28.02
41 DIANA (NC) 1984 3 + 949 28.02
41 S TX 1933 3 949 28.02
44 WILMA (SW FL) 2005 3 950 28.05
44 GA/SC 1854 3 950 28.05
44 LA/MS 1855 3 950 28.05
44 LA/MS/AL 1860 3 950 28.05
44 LA 1879 3 950 28.05
44 BEULAH (S TX) 1967 3 950 28.05
44 HILDA (Central LA) 1964 3 950 28.05
44 GRACIE (SC) 1959 3 950 28.05
44 TX (Central) 1942 3 950 28.05
44 JEANNE (FL) 2004 3 950 28.05
44 IKE (TX/LA) 2008 2 950 28.05
54 SE FL 1945 3 951 28.08
54 BRET (S TX) 1999 3 951 28.08
56 LA (Grand Isle) 1909 3 952 28.11
56 FL (Tampa Bay) 1921 3 952 28.11
56 CARMEN (Central LA) 1974 3 952 28.11
56 IRENE (NC) 2011 1 952 28.11
56 SC/NC 1885 3 953 28.14
56 S FL 1906 3 953 28.14
61 GA/SC 1893 3 954 28.17
61 EDNA (New England) 1954 3 954 28.17
61 SE FL 1949 3 954 28.17
61 FRAN (NC) 1996 3 954 28.17
61 GUSTAV (LA) 2008 2 954 28.17
65 SE FL 1871 3 955 28.20
65 LA/TX 1886 3 955 28.20
65 SC/NC 1893 3 955 28.20
65 NW FL 1894 3 955 28.20
65 ELOISE (NW FL) 1975 3 955 28.20
65 KING (SE FL) 1950 3 955 28.20
65 Central LA 1926 3 955 28.20
65 SW LA 1918 3 955 28.20
Notes :
Includes only major hurricanes at their most intense landfall.
& Highest category justified by winds.
# Classified 4 because of estimated winds.
+ Cape Fear, NC area only; was a category 2 at final landfall.
% Storm post-tropical at landfall
ADDENDUM
non-CONUS storms
RANK HURRICANE YEAR CATEGORY MINIMUM PRESSURE
(at landfall) Millibars Inches
4 DAVID (S of PR) 1979 4 924 27.29
9 San Felipe (PR) 1928 5 931 27.49
18 HUGO (USVI& PR) 1989 4 940 27.76
44 INIKI(KAUAI,HI) 1992 UNK 950 27.91
65 DOT (KAUAI,HI) 1959 UNK 955 28.11
Last updated: May 15, 2014
Subject: E15) What tropical storms and hurricanes have moved
from the Atlantic to the Northeast Pacific or vice versa?
Contributed by Stephen Caparotta, D. Walston, Steven Young, Gary Padgett and
Sandy Delgado
Here is a list of tropical cyclones that have crossed from
the Atlantic basin to the Northeast Pacific and vice versa. To
be considered the same tropical cyclone an identifiable center of
circulation must be tracked continuously and the cyclone must
have been of at least tropical storm strength in both basins
(i.e. sustained winds of at least 34 kt, or 18 m/s). This record
only goes back to 1923. Before the advent of geostationary satellite
pictures in the mid-1960s, the number of Northeast Pacific tropical
cyclones was undercounted by a factor of 2 or 3. Thus the lack of
many of these events during the 1960s and earlier is mainly due to
simply missing the Northeast Pacific TCs.
There has not been a recorded case where the same tropical cyclone
crossed from the Atlantic into the Northeast Pacific then crossed back
into the Atlantic, but Hattie/Simone/Inga in 1961 came close. There
is no evidence that a single center of circulation persisted through
several crossings of land, but the envelope of moisture and instability
from one system helped spawn the next.
* Atlantic Hurricane Otto (November 2016) made landfall in
southern Nicaragua and emerged into the Northeast Pacific as a tropical
storm, dissipating a few days later.
* Atlantic Hurricane Earl (August 2016) made landfall in the
Yucatan Peninsula and dissipated a few days later over central Mexico. The
remnants continued into the Northeast Pacific developing into Tropical Storm Javier,
which made landfall in Baja California.
* Northeast Pacific Tropical Storm Trudy (October 2014) made
landfall on southern Mexico on October 18th and the circulation dissipated over
the rugged terrain of Mexico. The moisture associated with the remnants moved
into the southern Gulf of Mexico where a new circulation developed and intensified
into a tropical depression on the 22nd. The depression weakened into a low pressure
and crossed the Yucatan peninsula reaching the Caribbean Sea where it intensified
into Tropical Storm Hanna on the 27th before making landfall near the
Nicaraguan/Honduran border.
* Northeast Pacific Hurricane Barbara (May 2013) made
landfall on the Tehuantepec peninsula on May 29th and its center of
circulation dissipated before it reached the Gulf of Mexico. However,
its envelope of moisture continued northward and from this Atlantic Tropical
Storm Andrea formed on June 5th in the northeast Gulf.
* Atlantic Hurricane Ernesto (August 2012) made landfall in the
Yucatan Peninsula and dissipated a few days later over central Mexico. The
remnants continued into the Northeast Pacific developing into Tropical Storm Hector.
* Northeast Pacific Tropical Storm Alma (May 2008) became
a remnant low in the Atlantic where it merged with another tropical wave
which generated Atlantic Tropical Storm Arthur.
* Atlantic Tropical Storm Earl (August 2004) dissipated over the eastern Caribbean Sea. Its remnants continued westward and in the Northeast Pacific became Hurricane Frank.
* Atlantic Hurricane Iris (October 2001) become a remnant low
over Central America and regenerated in the Northeast Pacific as Tropical
Storm Manuel.
* Atlantic Tropical Depression Nine (September 2001) made landfall
in Central America and promptly dissipated. Its remnants continued into the Northeast Pacific becoming Hurricane Juliette.
* Atlantic Hurricane Cesar (July 1996) became Northeast Pacific
Hurricane Douglas.
* Atlantic Tropical Storm Bret (August 1993) became Hurricane
Greg in the Northeast Pacific.
* Northeast Pacific Hurricane Cosme (June 1989) became Atlantic Tropical
Storm Allison .
* Atlantic Hurricane Joan (October 1988) became Northeast Pacific
Hurricane Miriam.
* Atlantic Hurricane Greta (September 1978) became Northeast
Pacific Hurricane Olivia.
* Atlantic Hurricane Fifi (September 1974) became Northeast
Pacific Hurricane Orlene.
* Atlantic Tropical Storm Chloe (August 1971) became Northeast
Pacific Hurricane Lily, which made landfall in southwest Mexico.
* Atlantic Hurricane Irene (September 1971) became Northeast
Pacific Hurricane Olivia.
* Atlantic Tropical Storm Laura (November 1971) became Northeast
Pacific Tropical Storm Sharon.
* Atlantic Hurricane Francelia (September 1969) made landfall in
Belize, dissipating over Guatemala and eastern Mexico. The remnants
redeveloped into Tropical Storm Glenda over the Northest Pacific on
September 8th, moving parallel to the Mexican coast until dissipating on the
12th.
* Atlantic Hurricane Hattie (October-November 1961) after
dissipating over Guatemala contributed to the formation of Northeast Pacific
Tropical Storm Simone which crossed the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and merged with
other disturbed weather which later formed Atlantic Tropical Storm Inga.
* Atlantic Hurricane Janet (September 1955) made landfall in Mexico between Vera Cruz and Tampico, dissipating soon after. The remnants continued into the Northeast Pacific developing into an unnamed tropical storm.
* A Northeast Pacific Tropical Storm (September-October 1949)
became an Atlantic Hurricane (Storm #10) and made landfall in TX.
* A Northeast Pacific Tropical Storm (October 1923)
became an Atlantic Hurricane (Storm #6) and made landfall in LA.
Last Revised February 10, 2017
Subject: E16) When did the earliest and latest hurricanes occur?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
The hurricane season is defined as June 1 through November 30. An early
hurricane can be defined as occurring in the three months prior to the
start of the season, and a late hurricane can be defined as occurring in
the three months after the season. With these criteria the earliest
observed hurricane in the Atlantic was on March 7, 1908, while the latest
observed hurricane was on December 31, 1954, the second 'Alice' of that
year which persisted as a hurricane until January 5, 1955. The earliest
hurricane to strike the United States was Alma which struck northwest
Florida on June 9, 1966. The latest hurricane to strike the U. S. was
late on November 30, 1925 near Tampa, Florida. (Contribution from Blake
et al. 2005.)
Subject: E17) How many hurricanes have there been in each month?
Contributed by Chris Landsea (NHC)
This table shows the total and average number of tropical storms, and those
which became hurricanes, by month, for the period 1851-2013. It also shows
the monthly total and average number of hurricanes to strike the U. S. since
1851.
Total and Average Number of Tropical Cylones by Month
(1851-2014)
Month Tropical Storms Hurricanes U.S. Landfalling
Hurricanes
Total Average Total Average Total Average
JANUARY 2 * 1 * 0 *
FEBRUARY 1 * 0 * 0 *
MARCH 1 * 1 * 0 *
APRIL 1 * 0 * 0 *
MAY 21 0.1 4 * 0 *
JUNE 87 0.5 33 0.2 19 0.12
JULY 118 0.7 55 0.3 25 0.15
AUGUST 378 2.3 238 1.4 77 0.48
SEPTEMBER 571 3.5 395 2.4 107 0.67
OCTOBER 336 2.0 201 1.2 53 0.33
NOVEMBER 89 0.5 58 0.3 5 0.03
DECEMBER 17 0.1 6 * 0 *
---------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR 1619 9.9 991 6.0 284 1.73
* Less than 0.05.
Excludes subtropical storms
Last Revised: June 1, 2016
Subject: E18) What was the largest number of hurricanes in the Atlantic
Ocean at the same time?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
Four hurricanes occurred simultaneously on two occasions. The first
occasion was August 22, 1893, and one of these eventually killed 1,000-
2,000 people in Georgia South Carolina. The second occurrence was
September 25, 1998, when Georges, Ivan, Jeanne and Karl persisted into
September 27, 1998 as hurricanes. Georges ended up taking the lives of
thousands in Haiti. In 1971 from September 10 to 12, there were five
tropical cyclones at the same time; however, while most of these
ultimately achieved hurricane intensity, there were never more than two
hurricanes at any one time (from Blake et al. 2005.)
Subject: E19) How many direct hits by hurricanes of various categories
have affected each state?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
This table, updated from Jarrell et al. (2001), shows the number
of hurricanes affecting the United States and individual states,
i.e., direct hits. The table shows that, on the average, close to
seven hurricanes every four years (~1.75 per year) strike the United
States, while about three major hurricanes cross the U.S. coast every
five years (0.60 per year). Other noteworthy facts, updated from Jarrell
et al. (2001), are:
* Forty percent of all U.S. hurricanes hit Florida
* Eighty-eight percent of Major hurricanes strikes
have hit either Florida or Texas
* Pennsylvania's only hurricane strike between
1851-2015 was in 1898 (from Blake et al. 2005).
Hurricane direct hits on the mainland U.S. coastline and for
individual states by Saffir/Simpson category
1851-2015
AREA CATEGORY Major Hurricanes
1 2 3 4 5 ALL
U.S. Coastline 117 76 76 18 3 290 97
(Texas to Maine)
Texas 25 19 12 7 0 63 19
North 13 8 3 4 0 28 7
Central 7 5 2 2 0 16 4
South 10 5 7 1 0 23 8
Louisiana 19 15 15 4 1 54 20
Mississippi 2 5 8 0 1 16 9
Alabama 12 5 6 0 0 23 6
Florida 44 33 29 6 2 114 37
Northwest 27 16 12 0 0 55 12
Northeast 13 8 1 0 0 22 1
Southwest 16 8 7 4 1 36 12
Southeast 13 13 11 3 1 41 15
Georgia 12 5 2 1 0 20 3
South Carolina 19 6 4 2 0 31 6
North Carolina 24 14 11 1 0 50 13
Virginia 9 2 1 0 0 12 1
Maryland 1 1 0 0 0 2 0
Delaware 2 0 0 0 0 2 0
New Jersey 2 0 0 0 0 2 0
Pennsylvania 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
New York 6 1 5 0 0 12 5
Connecticut 4 3 3 0 0 10 3
Rhode Island 3 2 4 0 0 9 4
Massachusetts 5 2 3 0 0 10 3
New Hampshire 1 1 0 0 0 2 0
Maine 5 1 0 0 0 6 0
Notes:
State totals will not equal U.S. totals and Texas and Florida totals
will not necessarily equal sum of sectional totals since storms may
be counted for more than one state or region.
Regional definitions are found in Appenix A of Jarrell et al. (2001).
Reference
Blake, E.S., E.N. Rappaport, J.D. Jarell, and C.W. Landsea, 2005:
"The Deadliest, Costliest, and Most Intense United States Hurricanes from
1851 to 2004 (and Other Frequently Requested Hurricane Facts.) NOAA
Technical Memorandum NWS-TPC-4, 48 pp.
Jarell, J.D., B.M. Mayfield, E.N. Rappaport, and C.W. Landsea, 2001:
"The Deadliest, Costliest, and Most Intense United States Hurricanes from
1900 to 2000 (and Other Frequently Requested Hurricane Facts.) NOAA
Technical Memorandum NWS-TPC-3, 30 pp.
Last Revised : June 1, 2016
Subject: E20) When are the major hurricanes likely to strike different states?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
This table shows the incidence of major hurricanes by months for the U.S.
mainland and individual states. September has as many major hurricane
landfalls as October and August combined. Texas and Louisiana are the
prime targets for pre-August major hurricanes. The threat of major
hurricanes increases from west to east during August with major
hurricanes favoring the U.S. East Coast by late September. Most major
October hurricanes occur in southern Florida (from Blake et al. 2005).
Major hurricane direct hits on the U.S. mainland and individual states
1851-2006
AREA JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. ALL
U.S. Coastline
(Texas to Maine)2 4 26 43 17 92
Texas 1 1 10 7 0 19
(North) 1 1 3 2 0 7
(Central) 0 2 2 0 0 4
(South) 0 5 3 0 0 8
Louisiana 2 0 7 8 3 20
Mississippi 0 1 4 4 0 9
Alabama 0 1 1 4 0 6
Florida 0 2 6 19 10 37
(Northwest) 0 2 1 7 3 13
(Northeast) 0 0 0 1 0 1
(Southwest) 0 0 2 5 6 13
(Southeast) 0 0 4 8 3 15
Georgia 0 0 1 1 1 3
South Carolina 0 0 2 2 2 6
North Carolina 0 0 4 7 1 12
Virginia 0 0 0 1 0 1
Maryland 0 0 0 0 0 0
Delaware 0 0 0 0 0 0
New Jersey 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pennsylvania 0 0 0 0 0 0
New York 0 0 1 4 0 5
Connecticut 0 0 1 2 0 3
Rhode Island 0 0 1 3 0 4
Massachusetts 0 0 0 3 0 3
New Hampshire 0 0 0 0 0 0
Maine 0 0 0 0 0 0
Note: State totals do not equal U.S. totals.
Texas and Florida totals do not necessarily equal the sum of sectional entries.
Florida and Texas regional definitions are found in Appendix A.
Subject: E21) What is the total United States damage (before and after
adjustment for inflation) and death toll for each year since 1900?
Contributed by Chris Landsea (NHC)
Estimated annual deaths and damages
Year Deaths Damage ($ Millions)
Unadjusted Adjusted Normalized
1900 8,000 $30+ $1,271* $37,541
1901 10 1 42* 904
1902 0 Minor Minor 0
1903 15 1 42* 9,730
1904 5 2 84* 1,177
1905 0 Minor Minor 0
1906 298 3 + 127* 5,739
1907 0 Minor Minor 0
1908 0 Minor Minor 0
1909 406 8 339* 4,121
1910 30 1 42* 1,591
1911 17 1 + 42* 304
1912 1 Minor Minor 0
1913 5 3 127* 920
1914 0 Minor Minor 0
1915 550 63 2,669 @ 33,344
1916 107 33 1,148 5,077
1917 5 Minor Minor 0
1918 34 5 113 516
1919 287 22 447 7,543
1920 2 3 48 514
1921 6 3 61 4,584
1922 0 Minor Minor 0
1923 0 Minor Minor 0
1924 2 Minor Minor 0
1925 6 Minor Minor 0
1926 408 112 2,250 104,908
1927 0 Minor Minor 0
1928 2,500 25 502 19,457
1929 3 1 18 190
1930 0 Minor Minor 0
1931 0 Minor Minor 0
1932 40 8 171 2,558
1933 63 47 1,117 4,892
1934 17 5 108 517
1935 414 12 259 4,469
1936 9 2 45 146
1937 0 Minor Minor 0
1938 600 306 6,148 23,464
1939 3 Minor Minor 0
1940 51 5 105 722
1941 10 8 155 1,410
1942 8 27 457 1,647
1943 16 17 270 2,131
1944 64 165 2,614 33,133
1945 7 80 1,237 9,958
1946 0 5 66 3,162
1947 53 136 1,497 15,196
1948 3 18 180 2,383
1949 4 59 590 8,707
1950 19 36 354 3,958
1951 0 2 17 256
1952 3 3 21 82
1953 2 6 42 37
1954 193 756 5,293 22,844
1955 218 985 6,757 17,204
1956 19 27 175 456
1957 400 152 960 3,186
1958 2 11 69 290
1959 24 23 147 582
1960 65 396 2,537 15,918
1961 46 414 2,664 9,340
1962 3 2 12 55
1963 10 12 75 194
1964 49 515 3,268 9,193
1965 75 1,445 8,921 16,557
1966 54 15 88 215
1967 18 200 1,146 2,673
1968 9 10 54 417
1969 256 1,421 7,201 14,298
1970 11 454 2,171 4,352
1971 8 213 954 1,580
1972 122 2,100 8,858 13,978
1973 5 18 70 123
1974 1 150 512 933
1975 21 490 1,533 2,290
1976 9 100 299 400
1977 0 10 28 42
1978 36 20 49 100
1979 22 3,045 6,769 11,264
1980 2 300 599 1,128
1981 0 25 46 102
1982 0 Minor Minor 36
1983 22 2,000 3,523 5,289
1984 4 66 112 170
1985 30 4,000 6,641 8,567
1986 9 17 27 38
1987 0 8 12 17
1988 6 59 88 115
1989 56 7,670 10,989 13,436
1990 13 57 79 96
1991 16 1,500 2,064 2,234
1992 24 26,500 35,993 43,152
1993 4 57 74 83
1994 38 973 1,222 1,339
1995 29 3,723 4,498 4,860
1996 36 3,600 4,251 4,544
1997 4 100 114 121
1998 23 4,344 5,990 5,484
1999 62 5,532 5,907 6,222
2000 6 27 28 32
2001 45 5,260 6,314 6,254
2002 9 1,220 1,424 1,411
2003 24 3,600 4,007 3,970
2004 60 45,000 46,337 45,000
2005 2,067 120,000 120,000 120,000
2006 0 500 484 ---
2007 10 50 48 ---
2008 41 25,370 23,013 ---
2009 6 0 0 0
2010 11 258 231 ---
2011 52 15,800 13,720 ---
2012 86 73,550 62,564 ---
2013 1 Minor Minor ---
2014 0 2 1.6 ---
Adjusted - Adjusted to 2005 dollars based on U.S. Department of Commerce
Implicit Price Deflator for Construction.
Normalized - Normalization reflects inflation changes in personal wealth and
coastal county population to 2004. (Pielke and Landsea 1998)
+ 1900 could have been as high as 12,000.
* Considered too high in 1915 reference.
@ Using 1915 cost adjustment - none available prior to 1915.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This table ranks the top 30 years by deaths, by unadjusted damage and
by adjusted damage. In most years the death and damage totals are the result
of a single, major hurricane.
The Thirty Deadliest and Costliest Years
Ranked By
Deaths Unadjusted Damage Adjusted Damage Normalized Damage
(1851-2013) (1900-2013) (1900-2013) (1900-2004)
Rank Year Deaths Rank Year $Millions Rank Year $Millions Rank Year $Millions
1 1900 8,000+ 1 2005 120,000 1 2005 120,000 1 1926 104,908
2 1893 ~3,000* 2 2012 73,550 2 2012 62,564 2 2004 45,000
3 1928 2,500 3 2004 45,000 3 2004 46,337 3 1992 43,152
4 2005 2,067 4 1992 26,500 4 1992 35,993 4 1900 37,541
5 1881 700 5 2008 23,370 5 2008 21,198 5 1915 33,344
6 1915 550 6 2011 15,800 6 2011 13,720 6 1944 33,133#
7 1935 414 7 1989 7,670 7 1989 10,991 7 1938 23,464
8 1926 408 8 1999 5,532 8 1965 8,921 8 1954 22,844
9 1909 406 9 2001 5,260 9 1972 8,858 9 1928 19,457
10 1957 400 10 1998 4,344 10 1969 7,202 10 1955 17,204
11 1906 298 11 1985 4,000 11 1979 6,769 11 1965 16,557
12 1919 287 12 1995 3,723 12 1955 6,757 12 1960 15,918
12 1969 256 13 1996 3,600 13 1985 6,642 13 1947 15,196
14 1938 256 14 2003 3,600 14 2001 6,314 14 1969 14,298
15 1955 218 15 1979 3,045 15 1938 6,148 15 1972 13,978
16 1954 193 16 1972 2,100 16 1998 5,990 16 1989 13,436
17 1972 122 17 1983 2,000 17 1999 5,907 17 1979 11,264
18 1916 107 18 1991 1,500 18 1954 5,293 18 1945 9,958
19 2012 86 19 1965 1,445 19 1995 4,499 19 1903 9,730
20 1965 75 20 1969 1,421 20 1996 4,252 20 1961 9,340
21 1960 65 21 2002 1,220 21 2003 4,008 21 1964 9,193
22 1944 64 22 1955 985 22 1983 3,523 22 1949 8,707
23 1933 63 23 1994 973 23 1964 3,268 23 1985 8,567
24 1999 62 24 1954 756 24 1915 2,669@ 24 1919 7,543
25 2004 60 25 1964 515 25 1961 2,665 25 2001 6,254
26 1989 56 26 1975 490 26 1944 2,614# 26 1999 6,222
27 1966 54 27 1970 454 27 1960 2,537 27 1906 5,739
28 1947 53 28 1961 414 28 1926 2,250 28 1998 5,484
29 2011 52 29 1960 396 29 1970 2,171 29 1983 5,289
30 1940 51 30 1938 306 30 1991 2,064 30 1916 5,077
Notes:
Adjusted -
Adjusted to 2005 dollars based on U.S. Department of Commerce Implicit Price Deflator for Construction.
Normalized -
Landsea normalization reflects inflation, changes in personal wealth and
coastal county population to 2004 (Pielke and Landsea 1998.)
+ Could have been as high as 12,000.
* Considered too high in 1915 reference.
@ Using 1915 cost adjustment - none available prior to 1915.
# Could include offshore losses.
Last Revised June 1, 2015
Subject: E22) What tracks did the continental U.S. major hurricanes take
by decade?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
NOTE : Figures not available in text version
The figures from Blake et al. (2005) show the decade by decade tracks of
hurricanes that made landfall on the continental U.S. as major hurricanes
(Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale). Note that before 1900
portions of the Gulf coast from Texas to Florida were relatively
uninhabited and that small but intense hurricanes (like Andrew in 1992 or
Charley in 2004) may not have been correctly identified as being major
hurricanes. Thus the counts of U.S. major hurricanes is likely incomplete
(low) for the period of 1851 to 1900.
Subject: E23) What is the complete list of continental U.S. landfalling
hurricanes?
Contributed by Chris Landsea (NHC)
Chronological List of All Hurricanes which Affected the Continental
United States
1851-2015
Year Month States Affected HiCat CenPrs MaxWnd Name
Cat by States (U.S.) mb kt
1851 Jun TX, C1 1 977 80 -----
1851 Aug FL, NW3/GA,1 3 960 100 "Great Middle Florida"
1852 Aug FL,SW1 1 977 80 -----
1852 Aug AL,3/MS,3/ 3 961 100 "Great Mobile"
LA,2/FL,NW1
1852 Sep FL,SW1 1 985 70 -----
1852 Oct FL,NW2/GA,1 2 969 90 "Middle Florida"
1853 Oct * GA,1 1 965 70 -----
1854 Jun TX,S1 1 985 70 -----
1854 Sep GA,3/SC,2/ 3 950 100 "Great Carolina"
FL,NE1
1854 Sep TX,C2 2 969 90 "Matagorda"
1855 Sep LA,3/MS,3 3 950 110 "Middle Gulf Shore"
1856 Aug LA,4 4 934 130 "Last Island"
1856 Aug FL,NW2/AL,1/ 2 969 90 "Southeastern States"
GA,1
1857 Sep & NC,1 1 961 80 -----
1858 Sep NY,1/CT,1/ 1 976 80 "New England"
RI,1/MA,1
1859 Sep AL,1/FL,NW1 1 985 70 -----
------------------------------------------------------------------
1860 Aug LA,3/MS,3/AL,2 3 950 110 -----
1860 Sep LA,2/MS,2/AL,1 2 969 90 -----
1860 Oct LA,2 2 969 90 -----
1861 Aug * FL,SW1 1 970 70 "Key West"
1861 Sep NC,1 1 985 70 "Equinoctial"
1861 Nov NC,1 1 985 70 "Expedition"
1865 Sep LA,2/TX,N1 2 969 90 "Sabine River-Lake Calcasieu"
1865 Oct FL,SW2/FL,SE1 2 969 90 -----
1866 Jul TX,C2 2 969 90 -----
1867 Jun SC,1 1 985 70 -----
1867 Oct LA,2/TX,S1,N1/ 2 969 90 "Galveston"
FL,NW1
1869 Aug TX,C2 2 969 90 "Lower Texas Coast"
1869 Sep LA,1 1 985 70 -----
1869 Sep RI,3/MA,3/ 3 963 100 "Eastern New England"
NY,1/CT,1
1869 Oct & ME,2/MA,1 2 965 90 "Saxby's Gale"
------------------------------------------------------------------
1870 Jul AL,1 1 985 70 "Mobile"
1870 Oct * FL,SW1,SE1 1 970 70 "Twin Key West (I)"
1870 Oct FL,SW1 1 977 80 "Twin Key West (II)"
1871 Aug FL,SE3,NE1,NW1 3 955 100 -----
1871 Aug FL,SE2,NE1 2 965 90 -----
1871 Sep FL,NW1 1 985 70 -----
1873 Sep FL,NW1 1 985 70 -----
1873 Oct FL,SW3,SE2,NE1 3 959 100 -----
1874 Sep FL,NW1/SC,1/ 1 985 70 -----
NC,1
1875 Sep TX,C3,S2 3 960 100 -----
1876 Sep NC,1/VA,1 1 980 80 -----
1876 Oct FL,SW2,SE1 2 973 90 -----
1877 Sep LA,1/FL,NW1 1 985 70 -----
1877 Oct FL,NW3/GA,1 3 960 100 -----
1878 Sep FL,SW2,NE1/ 2 970 90 -----
SC,1/GA,1
1878 Oct NC,2/VA,1/ 2 963 90 -----
MD,1/DE,1;NJ,1/PA,1
1879 Aug NC,3/VA,2 3 971 100 -----
1879 Aug TX,N2/LA,2 2 964 90 -----
1879 Sep LA,3 3 950 110 -----
------------------------------------------------------------------
1880 Aug # TX,S3 3 931 110 -----
1880 Aug FL,SE2,NE1,NW1 2 972 90 -----
1880 Sep NC,1 1 987 70 -----
1880 Oct FL,NW1 1 985 70 -----
1881 Aug GA,2/SC,1 2 970 90 -----
1881 Sep NC,2 2 975 90 -----
1882 Sep FL,NW3/AL,1 3 949 100 -----
1882 Sep LA,2/TX,N1 2 969 90 -----
1882 Oct FL,NW1 1 985 70 -----
1883 Sep NC,2/SC,1 2 965 90 -----
1885 Aug SC,3/NC,2/ 3 953 100 -----
GA,1/FL,NE1
1886 Jun TX,N2/LA,2 2 973 85 -----
1886 Jun FL,NW2/GA,1 2 973 85 -----
1886 Jun FL,NW2 2 973 85 -----
1886 Jul FL,NW1 1 985 70 -----
1886 Aug TX,C4 4 925 135 "Indianola"
1886 Sep # TX,S1,C1 1 973 80 -----
1886 Oct LA,3/TX,N2 3 955 105 -----
1887 Jul FL,NW1 1 981 75 -----
1887 Aug * NC,1 1 946 65 -----
1887 Sep TX,S2 2 973 85 -----
1887 Oct LA,1 1 981 75 -----
1888 Jun TX,C1 1 985 70 -----
1888 Aug FL,SE3,SW1/LA2 3 945 110 -----
1888 Sep & MA,TS TS 985 55 -----
1888 Oct FL,NW2,NE1 2 970 95 -----
1889 Sep LA,1 1 985 70 -----
------------------------------------------------------------------
1891 Jul TX,C1,N1 1 977 80 -----
1891 Aug FL,SE1 1 985 70 -----
1893 Aug NY,1/VA,1 1 986 75 "Midnight Storm"
1893 Aug GA,3/SC,3/ 3 954 100 "Sea Islands"
NC,1/FL,NE1
1893 Sep LA,2 2 973 85 -----
1893 Oct LA,4/MS,2/AL,2 4 948 115 "Chenier Caminanda"
1893 Oct SC,3/NC,2/VA,1 3 955 105 -----
1894 Sep FL,SW2,NE1/ 2 975 90 -----
SC,1/VA,1
1894 Oct FL,NW3/GA,1/ 3 955 105 -----
NY,1/RI,1
1895 Aug # TX,S1 1 973 65 -----
1896 Jul FL,NW2 2 973 85 -----
1896 Sep RI,1/MA,1 1 985 70 -----
1896 Sep FL,NW3,NE3/ 3 960 110 -----
GA,2/SC,1/NC,1/VA,1
1897 Sep LA,1/TX,N1 1 981 75 -----
1898 Aug FL,NW1 1 985 70 -----
1898 Aug GA,1/SC,1 1 980 75 -----
1898 Oct GA,4/FL,NE2 4 938 115 -----
1899 Aug FL,NW2 2 979 85 -----
1899 Aug NC,3 3 945 105 -----
1899 Oct NC,2/SC,2 2 955 95 -----
------------------------------------------------------------------
1900 Sep TX,N4 4 936 125 "Galveston"
1901 Jul NC,1 1 983 70 -----
1901 Aug LA,1/MS,1/AL,1 1 973 80 -----
1903 Sep FL,SE1,NW1 1 976 80 -----
1903 Sep NJ,1/DE,1 1 990 70 -----
1904 Sep SC,1 1 985 70 -----
1904 Oct FL,SE1 1 985 70 -----
1906 Jun FL,SW1,SE1 1 979 75 -----
1906 Sep SC,1/NC,1 1 977 80 -----
1906 Sep MS,2/AL,2/ 2 958 95 -----
FL,NW2/LA,1
1906 Oct FL,SW3,SE3 3 953 105 -----
1908 May & NC,TS TS 989 55 -----
1908 Jul NC,1 1 985 70 -----
1909 Jun TX,S2 2 972 85 -----
1909 Jul TX,N3 3 959 100 "Velasco"
1909 Aug # TX,S1 1 955 65 -----
1909 Sep LA,3/MS,2 3 952 105 "Grand Isle"
1909 Oct FL,SW3,SE3 3 957 100 -----
------------------------------------------------------------------
1910 Sep TX,S2 2 965 95 -----
1910 Oct FL,SW2 2 955 95 -----
1911 Aug FL,NW1/AL,1 1 985 70 -----
1911 Aug SC,2/GA,1 2 972 85 -----
1912 Sep AL,1/FL,NW1 1 988 65 -----
1912 Oct TX,S2 2 973 85 -----
1913 Jun TX,S1 1 988 65 -----
1913 Sep NC,1 1 976 75 -----
1913 Oct SC,1 1 989 65 -----
1915 Aug TX,N4 4 945 ----- "Galveston"
1915 Sep FL,NW1 1 988 ----- -----
1915 Sep LA,4 4 931 ----- "New Orleans"
1916 Jul MS,3/AL,3 3 948 ----- -----
1916 Jul MA,1 1 ----- ----- -----
1916 Jul SC,1 1 980 ----- -----
1916 Aug TX,S3 3 948 ----- -----
1916 Oct AL,2/FL,NW2 2 972 ----- -----
1916 Nov FL,SW1 1 ----- ----- -----
1917 Sep FL,NW3 3 958 ----- -----
1918 Aug LA,3 3 955 ----- -----
1919 Sep FL,SW4/TX,S4 4 927 ----- -----
------------------------------------------------------------------
1920 Sep LA,2 2 975 ----- -----
1920 Sep NC,1 1 ----- ----- -----
1921 Jun TX,C2 2 979 ----- -----
1921 Oct FL,SW3,NE2 3 952 ----- "Tampa Bay"
1923 Oct LA,1 1 985 ----- -----
1924 Sep FL,NW1 1 985 ----- -----
1924 Oct FL,SW1 1 980 ----- -----
1925 No-De FL,SW1 1 ----- ----- -----
1926 Jul FL,NE2 2 967 ----- -----
1926 Aug LA,3 3 955 ----- -----
1926 Sep FL,SE4,SW3, 4 935 ----- "Great Miami"
NW3/AL,3
1928 Aug FL,SE2 2 ----- ----- -----
1928 Sep FL,SE4,NE2/ 4 929 ----- "Lake Okeechobee"
GA,1/SC,1
1929 Jun TX,C1 1 982 ----- -----
1929 Sep FL,SE3,NW2 3 948 ----- -----
------------------------------------------------------------------
1932 Aug TX,N4 4 941 ----- "Freeport"
1932 Sep AL,1 1 979 ----- -----
1933 JulAug TX,S2/FL,SE1 2 975 ----- -----
1933 Aug NC,2/VA,2 2 971 ----- -----
1933 Sep TX,S3 3 949 ----- -----
1933 Sep FL,SE3 3 948 ----- -----
1933 Sep NC,3 3 957 ----- -----
1934 Jun LA,3 3 962 ----- -----
1934 Jul TX,S2 2 975 ----- -----
1935 Sep FL,SW5,NW2 5 892 ----- "Labor Day"
1935 Nov FL,SE2 2 973 ----- -----
1936 Jun TX,S1 1 987 ----- -----
1936 Jul FL,NW3 3 964 ----- -----
1936 Sep NC,2 2 ----- ----- -----
1938 Aug LA,1 1 985 ----- -----
1938 Sep NY,3/CT,3/ 3 946 ----- "New England"
RI,3/MA,3
1939 Aug FL,SE1,NW1 1 985 ----- -----
------------------------------------------------------------------
1940 Aug TX,N2/LA,2 2 972 ----- -----
1940 Aug GA,2/SC,2 2 970 ----- -----
1941 Sep TX,N3 3 958 ----- -----
1941 Oct FL,SE2,SW2,NW2 2 975 ----- -----
1942 Aug TX,N1 1 992 ----- -----
1942 Aug TX,C3 3 950 ----- -----
1943 Jul TX,N2 2 969 ----- -----
1944 Aug NC,1 1 990 ----- -----
1944 Sep NC,3/VA,3/ 3 947 ----- -----
NY,3/CT,3/RI,3/MA,2
1944 Oct FL,SW3,NE2 3 962 ----- -----
1945 Jun FL,NW1 1 985 ----- -----
1945 Aug TX,C2 2 967 ----- -----
1945 Sep FL,SE3 3 951 ----- -----
1946 Oct FL,SW1 1 980 ----- -----
1947 Aug TX,N1 1 992 ----- -----
1947 Sep FL,SE4,SW2/ 4 940 ----- -----
MS,3/LA,3
1947 Oct GA,2/SC,2/ 2 974 ----- -----
FL,SE1
1948 Sep LA,1 1 987 ----- -----
1948 Sep FL,SW3,SE2 3 963 ----- -----
1948 Oct FL,SE2 2 975 ----- -----
1949 Aug * NC,1 1 980 ----- -----
1949 Aug FL,SE3 3 954 ----- -----
1949 Oct TX,N2 2 972 ----- -----
------------------------------------------------------------------
1950 Aug AL,1 1 980 ----- Baker
1950 Sep FL,NW3 3 958 ----- Easy
1950 Oct FL,SE3 3 955 ----- King
1952 Aug SC,1 1 985 ----- Able
1953 Aug NC,1 1 987 ----- Barbara
1953 Sep ME,1 1 ----- ----- Carol
1953 Sep FL,NW1 1 985 ----- Florence
1954 Aug NY,3/CT,3/ 3 960 ----- Carol
RI,3/NC,2
1954 Sep MA,3/ME,1 3 954 ----- Edna
1954 Oct SC,4/NC,4/MD,2 4 938 ----- Hazel
1955 Aug NC,3/VA,1 3 962 ----- Connie
1955 Aug NC,1 1 987 ----- Diane
1955 Sep NC,3 3 960 ----- Ione
1956 Sep LA,2/FL,NW1 2 975 ----- Flossy
1957 Jun TX,N4/LA,4 4 945 ----- Audrey
1959 Jul SC,1 1 993 ----- Cindy
1959 Jul TX,N1 1 984 ----- Debra
1959 Sep SC,3 3 950 ----- Gracie
------------------------------------------------------------------
1960 Sep FL,SW4/NC,3/ 4 930 ----- Donna
NY,3/FL,NE2;CT,2/
RI,2/MA,1/NH,1/ME,1
1960 Sep MS,1 1 981 ----- Ethel
1961 Sep TX,C4 4 931 ----- Carla
1963 Sep TX,N1 1 996 ----- Cindy
1964 Aug FL,SE2 2 968 ----- Cleo
1964 Sep FL,NE2 2 966 ----- Dora
1964 Oct LA,3 3 950 ----- Hilda
1964 Oct FL,SW2,SE2 2 974 ----- Isbell
1965 Sep FL,SE3/LA,3 3 948 ----- Betsy
1966 Jun FL,NW2 2 982 ----- Alma
1966 Oct FL,SW1 1 983 ----- Inez
1967 Sep TX,S3 3 950 ----- Beulah
1968 Oct FL,NW2,NE1 2 977 ----- Gladys
1969 Aug LA,5/MS,5 5 900 ----- Camille
1969 Sep ME,1 1 980 ----- Gerda
------------------------------------------------------------------
1970 Aug TX,S3 3 945 ----- Celia
1971 Sep LA,2 2 978 ----- Edith
1971 Sep TX,C1 1 979 ----- Fern
1971 Sep NC,1 1 995 ----- Ginger
1972 Jun FL,NW1/NY,1/ 1 980 ----- Agnes
CT,1
1974 Sep LA,3 3 952 ----- Carmen
1975 Sep FL,NW3 3 955 ----- Eloise
1976 Aug NY,1 1 980 ----- Belle
1977 Sep LA,1 1 995 ----- Babe
1979 Jul LA,1 1 986 ----- Bob
1979 Sep FL,SE2,NE2/ 2 970 ----- David
GA,2/SC,2
1979 Sep AL,3/MS,3 3 946 ----- Frederic
------------------------------------------------------------------
1980 Aug TX,S3 3 945 100 Allen
1983 Aug TX,N3 3 962 100 Alicia
1984 Sep * NC,3 3 949 100 Diana
1985 Jul SC,1 1 1002 65 Bob
1985 Aug LA,1 1 987 80 Danny
1985 Sep AL,3/MS,3/ 3 959 100 Elena
FL,NW3
1985 Sep NC,3/NY,3/ 3 942 90 Gloria
CT,2/NH,2/ME,1
1985 Oct LA,1 1 971 75 Juan
1985 Nov FL,NW2 2 967 85 Kate
1986 Jun TX,N1 1 990 75 Bonnie
1986 Aug NC,1 1 990 65 Charley
1987 Oct FL,SW1 1 993 65 Floyd
1988 Sep LA,1 1 984 70 Florence
1989 Aug TX,N1 1 986 70 Chantal
1989 Sep SC,4 4 934 120 Hugo
1989 Oct TX,N1 1 983 75 Jerry
------------------------------------------------------------------
1991 Aug RI,2/MA,2/ 2 962 90 Bob
NY,2/CT,2
1992 Aug FL,SE5,SW4/LA,3 5 922 145 Andrew
1993 Aug * NC,3 3 960 100 Emily
1995 Aug FL,NW2,SE1 2 973 85 Erin
1995 Oct FL,NW3 3 942 100 Opal
1996 Jul NC,2 2 974 90 Bertha
1996 Sep NC,3 3 954 100 Fran
1997 Jul LA,1/AL,1 1 984 70 Danny
1998 Aug NC,2 2 964 95 Bonnie
1998 Sep FL,NW1 1 987 70 Earl
1998 Sep FL,SW2/MS,2 2 964 90 Georges
1999 Aug TX,S3 3 951 100 Bret
1999 Sep NC,2 2 956 90 Floyd
1999 Oct FL,SW1 1 987 70 Irene
------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 Oct LA,1 1 963 80 Lili
2003 Jul TX,C1 1 979 80 Claudette
2003 Sep NC,2/VA,1 2 957 90 Isabel
2004 Aug * NC,1 1 972 70 Alex
2004 Aug FL,SW4,SE1,NE1/ 4 941 130 Charley
SC,1/NC,1
2004 Aug SC,1 1 985 65 Gaston
2004 Sep FL,SE2,SW1 2 960 90 Frances
2004 Sep AL,3/FL,NW3 3 946 105 Ivan
2004 Sep FL,SE3,SW1,NW1 3 950 105 Jeanne
2005 July LA,1 1 991 75 Cindy
2005 July FL NW3,AL,2 3 946 105 Dennis
2005 Aug FL SE1;LA,3; 3 920 110 Katrina
MS,3;AL,2
2005 Sep TX NE3;LA,2 3 937 100 Rita
2005 Oct FL SW3,SE1 3 950 105 Wilma
2007 Sep CTX1,LA1 1 985 80 Humberto
2008 Julp ATX1 1 967 75 Dolly
2008 Sep LA2 2 954 90 Gustav
2008 Sep CTX2,LA1 2 950 95 Ike
------------------------------------------------------------------
2011 Sep NC1 1 952 75 Irene
2012 Aug LA1 1 966 70 Isaac
2012 Oct * NY1 1 942 65 Sandy
2014 Jul NC2 2 973 85 Arthur
Notes:
Updated from Jarrell et al. 1992 and reflecting official HURDAT reanalysis
changes through 1914. Note that from 1915 through 1979,no official wind speed
estimates are currently available. Document created in Feb. 2005
States Affected and Category by States Affected: The impact of the
hurricane on individual U.S. states based upon the Saffir-Simpson Scale
(through the estimate of the maximum sustained surface winds at each state).
(TX S-South Texas,TX C-Central Texas,TX N-North Texas,LA-Louisiana,
MS-Mississippi,AL-Alabama,FL NW-Northwest Florida,FL SW-Southwest
Florida,FL SE-Southeast Florida,FL NE-Northeast Florida,GA-Georgia,
SC-South Carolina,NC-North Carolina,VA-Virginia,MD-Maryland,DE-Delaware,
NJ-New Jersey,NY-New York,PA-Pennsylvania,CT-Connecticut,RI-Rhode Island,
MA-Massachusetts,NH-New Hampshire,ME-Maine. In Texas,south refers to the
area from the Mexican border to Corpus Christi/central spans from north of
Corpus Christi to Matagorda Bay and north refers to the region from north of
Matagorda Bay to the Louisiana border. In Florida,the north-south dividing
line is from Cape Canaveral [28.45N] to Tarpon Springs [28.17N]. The
dividing line between west-east Florida goes from 82.69W at the north Florida
border with Georgia,to Lake Okeechobee and due south along longitude 80.85W.)
Highest U.S. Saffir-Simpson Category: The highest Saffir-Simpson Hurricane
Scale impact in the United States based upon estimated maximum sustained
surface winds produced at the coast.
Central Pressure: The observed (or analyzed from peripheral pressure
measurements) central pressure of the hurricane at landfall.
Maximum Winds: Estimated maximum sustained (1-min) surface (10 m) winds to
occur along the U. S. coast. Winds are estimated to the nearest 10 kt for the
period of 1851 to 1885 and to the nearest 5 kt for the period of 1886 to date.
(1 kt = 1.15 mph.)
* - Indicates that the hurricane center did not make a U.S. landfall (or
substantially weakened before making landfall),but did produce the indicated
hurricane force winds over land. In this case,central pressure is given for
the hurricane's point of closest approach.
& - Indicates that the hurricane center did make a direct landfall,but that
the strongest winds likely remained offshore. Thus the winds indicated here
are lower than in HURDAT.
# - Indicates that the hurricane made landfall over Mexico,but also caused
sustained hurricane force surface winds in Texas. The strongest winds at
landfall impacted Mexico,while the weaker maximum sustained winds indicated
here were conditions estimated to occur in Texas. Indicated central pressure
given is that at Mexican landfall.
Additional Note:
Because of the sparseness of towns and cities before 1900 in
some coastal locations along the United States,the above list is not complete
for all states. Before the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts became settled,
hurricanes may have been underestimated in their intensity or missed completely
for small-sized systems (i.e.,2004's Hurricane Charley). The following
list provides estimated dates when accurate tropical cyclone records began for
specified regions of the United States based upon U.S Census reports and other
historical analyses. Years in parenthesis indicate possible starting dates for
reliable records before the 1850s that may be available with additional
research:
* Texas-south - 1880
* Texas-central - 1851
* Texas-north - 1860
* Louisiana - 1880
* Mississippi - 1851
* Alabama < 1851 (1830)
* Florida-northwest - 1880
* Florida-southwest - 1900
* Florida-southeast - 1900
* Florida-northeast - 1880
* Georgia < 1851 (1800)
* South Carolina < 1851 (1760)
* North Carolina < 1851 (1760)
* Virginia < 1851 (1700)
* Maryland < 1851 (1760)
* Delaware < 1851 (1700)
* New Jersey < 1851 (1760)
* New York < 1851 (1700)
* Connecticut < 1851 (1660)
* Rhode Island < 1851 (1760)
* Massachusetts < 1851 (1660)
* New Hampshire < 1851 (1660)
* Maine < 1851 (1790)
Last Revised : June 1,2016
Subject: E24) How long has it been since a hurricane or a major
hurricane hit a given community in the United States?
Contributed by Chris Landsea
This table summarizes the occurrence of the last hurricane and major
hurricane to directly hit the most populated coastal communities from
Brownsville, Texas to Eastport, Maine. In addition, if a hurricane
indirectly affected a community after the last direct hit, it is listed
in the last column of the table. To obtain histories of hurricane strikes
by coastal counties, the reader is referred to the NOAA Coastal Services
Center web site. There are many illustrative examples of the uncertainty
of when a hurricane might strike a given locality. After nearly 70 years
without a direct hit, Pensacola, Florida was hit directly by Hurricane Erin in
1995 and major Hurricane Ivan in 2004 within 10 years. Miami, which expects a
major hurricane every nine years, on average, has been struck only once since
1950 (Andrew in 1992). Tampa has not experienced a major hurricane for 84
years. Many locations along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts have not experienced
a major hurricane during the period 1851-2015.
Last direct or indirect hit by any hurricane or a major hurricane at
certain populated coastal communities through 2015.
State City Last Direct Major Last Direct
Hurricane Hit Hurricane Hit
Texas
Brownsville 1980 Cat3 Allen 2008 Cat1 Dolly
Corpus Christi 1970 Cat3 Celia 1971 Cat1 Fern
Port Aransas 1970 Cat3 Celia 1971 Cat1 Fern
Matagorda 1961 Cat4 Carla 2003 Cat1 Claudette
Freeport 1983 Cat3 Alicia 2008 Cat2 Ike
Galveston 1983 Cat3 Alicia 2008 Cat2 Ike
Houston 2005 Cat3 Rita 2008 Cat2 Ike
Beaumont 2005 Cat3 Rita 2007 Cat1 Humberto
Louisiana
Cameron 1957 Cat4 Audrey 1985 Cat1 Danny
Morgan City 1992 Cat3 Andrew 2008 Cat2 Gustav
Houma 1974 Cat3 Carmen 2008 Cat2 Gustav
New Orleans 2005 Cat3 Katrina 2005 Cat3 Katrina
Mississippi
Bay St. Louis 2005 Cat3 Katrina 1985 Cat3 Elena
Biloxi 1985 Cat3 Elena 2005 Cat2 Katrina
Pascagoula 1985 Cat3 Elena 2005 Cat1 Katrina
Alabama
Mobile 1985 Cat3 Elena 2005 Cat1 Katrina
Florida
Pensacola 2004 Cat3 Ivan 2005 Cat3 Dennis
Panama City 1995 Cat3 Opal 2005 Cat1 Dennis
Apalachicola 1985 Cat3 Elena 1998 Cat2 Earl
Homosassa 1950 Cat3 Easy 1968 Cat2 Gladys
St. Petersburg 1921 Cat3 1946 Cat1
Tampa 1921 Cat3 1946 Cat1
Sarasota 1944 Cat3 1946 Cat1
Fort Myers 1960 Cat3 Donna 1960 Cat3 Donna
Naples 2005 Cat3 Wilma 1964 Cat2 Isbell
Key West 1948 Cat3 1999 Cat1 Irene
Miami 1992 Cat5 Andrew 1999 Cat1 Irene
Fort Lauderdale 1950 Cat3 King 1999 Cat1 Irene
W. Palm Beach 1949 Cat3 2005 Cat1 Wilma
Stuart 2004 Cat3 Jeanne 2004 Cat3 Jeanne
Fort Pierce 2004 Cat3 Jeanne 2004 Cat3 Jeanne
Vero Beach 2004 Cat3 Jeanne 2004 Cat3 Jeanne
Cocoa <1900 1995 Cat1 Erin
Daytona Bch <1880 1960 Cat2 Donna
St. Augustine <1880 1964 Cat2 Dora
Jacksonville <1880 1964 Cat2 Dora
Fernandina Bch <1880 1928 Cat2
Georgia
Brunswick 1898 Cat4 1928 Cat1
Savannah 1854 Cat3 1979 Cat2 David
S. Carolina
Hilton Head 1959 Cat3 Gracie 1979 Cat2 David
Charleston 1989 Cat4 Hugo 1989 Cat4 Hugo
Myrtle Beach 1954 Cat4 Hazel 1954 Cat4 Hazel
N. Carolina
Wilmington 1996 Cat3 Fran 1999 Cat2 Floyd
Morehead City 1996 Cat3 Fran 1999 Cat2 Floyd
Cape Hatteras 1993 Cat3 Emily 2003 Cat2 Isabel
Virginia
Virginia Beach 1944 Cat3 2003 Cat1 Isabel
Norfolk <1851 2003 Cat1 Isabel
Maryland
Ocean City <1851 <1851
Baltimore <1851 1878 Cat1
Delaware
Rehoboth Bch <1851 <1851
Wilmington <1851 <1851 1954
New Jersey
Cape May <1851 1903 Cat1
Atlantic City <1851 1903 Cat1
New York
New York City <1851 1903 Cat1
Westhampton 1985 Cat3 Gloria 1985 Cat3 Gloria
Connecticut
New London 1938 Cat3 1991 Cat2 Bob
New Haven 1938 Cat3 1985 Cat2 Gloria
Bridgeport 1954 Cat3 Carol 1985 Cat2 Gloria
Rhode Island
Providence 1954 Cat3 Carol 1991 Cat2 Bob
Mass.
Cape Cod 1954 Cat3 Edna 1991 Cat2 Bob
Boston 1869 Cat3 1960 Cat1 Donna
New Hampshire
Portsmouth <1851 1985 Cat2 Gloria
Maine
Portland <1851 1985 Cat1 Gloria
Eastport <1851 1969 Cat1 Gerda
Reference
Blake, E.S., E.N. Rappaport, J.D. Jarell, and C.W. Landsea, 2005:
"The Deadliest, Costliest, and Most Intense United States Hurricanes from
1851 to 2004 (and Other Frequently Requested Hurricane Facts.) NOAA
Technical Memorandum NWS-TPC-4, 48 pp.
Last Revised : June 01, 2016
Subject: E25) Which countries have had the most tropical cyclones hits?
Contributed by Ethan Gibney
This table ranks the top ten coutries by most tropical cyclone strikes.
These numbers are approximated from the IBTrACS database and include only those
storm tracks that intersected the coastline at hurricane intensity (> 65 kt)
and does NOT include storms that remained just offshore but may have affected
the country.
Total number of tropical cyclone hits by country
Rank Nation # of Hits
1 United States of America 268
2 China 230
3 Philippines 176
4 Mexico 134
5 Japan 133
6 Cuba 79
7 Australia 66
8 Bahamas 61
9 Vietnam 45
10 Madagascar 30
However, it should be noted that some basins have longer histories of
such activity and this might bias these counts. So the following is
the ranking if we only look at storms since 1970, when world-wide
satellite coverage became available.
Ranking of tropical cyclone hits by country since 1970
Rank Nation
1 China
2 Philippines
3 Japan
4 Mexico
5 United States
of America
6 Australia
7 Taiwan
8 Vietnam
9 Madagascar
10 Cuba
Last Updated : April 22, 2010