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List of costliest tropical cyclones
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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This is a list of costliest tropical cyclones, listed by tropical cyclone basin. Damage tolls of tropical cyclones are listed and ranked in USD of the year of the tropical cyclone, although inflation-adjusted figures are also supplied. The main effects of tropical cyclones include strong winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, floods, tornadoes, and landslides.[1] This list is based on property damage done directly by a tropical cyclone.
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Overall costliest
The costliest tropical cyclones on record are Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, both causing $125 billion in damages in 2005 and 2017, respectively. In 2022, Hurricane Ian became the third-costliest tropical cyclone on record, causing $112 billion in damages.[2][3][4][5] In 2017, Hurricane Maria became the fourth costliest tropical cyclone on record. In 2024, Hurricane Helene became the fifth-most costly tropical cyclone on record, causing $78.7 billion in damages. Hurricanes Irma and Ida also have damage tolls of over $70 billion.[6][7][8]
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North Atlantic Ocean
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The costliest Atlantic hurricanes on record are Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, both causing $125 billion in damages in 2005 and 2017 respectively. In 2022, Hurricane Ian became the third costliest Atlantic hurricane on record, causing $112 billion in damages.[2][3][4][5] Hurricanes Maria, Helene, Irma, and Ida also have damage tolls of over $70 billion.[6][7][8] The costliest tropical cyclone in the Atlantic that did not become a hurricane is Tropical Storm Allison, which caused $9 billion in damages in 2001.[9] The costliest Atlantic hurricane to not have its name retired is Hurricane Sally in 2020, which caused $7.3 billion in damages.[10]
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Northeastern Pacific Ocean
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The costliest Pacific hurricane on record was Hurricane Otis in 2023.[11] Hurricane Manuel in 2013 is the second costliest Pacific hurricane on record.[12] Hurricane Iniki of the 1992 Pacific hurricane season is still the costliest central Pacific hurricane on record.[13] Only six Pacific hurricanes have caused over one billion dollars in damage; the three mentioned above, as well as Hurricane John, Hurricane Odile and Tropical Storm Agatha.[14][15][16]
Northwestern Pacific Ocean
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The costliest typhoon on record was Typhoon Doksuri in 2023, which caused over $28 billion in damages, primarily in China.[17][18][19] Typhoon Hagibis in 2019 was responsible for over $17 billion in damages.[20] Typhoon Yagi in 2024 is the third-costliest in nominal terms, causing over $14 billion in damages, while Typhoon Jebi in 2018 is the fourth-costliest, causing $13 billion in damages. Adjusting for inflation, Typhoon Mireille of 1991 is the second-costliest typhoon on record with it causing $18.4 billion (2018 USD) in damages.[21] Without adjusting for inflation, it is tied with Typhoon Faxai of 2019 with both systems causing $10 billion in damages.[22][23] Typhoons Lekima, Songda, and Saomai caused over $9 billion in damages in 2019, 2004, and 2000, respectively.[24][23]
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North Indian Ocean
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The costliest North Indian Ocean cyclone on record was Cyclone Amphan in 2020, which caused $15.5 billion in damages.[25] Cyclone Nargis became the second costliest cyclone in 2008 after causing $15.3 billion in damages.[26] Cyclone Gonu is the costliest tropical cyclone in the Arabian Sea.[27] Other costly cyclones include Cyclones Fani, the 1999 Odisha cyclone, and Cyclone Phailin.[28][29][30]
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South-West Indian Ocean
Only six South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclones are known to have caused at least $400 million in damages. Among these, the costliest on record was Cyclone Chido in 2024, which caused $3.9 billion in damages.[31] The other four cyclones are, Idai in 2019, Issa in 2022, Freddy in 2023, and Garance in 2025; respectively, the four cyclones caused $3.3 billion, $1.57 billion, $1.53 billion, and $940 million.[32][33][34][35][36][37]
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Australian region
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The costliest Australian region tropical cyclone on record was Cyclone Yasi in 2011, which caused $3.6 billion in damages.[38] The next-costliest cyclone, Debbie, caused $2.73 billion in damages[39] and is closely followed by Oswald, which caused $2.52 billion in damages.[40] Additionally, Cyclones Alfred, Veronica, Ita, and Larry caused over $1 billion in damages in 2025, 2019, 2014, and 2006 respectively.[41][42][43][44][45] Cyclone Tracy is considered one of Australia's most destructive cyclones. While only causing $645 million in damages,[note 1][46] 66 people were killed and over 25,000 people were left homeless.[47]
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South Pacific Ocean
The costliest South Pacific tropical cyclone was Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, which caused $9.2 billion in damages.[48] The next costliest, Tropical Depression 06F in 2023, caused $1.43 billion in damages.[49] Other costly South Pacific cyclones include Cyclone Winston in 2016[50] and Cyclone Harold in 2020.[51][52][53]
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Mediterranean Sea
The costliest Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone is Storm Daniel in 2023, which caused $21.14 billion in damages in Greece and Libya.[55][56] The next costliest is Tropical Storm Rolf in 2011, which caused over $1.25 billion in damages.[57] Other costly Mediterranean tropical-like cyclones include Cyclone Qendresa in 2014,[58] Cyclone Apollo in 2021,[59] Cyclone Numa in 2017,[60] and Cyclone Ianos in 2020.[61]
Elsewhere
Only two South Atlantic tropical cyclones have caused measurable amounts of damages. In 2004, Hurricane Catarina caused $350 million in damages when it made landfall as a Category 2 tropical cyclone in Santa Catarina. In 2022, Subtropical Storm Yakecan caused $50 million in damages in Uruguay and Southern Brazil.[62][63]
In the eastern portion of the South Pacific, tropical cyclone formation is extremely rare, and Cyclone Yaku in 2023 is the only known system to impact land, causing $690 million in damages in Peru and Ecuador.[64]
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See also
Notes
- Adjusted for inflation, damages are the highest on record, at $7.69 billion.
References
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