Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest hurricane in the history of the United States and also one of the five deadliest. The storm is estimated to have been responsible for $81.2 billion (2005 U.S. dollars). in damage Among recorded hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall and the third strongest to make a landfall in the United States.

In 1992, the United States experienced Hurricane Andrew which caused approximately $26.5 billion in damage. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that the top 10 hurricanes in the United States each caused more than $9 billion in damage.*

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Hurricanes can cause severe flooding and extensive damage from heavy rainfall, storm surge and sustained winds. A storm surge occurs just before a hurricane touches land when the low pressure of the hurricane eye draws in the surface of the ocean. This effect creates a wall of water up to 20 feet higher than the normal high tide that can extend 50 to 100 miles. Hurricanes may spawn tornadoes that can also cause extensive damage.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Don’t get caught off guard. Advances in technology and weather tracking have made it easier to detect these storms before they make landfall. Hurricanes are dangerous and can result in devastating losses. Proper preparation and action steps can help reduce damage dramatically.