History's most destructive hurricanes

Metro Atlanta

History's most destructive hurricanes

A look at the damage caused by some of the most destructive hurricanes from around the world.

HURRICANE MITCH, 1998: Hurricane Mitch, which struck Central America in 1998, is considered one of the deadliest hurricanes in history, causing over 11,000 fatalities. In addition, over 3 million people were left homeless, and the storm caused over $5 billion in damages. Seen here, two local residents pass a destroyed house in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on November 13, 1998, after Hurricane Mitch hit the country. (Photo credit: JOEL ROBINE/AFP/Getty Images)

HURRICANE ANDREW, 1992: Hurricane Andrew is considered to be one of the costliest natural disasters ever to strike the U.S., causing at least $26 billion in damages. The hurricane was a category 5 when it struck Dade County, Florida. A resident (bottom right) looks out of his apartment that had its walls blown away by Hurricane Andrew. About 50,000 Dade county residents are without their homes due to Hurricane Andrew, which struck the area on August 24, 1992. (ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP/Getty Images)

HURRICANE OPAL, 1995: A row of destroyed townhouses sit along Panama City beach on October 5, 1995 after Hurricane Opal pounded the Florida Panhandle. Hurricane Opal was a Category 3 hurricane when it made landfall near Pensacola. Storm surges were reported up to 20 feet along the Panhandle area. Damages were estimated to be almost $3 billion. (TONY RANZE/AFP/Getty Images)

HURRICANE IKE, 2008: An aerial view of the destruction caused by Hurricane Ike along Bolivar Peninsula, a strip of coastal land just north of Galveston Island, TX. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/Washington Post/Getty Images)

HURRICANE KATRINA, 2005: Seen here, flood waters from Hurricane Katrina cover streets on August 30, 2005, in New Orleans, Louisiana. At the time, it was estimated that 80 percent of New Orleans was under flood waters as levees broke and leaked around Lake Ponchartrain. (POOL/AFP/Getty Images)

HURRICANE KATRINA, 2005: Yachts are shown washed aground from flood waters of Hurricane Katrina September 11, 2005 in South Shore Harbor, Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans, Louisiana. Rescue and clean up efforts continue in the areas affected by the storm three weeks after it hit. (Photo by Jerry Grayson/Helifilms Australia PTY Ltd/Getty Images)

HURRICANE (TYPHOON) IKE, 1984: Houses sit in ruin September 12, 1984 in the Philippines. This powerful storm system that hit the Philippines killed almost 1,500 people, left over one million people homeless and caused an estimated $110 million dollars worth of damages. (Photo by Andres Hernandez/Liaison)

HURRICANE (TYPHOON) IKE, 1984: A woman hangs clothing on building ruins on September 12, 1984, in the Philippines. The destructive storm system churned for five days over the region, causing widespread flash floods and mud slides. (Photo by Andres Hernandez/Liaison)

HURRICANE CHARLEY, 2004: An aerial view of the damage left by Hurricane Charley in Punta Gorda, Florida in August 2004. Hurricane Charley which had winds to 145 mph killed at least 16 people and forced thousands from their homes. The fast-moving storm caused over $15 billion in damages. (STEPHEN JAFFE/AFP/Getty Images)

UK HURRICANE, 1953: This destructive storm system triggered the North Sea floods, which ravaged the coastal areas of England and Scotland. Over 2,400 perished, most by drowning. Part of a forest destroyed by a hurricane which swept over north east Scotland. On January 31st, 1953, a hurricane felled an estimated 35 million cubic feet of timber in the Dee, Don and Spey Valleys. (Photo by Kurt Hutton/Picture Post/Getty Images)

HURRICANE AUDREY, 1957: Hurricane Audrey struck the coastal areas of Louisiana and Texas and is considered to be one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history. The hurricane struck in June, during the earlier part of the hurricane season. The storm system caused at least 500 deaths, though many more casualties were likely but not officially recorded. Seen here is a view of wreckage in the aftermath of Hurricane Audrey, Louisiana. (Photo by Shel Hershorn/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

GREAT MIAMI HURRICANE, 1926: This destructive storm system charged from the Caribbean to strike the southern portion of Florida. There were hundreds of casualties and the storm caused historic property damage that would be over $100 billion in today's dollars. The coastline in Miami, Florida, following the great hurricane, which brought an end to the Florida land boom. (Photo by R. B. Holt/MPI/Getty Images)

GREAT NEW ENGLAND HURRICANE, 1938: This hurricane is considered to be one of the most destructive to ever strike the southern portion of New England. Sustained winds were reported at 121 mph and gusting up to 186 mph. Storm tides rose as high as 25 feet, and rainfall of up to 17 inches led to severe flooding. In total, the hurricane was responsible for over 560 deaths and 1,700 injuries. Seen here, the steeple of the First Unitarian church was on the outside, but a hurricane two days earlier snapped it off at the base and hurled it through the roof into the pews, East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, September 23, 1938. (Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images)

HURRICANE INEZ, 1966: Hurricane Inez caused a path of destruction from the Bahamas to Florida to Mexico over the course of nearly three weeks, making it the most destructive hurricane of the 1966 season. Hurricane Inez caused 293 deaths and $40 million in property damage. Seen here are the wind gusts from Inez pummelling Miami. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)

GALVESTON HURRICANE, 1915: Top sustained winds of 93 miles per hour; top wind gusts of 120 miles per hour. Flood waters rose to a depth of 6 to 9 feet. The hurricane was responsible for 12 deaths and an estimated $5-8 million in property damage. This photo shows the timbers and overturned structures strewn about the streets as evidence of the massive destruction left behind by the 'Galveston' hurricane, Texas, 1915. (Photo by Buyenlarge/Getty Images)

GREAT ATLANTIC HURRICANE, 1944: This powerful hurricane churned up the East Coast, from North Carolina to Maine, claiming almost 400 lives and costing over $100 million in damages. Seen here, a man struggles with his umbrella past damaged mannequins on the window of the Edith and Billie Bridal Salon at 271 Grand Street in New York city. (Photo by Weegee(Arthur Fellig)/International Center of Photography/Getty Images)

Myth: The storm surge is maybe 15 to 20 feet at worst. My condo is on an upper floor, I’ll ride the storm out here. Fact: Escaping the rising storm surge by going to the upper stories of buildings, called vertical evacuation, is not a plan. Wind speeds increase the higher you go, so you may be going into a more dangerous place. Plus storm damage and flooding will make rescue efforts nearly impossible after the storm passes.

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HURRICANE MITCH, 1998: Hurricane Mitch, which struck Central America in 1998, is considered one of the deadliest hurricanes in history, causing over 11,000 fatalities. In addition, over 3 million people were left homeless, and the storm caused over $5 billion in damages. Seen here, two local residents pass a destroyed house in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on November 13, 1998, after Hurricane Mitch hit the country. (Photo credit: JOEL ROBINE/AFP/Getty Images)

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