The 24 Biggest Hurricanes in Recorded History

Hurricane Rita

Nature has an uncanny ability to remind us of its immense power through various manifestations. Among these, hurricanes stand out as some of the scariest forces, capable of wreaking havoc on a large scale. 

Hunker down as we take a ride through the tumultuous history of the 24 most jaw-dropping hurricanes ever to exist. These are the ones that left a mark so massive even Mother Nature had to take a step back and say, “Whoa!”

1. The Great Hurricane (1780)

The Great Hurricane (1780)
Image Credit: Egmont Robt Fanshawe/Wiki Commons.

The 18th century bore witness to one of the deadliest hurricanes on record. Sweeping through the Caribbean, it claimed the lives of over 22,000 people. Its catastrophic impact was felt across the region, causing profound social, economic, and political consequences. 

It also played a significant role in the military strategies of the time, disrupting both British and French fleets during the American Revolutionary War.

2. The Galveston Hurricane (1900)

The Galveston Hurricane 1900
Image Credit: Wiki Commons.

Fast forward to the early 1900s, the Galveston Hurricane, a Category 4 storm, struck the land of Texas. This devastating event resulted in the loss of 8,000 lives and virtually obliterated the city of Galveston. In its aftermath, the construction of the Galveston Seawall began, a testament to the resilience of communities facing the relentless force of nature

3. Great Miami Hurricane (1926)

Great Miami Hurricane (1926)
Image Credit: Phillip Pessar – CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

The Great Miami Hurricane of 1926 stands as a benchmark for destruction in South Florida. Striking as a Category 4 hurricane, the storm’s impact was exacerbated by a lack of preparedness and poor infrastructure. The aftermath saw a devastating death toll exceeding 370.

4. The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane 

The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane 
Image Credit: Ned McCarthy – CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

This one holds the record as the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. With sustained winds of 185 mph, it struck the Florida Keys, causing widespread destruction and claiming the lives of hundreds. 

5. The Long Island Express (1938)

The Long Island Express (1938)
Image Credit: Wiki Commons.

Meet the Long Island Express, the hurricane that threw a plot twist at the Northeast in 1938. With a surprise attack that caught everyone off guard, this Category 5 whirlwind claimed over 600 lives and taught us all about the importance of timely and accurate forecasting for the not-so-hurricane-prone areas.

6. Hurricane Hazel (1954)

Hurricane Hazel (1954)
Image Credit: Risker – CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

Hazel, a Category 4 hurricane, defied expectations by maintaining strength as it struck the U.S. and then veered into Canada. It highlighted the need for improved forecasting as the death toll surpassed 400 in Haiti before even hitting the U.S. 

7. Hurricane Donna (1960) 

Hurricane Donna
Image Credit: Wiki Commons.

Hurricane Donna of 1960 left a permanent mark as a powerful Category 4 hurricane that set records for sustained winds. Striking both the United States and the Caribbean, Donna prompted advancements in early warning systems. The storm’s impact resulted in an unfortunate death toll of over 400.

8. Hurricane Camille (1969)

Hurricane Camille 1969
Image Credit: NOAA/Wiki Commons.

This major hurricane struck the Gulf Coast in 1969, leaving a path of destruction from Louisiana to Virginia. With winds exceeding 170 mph, it was a Category 5 disaster, leading to over 250 fatalities. 

9. Hurricane Agnes (1972)

Hurricane Agnes (1972)
Image Credit: CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Agnes, a Category 1 hurricane, might not have been the strongest, but its slow movement and interaction with a frontal system caused extensive rainfall and flooding along the East Coast. The aftermath led to over 120 fatalities and showcased the far-reaching impacts of hurricanes beyond coastal areas. 

10. Hurricane Hugo (1989)

Hurricane Hugo (1989)
Image Credit: National Museum of the U.S. Navy/Wiki Commons.

In 1989, Hurricane Hugo unleashed its Category 4 fury on The Carolinas, catching residents off guard with its unexpected strength. The storm’s powerful winds and storm surge led to over 60 fatalities. 

11. Hurricane Andrew (1992)

Hurricane Andrew 1992
Image Credit: NASA/Wiki Commons.

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew struck Florida with devastating force. The Category 5 storm left a trail of destruction, exposing the inadequacies of building codes and emergency preparedness. Due to this unfortunate incident, Florida revamped its building standards, becoming a benchmark for hurricane-prone regions worldwide. 

12. Hurricane Mitch (1998)

Hurricane Mitch 1998
Image Credit: United States Geological Survey/Wiki Commons.

In 1998, Hurricane Mitch crashed the Central American fiesta, causing chaos with extensive flooding and landslides. With over 11,000 casualties, this uninvited guest spurred international collaboration in disaster relief. 

13. Hurricane Floyd (1999)

Hurricane Floyd 1999
Image Credit: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Wiki Commons.

In 1999, Hurricane Floyd, a formidable Category 2 hurricane, made landfall in North Carolina, leaving a trail of destruction in its path. While the wind impacts were significant, Floyd’s lasting legacy was the widespread inland flooding that followed, which led to the death of over 80 people.

14. Hurricane Ivan (2004)

Hurricane Ivan (2004)
Image Credit: Edward Fincke – NASA/Wiki Commons.

In 2004, Hurricane Ivan unleashed havoc across the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. What set Ivan apart was its erratic behavior. After initially making landfall in the Caribbean, it looped back into the Gulf, intensifying before striking Alabama as a powerful Category 3 hurricane. Its unpredictability caught many off guard, resulting in widespread devastation and over 120 deaths.

15. Hurricane Katrina (2005)

Hurricane Katrina 2005
Image Credit: NOAA/Wiki Commons.

Who could forget the hurricane that made headlines and brought New Orleans to its knees? Striking the Gulf of Mexico in 2005, it exposed the vulnerability of urban infrastructure and emergency response systems. The flooding of New Orleans and the loss of over 1,800 lives served as a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive disaster preparedness. 

16. Hurricane Rita (2005)

Hurricane Rita 2005
Image Credit: Steven L. Phillips/Wiki Commons.

The Gulf of Mexico was yet to be faced with another harsh reality in 2005. Following the deadly Hurricane Katrina, Rita intensified rapidly, reaching Category 5 status. Though it weakened before landfall, Rita still caused significant damage, costing about $18.5 billion.

17. Hurricane Wilma (2005)

Hurricane Wilma 2005
Image Credit: Marc Averette, Own Work – CC BY 3.0/Wiki Commons.

Wilma holds the record for the most intense Atlantic hurricane, with a remarkable low-pressure reading. Striking Florida as a Category 5 hurricane, its rapid intensification and unexpected course changes caused the deaths of over 50 individuals. 

18. Hurricane Ike (2008)

Hurricane Ike 2008
Image Credit: Coast Guard Jayhawk/Wiki Commons.

Hurricane Ike, a Category 4 storm, battered the Greater Antilles and Northern America in 2008, causing extensive damage in Cuba and Texas. The storm surge inundated coastal areas, highlighting the vulnerabilities of low-lying regions. 

19. Hurricane Sandy (2012)

Hurricane Sandy 2012
Image Credit: The Birkes – CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

Called “Superstorm Sandy,” this hybrid hurricane struck the Caribbean and the Mid-Atlantic with a potent mix of wind, storm surge, and snow. The storm surge damaged coastal areas, causing widespread flooding, and the combination of factors led to over 230 fatalities.

20. Typhoon Haiyan (2013)

Typhoon Haiyan (2013)
Image Credit: CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

In 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan crashed the Philippines’ party, boasting winds faster than a Formula 1 race car. With a death toll greater than 6000, it made it clear that climate resilience and humanitarian response should top everyone’s priority list. 

21. Hurricane Harvey (2017)

Hurricane Harvey 2017
Image Credit: Randolph Bresnik/Wiki Commons.

Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane, will forever be remembered for its catastrophic rainfall that inundated Houston and the surrounding areas. Dropping more than 40 inches of rain, Harvey caused unprecedented flooding, displacing thousands and resulting in over 100 fatalities. Its slow movement amplified the deluge, showcasing the underestimated dangers of lingering storms. 

22. Hurricane Maria (2017)

Hurricane Maria 2017
Image Credit: Roosevelt Skerrit/Wiki Commons.

Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico was catastrophic, leaving the island in shambles. The storm’s Category 5 winds and torrential rains led to a humanitarian crisis, with a death toll exceeding 3,000. 

23. Hurricane Irma (2017)

Hurricane Irma 2017
Image Credit: NOAA/Wiki Commons.

Irma, a Category 5 hurricane, tore through the Caribbean Sea with unprecedented strength. It left a trail of destruction in its wake, affecting islands like Barbuda, Saint Martin, and the Virgin Islands. The sheer power of Irma’s winds and storm surge highlighted the need for robust infrastructure in vulnerable regions.

24. Hurricane Dorian (2019)

Hurricane Dorian 2019
Image Credit: CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

One of the most recent entries, this Category 5 hurricane devastated the Bahamas with sustained winds of 185 mph, showcasing the wrath of nature. The slow-moving storm resulted in over 70 fatalities. 

Author: Saad Muzaffar

Title: Writer

Expertise: Gaming, Technology, Lifestyle, Books

Bio:

Saad Muzaffar is an entertainment, lifestyle, and gaming writer at Wealth of Geeks. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science with a focus on Cyber Security and Data Science with an accompanying Minor in Political Science. When not writing, Saad enjoys playing the latest exclusive on his PS5 while trying to maintain his authority as the best Smash player in his group of friends. Community work is his passion, and he tries to help out whoever he can to the best of his abilities. He has one cat, Riki, and loves talking about his latest scratches. At WealthOfGeeks, Saad writes contributing lists focusing on entertainment, lifestyle, and politics.