Hurricanes are feared storms for good reasons. These deadly storms can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and extend several hundred miles inland. Hurricanes can produce winds exceeding 155 miles per hour as well as tornadoes. Storm surges along the coast and extensive damage from heavy rainfall are also part of the destructive forces from hurricanes.
Fortunately, Colorado State University researchers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Climate Prediction Center have predicted a well below-average hurricane season for the Atlantic basin in 2015, citing the likely development of a strong El Niño event as well as continued unfavorable hurricane formation conditions in the tropical Atlantic.
The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project team is calling for eight named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. The eight named storms that are predicted include Ana, which developed in early May. Of those eight named storms, researchers expect three to become hurricanes and one to reach major hurricane strength (Saffir/Simpson category 3-4-5) with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.
Did you know that September is the most common month for hurricanes making landfall in the U.S.? August and October are the next most common months for hurricanes, according to a NOAA analysis of data covering the years 1851 to 2011.
Here are the 10 costliest hurricanes to make landfall in the U.S., according to Verisk's Property Claim Services, based on their insured losses, adjusted for inflation.
Workers try to clear a mud slide on Interstate 40 outside of Black Mountain, N.C., after the remnants of Hurricane Frances brought heavy rains and flooding to the area. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
10. Hurricane Frances
Date: Sept. 3-9, 2004
States impacted: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, South Caroline
Estimated insured loss
- $4,595 billion (when occurred)
- $5,583 billion (in 2014 dollars)
Ronald Nunez stands outside of a trailer his family bought after Hurricane Rita destroyed his home in 2005, only to see it damaged by Hurricane Ike three years later in Cameron, La. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
9. Hurricane Rita
Date: Sept. 20-26, 2005
States impacted: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas
Estimated insured loss
- $5,627 billion (when occurred)
- $6,624 billion (in 2014 dollars)
A tree graveyard on Bull Island after Hurricane Hugo. (Robert D. Howell / Shutterstock)
8. Hurricane Hugo
Date: Sept. 17-22, 1989
States impacted: Georgia, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Virginia
Estimated insured loss
- $4,195 billion (when occurred)
- $7,055 billion (in 2014 dollars)
(Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock)
7. Hurricane Ivan
Date: Sept. 15-21, 2004
States impacted: Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Estimated insured loss
- $7,110 billion (when occurred)
- $8,639 billion (in 2014 dollars)
An abandoned home damaged by Hurricane Charley in Arcadia, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
6. Hurricane Charley
Date: Aug. 13-14, 2004
States impacted: Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina
Estimated insured loss
- $7,475 billion (when occurred)
- $9,083 billion (in 2014 dollars)
(Claudio Lovo / Shutterstock)
5. Hurricane Wilma
Date: Oct. 24, 2005
State impacted: Florida
Estimated insured loss
- $10,300 billion (when occurred)
- $12,125 billion (in 2014 dollars)
(Shutterstock)
4. Hurricane Ike
Date: Sept. 12-14, 2008
States impacted: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas
Estimated insured loss
- $12,500 billion (when occurred)
- $13,539 billion (in 2014 dollars)
Burned houses in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in Breezy Point, NY. More than 80 houses were destroyed in an out-of-control six-alarm blaze. (Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock)
3. Hurricane Sandy
Date: Oct. 28-31, 2012
States impacted: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Estimated insured loss
- $18,750 billion (when occurred)
- $19,307 billion (in 2014 dollars)
(Joseph Sohm / Shuttterstock)
2. Hurricane Andrew
Date: Aug. 24-26, 1992
States impacted: Florida, Louisiana
Estimated insured loss
- $15,500 billion (when occurred)
- $23,785 billion (in 2014 dollars)
(Shutterstock)
1. Hurricane Katrina
Date: Aug. 25-30, 2005
States impacted: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee
Estimated insured loss
- $41,100 billion (when occurred)
- $48,383 billion (in 2014 dollars)
[Related: No. 1 reason for travel insurance? Fears of hurricanes, says survey]
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