The Most Expensive U.S. Hurricane Season Ever: By the Numbers
- Storms racked up more than $200 billion in damages in U.S.
- Ireland was threatened with worst tropical storm since 1961
Plant debris sits outside of the damaged Caribe Playa Beach Resort after Hurricane Maria in Patillas, Puerto Rico, on Oct. 6.
Photographer: Xavier Garcia/BloombergThis year’s U.S. Atlantic hurricane season is officially the most expensive ever, racking up $202.6 billion in damages since the formal start on June 1.
The costs tallied by disaster modelers Chuck Watson and Mark Johnson surpass anything they’ve seen in previous years. That shouldn’t come as a complete surprise: In late August, Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Gulf Coast, wreaking havoc upon the heart of America’s energy sector. Then Irma struck Florida, devastating the Caribbean islands on the way. Hurricane Maria followed shortly after, wiping out power to all of Puerto Rico. And the season’s not over yet: It officially ends on Nov. 30.