The Worst Hurricanes On Record
Cyclone, typhoon, Hurricane – depending on where in the world they occur, these huge, destructive tropical storms can have a different name. Unfortunately, regardless of their title, the gusty winds and flash floods that these storms bring with them have dire consequences for citizens and infrastructure. The following is a list of the worst hurricanes on record, in terms of human casualties.
10. Monterrey Hurricane , 1909-4,000 victims
In 1909, the destructive Monterrey hurricane struck Mexico. Estimates place the number of victims at around 4,000. In addition to this tragic loss of life, tens of thousands of homeless people became homeless, and the material damage was enormous. It remains one of the worst hurricanes ever experienced.
9. Hurricane Okeechobee, 1928 – 4,075 casualties
On september 13, 1928, the deadly Okeechobee hurricane strikes populations on the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Nevis and Montserrat, all located in the Caribbean. The hurricane made landfall in Florida in the United States a few days later. Winds with speeds of up to 260 km per hour had devastating effects on the environment. The storm caused today’s equivalent of $ 1.4 billion in damage.
8. Newfoundland Hurricane , 1775-4,000 to 4,163
Long ago in 1775, a major hurricane struck what is now the Eastern Canadian province of Newfoundland. The hurricane had catastrophic effects on the local fishing industry and was responsible for at least 4,000 deaths. Most of these victims were sailors. This event still goes down in history as the worst natural disaster to ever hit Canada.
7. Pointe-a-Pitre Bay Hurricane, 1776-6,000 victims
One of the oldest Hurricanes on this list, the 1776 Pointe-a-Pitre Bay hurricane, goes down in history for its massive destruction. It is estimated that around 6,000 people lost their lives. However, not much is known about this tragic event. What is known is that the effects were especially felt on Guadeloupe, the island on which the city of Pointe-a-Pitre exists.
6. Dominican Republic, 1930, 2,000-8,000 victims
In 1930, the Dominican Republic experiences what is still considered one of the deadliest hurricanes of all time. Estimates of the number of deaths put it somewhere between 2,000 and 8,000 people. As its name suggests, the Dominican Republic was the most affected by the storm, although impacts were also felt on other islands in the Lesser Antilles. The Dominican capital Santo Domingo was particularly damaged by the storm.
5. Hurricane Flora, 1963-7,193 victims
The 1963 hurricane flora affected a large surface area, from the southern Caribbean islands to as far north as Atlantic Canada. Most casualties were reported in Haiti (5,000) and Cuba (1,750). Hurricane Flora also caused incredibly extensive property damage and destroyed thousands of homes. The economic effects of Hurricane Flora continued to be felt for years due to the destruction of crops and infrastructure. Hurricane Flora is remembered today as one of the worst hurricanes in history.
4. Hurricane of Hurricane, 1974-8,200 victims
In 1974, Hurricane Orlene affected areas of Jamaica, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, causing catastrophic damage and loss of life. Originally named hurricane Fifi, Hurricane Orlene was particularly hard-hitting in Honduras, where nearly 182 cities were destroyed overnight. The total death toll from Hurricane Orlene is still uncertain to this day. 8,200 victims are considered a low estimate.
3. Galveston Hurricane, 1900 – 6,000 – 12,000 victims
6,000 to 12,000 people died in the Great Galveston hurricane of 1900, one of the deadliest hurricanes ever. The hurricane, with winds of 233 km / h, made landfall in Galveston, Texas on september 8, 1900. Because of conflicting predictions, Galveston residents were unwilling to overcome the great danger. When the Galveston hurricane made landfall on the island city of Galveston, people were shocked. A 15-foot storm caused large areas of the city that were only 8 feet above sea level. Many lives were also lost. The Galveston hurricane exposed Galveston’s vulnerability to hurricane-related natural disasters. In the aftermath of the Galveston hurricane, the island of Galveston was lifted with 17 legs and a seawall with a height of 17 in height was erected.
2. Hurricane Mitch, 1998-11,374 victims
Hurricane Mitch, one of the most strognest hurricanes in history, was the most destructive hurricane of the 1998 Atlantic hurricane season. The hurricane was associated with sustained winds of 290 km / h. it formed in the Caribbean Sea on October 22, 1998, and gradually gained strength to become a Category 5 hurricane. The slow-moving hurricane caused wanton destruction wherever it went. Historical amounts of precipitation occurred in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. 11,000 people died and almost the same number were missing. Nearly 2.7 million people have been rendered homeless and property damage worth $ 6 billion USD has been made.
1. The Great hurricane of 1780-20,000 to 27,500 victims
The deadliest Atlantic hurricane in history dates back to 1780 when the Great Hurricane of 1780 killed 20,000 to 22,000 people throughout the Lesser Antilles region. The event occurred between October 10 to16 and it is estimated that the hurricane was associated with wind speeds exceeding 320 km / h. After striking Barbados, The Great Hurricane of 1780 roared over Martinique, St. Lucia and other Caribbean islands. Because the hurricane occurred in the midst of the American Revolution, the French and British fleets contesting control of their colonies suffered heavy losses.