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tropical cyclone
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tropical cyclone
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For Students
tropical cyclone summary
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Deadliest hurricanes in the United States

intropical cyclone
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Also known as: cyclone, hurricane, typhoon
Written by
Joseph A. Zehnder
Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Creighton University.
Joseph A. Zehnder
Fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: • Article History
Also called:
typhoon or hurricane
Typhoon Usagi wreaks more damage and misery in Philippines as yet another storm looms • Nov. 15, 2024, 8:39 AM ET (AP)
Hurricane-stricken Tampa Bay Rays to play 2025 season at Yankees' spring training field in Tampa • Nov. 14, 2024, 3:45 PM ET (AP)
Hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field can be fixed for about $55M in time for 2026 season, per report • Nov. 12, 2024, 4:36 PM ET (AP)
Haynes King leads Georgia Tech past Cam Ward, No. 4 Miami 28-23 for Hurricanes' 1st loss • Nov. 9, 2024, 5:55 PM ET (AP)

The deadliest hurricanes in the United States are listed in the table.

Deadliest hurricanes in the U.S.
hurricane location (and name, if any) year category deaths
1Death toll may have been as high as 12,000.
2Death toll may have been as high as 3,000.
3Including those lost at sea.
4Death toll may have been as high as 2,000.
Data source: National Hurricane Center.
 1 Galveston, Texas 1900 4 8,0001
 2 Lake Okeechobee, Florida 1928 4 2,5002
 3 southeastern Louisiana; southeastern Florida; Mississippi (Katrina) 2005 3 1,200 
 4 Cheniere Caminada, Louisiana 1893 4 2,0003
 5 Sea Islands, South Carolina and Georgia 1893 3 1,0004
 6 Georgia; South Carolina 1881 2 700 
 7 New England 1938 3 6003
 7 Florida Keys; southern Texas 1919 4 6003
 9 southwestern Louisiana; northern Texas (Audrey) 1957 4 416 
10 Florida Keys 1935 5 408 
11 Last Island, Louisiana 1856 4 400 
12 Florida; Mississippi; Alabama 1926 4 372 
13 Grand Isle, Louisiana 1909 3 350 
14 New Orleans, Louisiana 1915 4 2753
15 Galveston, Texas 1915 4 275 
16 Mississippi; southeastern Louisiana; Virginia (Camille) 1969 5 256 
17 northeastern U.S. (Diane) 1955 1 184 
18 Georgia; South Carolina; North Carolina 1898 4 179 
19 Texas 1875 3 176 
20 southeastern Florida 1906 3 164 
21 Texas (Indianola) 1886 4 150 
22 Mississippi; Alabama; northwestern Florida 1906 2 134 
23 Florida; Georgia; South Carolina 1896 3 130 
24 northeastern U.S. (Sandy) 2012 1 125 
25 Florida; northeastern U.S. (Agnes) 1972 1 122