Factbox-The worst hurricanes in Florida’s historical past as Ian takes goal By Reuters

(Reuters) – Hurricane Ian is predicted to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast later this week, probably as a Class 3 storm, prompting residents to organize for life-threatening circumstances.

As Florida braces for Hurricane Ian, listed below are the 5 of probably the most lethal and damaging hurricanes to hit the state in recent times, listed in chronological order.

Whereas Hurricane Katrina in 2005 traveled throughout the southern tip of Florida, a lot of the deaths and destruction it triggered have been in New Orleans. Katrina nonetheless ranks as each the deadliest and most costly hurricane in fashionable U.S. historical past.

Excluding Katrina, Hurricane Irma was the most costly in Florida historical past, with whole U.S. injury from the storm estimated at $50 billion.

Hurricane Andrew instantly killed 15 individuals and dozens not directly, whereas Hurricane Irma triggered seven direct and 80 oblique deaths, based on the Nationwide Hurricane Middle.

Hurricane Andrew, 1992

The Class 5 hurricane struck South Miami-Dade County with winds of 165 miles per hour (270 km per hour), inflicting an estimated $25 billion in damages within the state. Fifteen individuals have been killed as a direct impact of the storm, with dozens extra dying of oblique causes. Andrew ranked as the most costly storm in U.S. historical past till Hurricane Katrina raged by means of New Orleans in 2005.

Hurricane Charley, 2004

Charley was an unexpectedly highly effective hurricane, quickly growing right into a Class 4 storm simply earlier than making landfall at Cayo Costa, an island of Florida’s Gulf Coast. 9 individuals have been instantly killed by the storm and an estimated $6.8 billion was misplaced, based on the NHC.

Hurricane Wilma, 2005

The demise toll of Wilma was fortunately low — 5 individuals instantly — for a Class 4 storm. Even so, the invoice for the hurricane’s property injury was significantly excessive at an estimated $20.6 billion within the U.S. Wilma ravaged the southern a part of the state, producing wind gusts of greater than 100 mph (161 kph).

Hurricane Irma, 2017

Irma was distinctive for its in depth measurement and sluggish motion, which exacerbated the storm’s damaging winds and heavy rainfall. It left 6.5 million clients with out energy within the state and triggered an estimated $50 billion in property injury, making it one of many costliest hurricanes in U.S. historical past. Seven individuals died from the storm and 80 not directly, based on an NHC tally.

Hurricane Michael, 2018

Michael was the strongest hurricane on file to make landfall within the Florida Panhandle, based on the Nationwide Climate Service. Wind and storm surge triggered catastrophic injury, significantly within the Panama Metropolis Seashore and Mexico Seashore areas. Eight direct fatalities have been reported: seven in Florida and one in Georgia. As well as, 43 oblique deaths have been attributed to the storm.