Hurricane Helene and Milton's Damage Cost

The damage from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina during 2024 has been catastrophic. The western part of the state, particularly around Asheville, saw record rainfall, with some areas receiving over 30 inches of rain. This led to unprecedented flooding, turning what was once considered a “climate haven” into a disaster zone. The French Broad River crested more than 10 feet above its previous record, causing massive destruction.

The economic toll is estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars, with early insurance industry estimates pointing to damages of at least

$35 billion.

This figure includes not only flood damage but also infrastructure collapse, landslides, and power outages that affected over 700,000 people. The death toll has exceeded 230, and the numbers are expected to rise as more remote areas are accessed by rescue teams
The estimated damage costs from hurricanes that hit Florida in 2024, particularly Hurricanes Helene and Milton, are substantial. Preliminary assessments suggest that the combined damages from these hurricanes could exceed

$200 billion

. Hurricane Helene alone, which made landfall in late September as a Category 4 storm, caused between $30.5 billion and $47.5 billion in wind and flood damage.

Hurricane Milton, expected to bring further destruction, has a projected loss of up to $175 billion if it hits highly populated areas like Tampa Bay. Milton’s impacts are anticipated to severely affect the insurance market and property owners across the state, with risks of significant flooding and wind dama

in the light…