Mounting Costs

Cost predictions for federal disaster relief and insurance claims related to Hurricane Katrina outstrip those of other major natural disasters in the United States.

Event Federal Disaster Relief Insured Claims Total Damage
1989
Hurricane Hugo
$1.3 billion $4.2 billion $9.0 billion
1992
Hurricane Andrew
$12.5 billion $15.5 billion $27.0 billion
1993
Mississippi Flooding
$4.4 billion $0.3 billion $21.0 billion
1994
Los Angeles Earthquake
$8.4 billion $12.5 billion $20+ billion
2004
Hurricanes Charley, Francis, Ivan and Jeanne
$13.5 billion $24.5 billion $41.5 billion
2005
Hurricane Katrina (Estimate)
$62.3 billion $15 billion
to $60 billion
$100 billion
to $200 billion

Source: Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and MSNBC.com

NEXT STORY: On the Spot