Most Expensive Natural Disasters

Most Expensive, Travel

It is unimaginable the devastation families have to face after the natural disaster has shook their region, not only do a lot of families loose their homes and all of their belongings, some also have to face the unbearable news that they have lost a loved one. All across the globe natural disaster cost billions of dollars and here is a list of the top five most costliest natural disasters.

1. Japan earthquake and tsunami (2011)

Cost: $235 billion (by the World Bank)

Not only was the 9.0-magnitude Japan earthquake and tsunami the costliest, but it was also one of the deadliest. The number of confirmed death is 8,649 and 13,262 people confirmed missing. The earthquake hit Japan in March 11, 2011, followed by massive waves destroying anything in their path. The earthquake and tsunami also crippled part of Japan’s economy, halting production of many of Japan’s companies. But one of the major worries after the disaster was the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant which worried officials of a massive nuclear explosion exposing many of its residents to deadly portions of radiation.

2. Hurricane Katrina, U.S. (2005)

Cost: $125 billion total damage cost (by NOAA)

Hurricane Katrina is by far the costliest natural disaster to ever hit the United States with and estimate $125 billion worth of damages, having the biggest impact on Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. An estimate of 1,836 people died in the hurricane and in the floods. A lot of cities were flooding for week, preventing anyone from returning to their homes. Hurricane Katrina also brought a lot of criticisms on how the government handled the aftermath of the disaster. New Orleans was the specific region where a lot of activists, journalists, and some political figures, criticized local, state and federal governments for not reacting and taking care of the people who were stranded and could not go anywhere due to the major flooding. To this say, Hurricane Katrina remains the most costliest natural disaster in the U.S.

3. Kobe earthquake, Japan (1995)

Cost: $100 billion (by the World Bank)

The 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit the southern part of Hyogo Prefecture, Japan on January 17, 1995. The number of deaths reported were 6,500 people, which made it the deadliest natural disaster of that year. Although the destruction crippled the area of Japan in which the earthquake hit for some time, it was able to get back well on it feet within a year.

4. Northridge earthquake, U.S. (1994)

Cost: $42 billion (by NOAA)

One of U.S. costliest natural disasters, the Northridge earthquake occurred in the city of Northridge in the San Fernando Valley, a northern neighborhood of Los Angeles and registered at 6.7 on the Richter scale and lasted about 10-20 seconds. With an estimated $42 billion in damages, it is the costliest earthquake to ever hit the U.S. The earthquake claimed the lives of sixty people and injured more than 5,500 people. The destruction was so massive that it caused freeways to collapse, buildings all across the city collapsed and more than 25,000 people were left homeless.

5. Sichuan earthquake, China (2008)


Cost: $29 billion (by the World Bank)

One of China’s costliest and deadliest natural disaster cost an estimate of $29 billion and claimed the lives of 70,000 people and left more than 18,000 missing. The 8.0 magnitude earthquake happen on May 12, 2008 at 50 mils west-northwest of Chengdu which is the capital of Sichuan providence.