Hurricane Ike In Rare Company

Hurricane Ike's damage estimates are finally coming in from the Gulf Coast. Estimated damage to property is nearly $31 billion (in 2008 US Dollars). $27 billion of the total came from the Gulf Coast of the US, with the other $4 billion coming in from Cuba where Ike made landfall as a category 4 hurricane. If the estimates are correct, Ike will become the third costliest hurricane in US history, behind only Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Andrew.

Hurricane Gustav, which made landfall earlier this season, caused $17.5 billion worth of property damage, making it the 6th costliest hurricane behind Katrina, Andrew, Wilma, Ike, and Ivan. Interestingly enough 5 of those 6 storms have come since 2004.

Note: I'll write an updated statistical article after the end of the season that will document all of the records that fell during the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season.