Katrina to Erin: The most extreme hurricanes in history

Hurricanes are among the most powerful and destructive forces of nature, and their impact on people and places can be devastating. Over the years, some hurricanes have broken records for their intensity, speed, and the damage they caused. This article explores some of the most extreme hurricanes in history, from the deadly Great Hurricane of 1780 to the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina, and looks at how these storms have shaped communities and changed lives.

Hurricane Katrina is one of the most infamous storms in recent history. In August 2005, Katrina struck southeast Louisiana, especially the city of New Orleans. The hurricane brought massive flooding, leaving most of the city underwater. People lost their homes, and many were left without power, food, or shelter. One resident described the chaos, saying, 'My city, New Orleans, has fallen into utter chaos. My life in New Orleans is over for the time being – I have to start over completely. ' Katrina is remembered as one of the worst disasters to hit the United States, with thousands of homes destroyed and entire neighborhoods wiped out. The storm surge reached record heights, and the damage was so severe that it cost over $200 billion to repair, making Katrina the costliest hurricane in history.

But Katrina is not the only hurricane to leave a mark on history. The Great Hurricane of 1780 is the deadliest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded. It hit the Caribbean islands of Barbados, Martinique, Saint Lucia, and others with winds likely over 200 miles per hour. The storm was so loud that people could not hear their own voices, and it destroyed villages and sank many ships. Thousands of people died, and the islands were left devastated. Another deadly storm was the Galveston hurricane of 1900, which struck Texas and killed between 6,000 and 12,000 people. Survivors described the horror of finding dead bodies everywhere, and the city was left in ruins.

Hurricanes are not limited to the Atlantic. In 1970, the Bhola Cyclone hit Bangladesh and India, bringing a massive storm surge and killing up to 500,000 people. The cyclone destroyed homes and made life extremely difficult for survivors.

When measuring the destruction caused by hurricanes, it is not just about the number of lives lost but also the amount of property damaged. Katrina stands out for the sheer scale of destruction, with tens of thousands of homes destroyed or left uninhabitable. Another destructive hurricane was Mitch in 1998, which hit Central America. Mitch was a category five hurricane when it struck Honduras, causing floods and landslides that wiped out entire villages. Thousands of people died, and the country's president said the storm set Honduras's economic development back by 50 years.

Some hurricanes are known for their incredible wind speeds. Hurricane Patricia in 2015 reached sustained winds of 221 miles per hour, the highest ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere. Patricia caused widespread damage but did not kill many people because it missed large cities and weakened quickly after making landfall.

Rapid intensification is another dangerous feature of hurricanes. This happens when a storm's winds increase by at least 35 miles per hour in just 24 hours. Hurricane Erin in 2025 became one of the most rapidly intensifying hurricanes on record, growing stronger very quickly and giving people little time to prepare. Scientists have noticed that hurricanes are intensifying faster in recent years, a trend linked to warmer sea surfaces caused by climate change.

Hurricanes are unpredictable and can change lives in an instant. As climate change continues to warm the oceans, scientists expect hurricanes to become even more intense. Learning about these storms and being prepared is important for everyone living in hurricane-prone areas. For more information on hurricanes and climate news, you can follow updates from the BBC.