How Hurricane Idalia Compares to Last 25 Most Destructive Named Storms to Hit Gulf Coast

Hurricane Barry caused significant rainfall-induced flooding in Louisiana, particularly in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The storm led to widespread power outages and the destruction or damage of over 50,000 buildings along the Gulf Coast and Arkansas, with total damages over $600 million.

The first Category 5 storm to make landfall in the U.S. since Andrew in 1992, Michael caused catastrophic damage in the Florida Panhandle, particularly Mexico Beach and Panama City, which bore the brunt with thousands of obliterated homes and businesses. Michael caused 59 deaths in the U.S. and an estimated $18 billion in damages in Florida.

Tropical Storm Gordon hit Florida and Alabama with heavy rainfall and sustained winds of 70 mph, causing flash flooding and power outages. Significant damage was observed in Dauphin Island, Alabama, and Shell Beach, Mississippi.

One of the earliest tropical storms to develop in the Gulf in recorded history, Tropical Storm Alberto hit the panhandle in late May, causing flooding across Florida and central Alabama before moving on to North Carolina, where landslides triggered by Alberto’s rainfall led to multiple fatalities.

Hurricane Nate ravaged Costa Rica before making landfall in the United States, notably affecting towns along the Gulf Coast. Biloxi, Mississippi, was hit particularly hard, with storm surge flooding downtown streets, while Alabama’s Dauphin Island experienced extensive beach erosion.