The 2024 hurricane season was one of the most destructive in U.S. history, causing an estimated $500 billion in damage to property, the economy and personal health.
Flood and wind damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton alone was so extensive it could affect U.S. economic performance for late 2024 and early 2025, according to AccuWeather, the weather forecasting company.
“The shock to the economy of the losses may be so significant that it will wipe away some or all of the growth that economists were predicting,” said AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter. “There are going to be many job losses.”
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The $500 billion in damage represents nearly 2 percent of U.S. gross domestic product. The 2024 hurricane season officially ended Saturday.
