AccuWeather has increased its estimate of the total damage and economic loss from Hurricane Helene to $145 billion to $160 billion.
This update represents an increase from AccuWeather’s preliminary estimate late last week of total damage and economic loss of $95 billion to $110 billion. That estimate was issued while the storm’s most significant impacts were occurring.
The increase reflects the additional damage reports received over the past 48 hours. It makes Hurricane Helene one of the costliest storms in United States history because of the devastating storm surge, damaging winds and historic flooding.
In particular, the catastrophic flooding disaster in the southern Appalachians, including Asheville, North Carolina, and surrounding areas, and the widespread storm surge impacts along the populated west coast of Florida, such as Tampa Bay, are significant contributing factors to the estimate.