The 15 most destructive hurricanes in US history

With $71.4 billion in damage, Hurricane Sandy was the second costliest hurricane in US history. The Category 1 storm pummeled New York City, flooding the city's transportation systems and leaving thousands of homes destroyed.

The third costliest storm in US history, with $29.5 billion in damage, occurred in September 2008. Starting off the west coast of Africa, Hurricane Ike made its way over the Caribbean and into the Gulf, making US landfall in Texas as a Category 2 storm.

About 25 years ago, the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew ripped through Florida, leaving millions without power and neighborhoods completely destroyed. The response was so problematic that it led to major changes within the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to USA Today.

Hurricane Wilma, which broke records as the most intense hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean at the time, had the lowest central pressure of any hurricane. The Category 3 storm was especially damaging to Mexico, Cuba, and Florida.

Hurricane Irene made landfall in the US in North Carolina as a Category 1 storm. The storm eventually made its way to New York City, bringing flooding and causing $7.3 billion in damage overall. The image above shows the aftermath of Irene's catastrophic visit to Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 storm, hit southern Florida in August 2004. Because it changed direction after it was anticipated to hit the Tampa area, it was quite destructive, causing $15.1 billion of damage.

Just a few weeks after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana, Hurricane Rita formed. The storm brought heavy rainfall to the state again, and hit Texas as well, causing $12 billion in damages. It's often referred to as the "forgotten storm" of the horrific 2005 season.

Making its way west across the Atlantic, Hurricane Frances made landfall in Florida. It led President George W. Bush to declare Florida, and parts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina disaster areas. In all, the storm caused about $9.5 billion worth of damage.

While not an official hurricane, Allison clocks in as the costliest and deadliest tropical storm in US history, causing 41 deaths and costing more than $9 billion in damage. The storm started over the Gulf of Mexico near Texas, then traveled east, causing floods like the one in Houston, Texas pictured above.

Hurricane Jeanne, which made landfall in Florida, had devastating effects in Haiti. The storm was responsible for more than 1,000 deaths, and overall caused about $7.6 billion in damage.

Hurricane Hugo made landfall as a Category 4 storm in South Carolina. It caused 21 deaths in the US and resulted in $7.1 billion of damage. At the time, it was the costliest storm in US history.

Hurricane Floyd was a catastrophic storm because of the rain it brought. The downpours caused extreme flooding from North Carolina on up the East Coast as the Category 2 storm traveled north.

Hurricane Isabel, the costliest hurricane of the 2003 season, made landfall in North Carolina, impacting much of the Outer Banks. It caused $5.3 billion in damages.

In 1995, Hurricane Opal devastated the Florida panhandle before hitting Alabama and Tennessee. The storm caused $5.1 billion worth of damage.