Hurricane Michael
One of the tropical cyclone disasters on NOAA’s billion-dollar list: $31 billion in losses at 2024 prices ($25 billion at the time) and 49 deaths.
What the offices filed during it
The 69 most significant tropical cyclone episodes filed in these dates, colored by kind.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Losses, 2024 dollars
- $31 billion
- Losses at the time
- $25 billion
- Deaths
- 49
The losses and deaths are NCEI’s, counting everything the disaster did. The episodes below are only what the Weather Service filed in its Storm Events record, which counts damage differently and often not at all, so the two never add up and are shown apart.
By state, as filed
| State | Events | Deaths | Injuries | Damage filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 44 | 52 | 0 | $11 billion |
| Georgia | 105 | 1 | 0 | $4.4 billion |
| Virginia | 200 | 5 | 0 | $18 million |
| North Carolina | 111 | 0 | 1 | $15 million |
| Alabama | 13 | 0 | 0 | $4.4 million |
| Iowa | 43 | 0 | 0 | $1.1 million |
| Oklahoma | 13 | 0 | 0 | $383,000 |
| Alaska | 1 | 0 | 0 | $300,000 |
| South Carolina | 45 | 0 | 1 | $120,000 |
| Kansas | 22 | 0 | 0 | $105,000 |
| California | 1 | 0 | 0 | $100,000 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 0 | 0 | $25,000 |
| Maryland | 38 | 0 | 0 | $20,000 |
| American Samoa | 1 | 0 | 0 | $10,000 |
| Arizona | 4 | 0 | 0 | $4,000 |
| Oregon | 1 | 0 | 0 | $3,000 |
| Arkansas | 2 | 0 | 0 | $1,000 |
| Michigan | 1 | 0 | 0 | $1,000 |
| South Dakota | 13 | 0 | 0 | |
| Hawaii | 6 | 0 | 0 | |
| Texas | 5 | 1 | 0 | |
| Louisiana | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Mississippi | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| New Jersey | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Puerto Rico | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Minnesota | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Illinois | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Missouri | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Episode by episode
- Tropical Storm and Storm Surge in Mississippi, October 8 to 10, 2018Hurricane Michael was first classified as a Potential Tropical Cyclone on October 6th in the northwest Caribbean Sea. It became a Tropical Storm at midday on the 7th, and a Hurricane on the morning of the 8th as it passed by the western tip of Cuba.
- Flash Flood and Flood in Texas, October 9 to 12, 2018A shortwave trough moved through a slow moving trough over the southwestern US and triggered thunderstorms over South Central Texas. Storms were fed by a warm, moist boundary layer and some reached severe strength and produced locally heavy rain.
- Flooding in Iowa, October 9 to 21, 2018Heavy rain continued into mid October with many rivers going into flood again across much of the forecast area. Flooding was observed in the Des Moines, Iowa, Cedar, Chariton, Thompson and Raccoon River basins.
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in Kansas, October 9 to 10, 2018A strong low pressure area moved out of the southern plains and moved northeast across the central portions of Kansas. Abundant moisture moved north and wrapped into the low pressure area. Widespread showers and embedded thunderstorms developed across Kansas.
- Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Oklahoma, October 9, 2018A narrow line of thunderstorms formed during the morning of the 9th along a fast-moving pre-frontal trough, producing numerous brief tornadoes along with a few wind and flood reports.
- Tropical Storm and Storm Surge in Florida, October 9 to 11, 2018Major Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, FL around 1 PM CDT on October 10, 2018 with estimated maximum winds on 155 mph. Michael then tracked northeast in southern Georgia by that evening.
- Tornado and Damaging Wind in Florida, October 9 to 10, 2018Hurricane Michael tracked toward the FL Panhandle coast October 9th and made landfall near Mexico Beach as a very strong Cat. 4, perhaps Cat. 5 upon further research.
- Tropical Storm in Georgia, October 9 to 11, 2018Hurricane Michael tracked toward the FL Panhandle coast October 9th and made landfall near Mexico Beach as a very strong Cat. 4, perhaps Cat. 5 upon further research.
- Flood in Oregon, October 9, 2018Moist upslope flow into the Blue Mountains produced heavy rain with rainfall rates of up to one inch per hour and storm total accumulations between one and three inches. Localized flooding was reported near the town of Heppner where water inside a residence forced an evacuation.
- Flood in Puerto Rico, October 9, 2018Residual moisture from a tropical wave combined with diurnal heating and local effects to result in the development of showers and thunderstorms across northwest PR.
- Tornadoes in Iowa, October 9, 2018A relatively stationary frontal boundary remained over Iowa on the 9th, a day after the same boundary produced a couple of tornadoes, strong storms, and heavy rainfall. In similar fashion, the environment was conducive for rotating storms.
- Tornadoes in Arkansas, October 9, 2018A large storm system exited the Rockies early on the 9th, with showers and thunderstorms developing afternoon on the 9th as this storm system approached Arkansas.
- Tornado in Iowa, October 9, 2018Clusters of strong storms moved over portions of eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois during the afternoon. A brief tornado occurred in Benton County with one of these storms. No damage was observed with this tornado.
- Flood and Strong Wind in Wisconsin, October 9 to 10, 2018An autumn storm hit the Northland and brought strong winds, driving rain and some snow. The hardest hit area was the western end of Lake Superior, where winds gusting over 60 mph caused tremendous waves to crash on to shore.
- Storm Surge in Louisiana, October 9 to 10, 2018Hurricane Michael was first classified as a Potential Tropical Cyclone on October 6th in the northwest Caribbean Sea. It became a Tropical Storm at midday on the 7th, and a Hurricane on the morning of the 8th as it passed by the western tip of Cuba.
- Flood in Oklahoma, October 9 to 15, 2018Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms moved across northeastern Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas from October 2nd through the 9th. Four to eight inches of rain fell across the region during this period.
- Flooding in Iowa, October 9 to 21, 2018Two disturbances sliding across the Northern Plains resulted in fairly widespread moderate rainfall from October 9-11. Another episode of minor to moderate flooding ensued with rain totaling from 1.50 to 2.00 inches throughout the basin on saturated soils.
- Flooding in Minnesota, October 10 to 14, 2018Two disturbances sliding across the Northern Plains resulted in fairly widespread moderate rainfall from October 9-11. Another episode of minor to moderate flooding ensued with rain totaling from 1.50 to 2.00 inches throughout the basin on saturated soils.
- Flood in South Dakota, October 10 to 14, 2018Two disturbances sliding across the Northern Plains resulted in fairly widespread moderate rainfall from October 9-11. Another episode of minor to moderate flooding ensued with rain totaling from 1.50 to 2.00 inches throughout the basin on saturated soils.
- Hurricane and Tropical Storm in Florida, October 10, 2018Hurricane Michael started as typical weak October Caribbean tropical system. However, after approximately a week of slow development, the system moved into warm Gulf of Mexico waters and rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it moved north towards the Florida Panhandle.
- Flash Flooding and Heavy Rain in North Carolina, October 10 to 11, 2018Michael was preceded by a so-called Predecessor Event (PRE) which brought moderate to heavy rainfall across several counties through early on the 11th of October.
- Flash Flooding and Flood in Virginia, October 10 to 11, 2018The remains of Hurricane Michael were preceded in parts of western Virginia by a so-called Predecessor Event (PRE) which brought moderate to heavy rainfall across several counties early on the 11th of October.
- Flash Flood in American Samoa, October 10, 2018Synoptic: An active trough moving across the islands.
- Flash Flood in Illinois, October 10, 2018A slow moving band of heavy rain fell along the Mississippi River during the early morning. 1 to 2.5 inches inches of rain fell on saturated soils, resulting in both flash flooding and increasing river flooding.
- Hurricane and Tropical Storm in Georgia, October 10, 2018Hurricane Michael started as typical weak October Caribbean tropical system. However, after approximately a week of slow development, the system moved into warm Gulf of Mexico waters and rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it moved north towards the Florida Panhandle.
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in North Carolina, October 10 to 13, 2018As the direct storm circulation from Michael approached in the early morning hours of October 11, rainfall and strong winds began first in Watauga County in northwest NC, and progressed north and east through the day.
- Hurricane and Tropical Storm in Alabama, October 10, 2018Hurricane Michael started as typical weak October Caribbean tropical system. However, after approximately a week of slow development, the system moved into warm Gulf of Mexico waters and rapidly intensified into a major hurricane as it moved north towards the Florida Panhandle.
- Flash Flood in Iowa, October 10, 2018A slow moving band of heavy rain fell along the Mississippi River during the early morning. 1 to 2.5 inches inches of rain fell on saturated soils, resulting in both flash flooding and increasing river flooding.
- Tropical Storm in Georgia, October 10 to 11, 2018Michael first developed into a tropical depression early on October, 7th approximately 90 miles east of Chetumal, Mexico before gradually strengthening to a tropical storm by the afternoon while tracking north off the Yucatan Peninsula coast.
- Flooding in South Dakota, October 10 to 21, 2018Two disturbances sliding across the Northern Plains resulted in fairly widespread moderate rainfall from October 9-11. Another episode of minor to moderate flooding ensued with rain totaling from 1.50 to 2.00 inches throughout the basin on saturated soils.
- Flooding in Iowa, October 10 to 21, 2018Two disturbances sliding across the Northern Plains resulted in fairly widespread moderate rainfall from October 9-11. Another episode of minor to moderate flooding ensued with rain totaling from 1.50 to 2.00 inches throughout the basin on saturated soils.
- Tropical Storm and Storm Surge in Alabama, October 10, 2018Major Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, FL around 1 PM CDT on October 10, 2018 with estimated maximum winds on 155 mph. Michael then tracked northeast in southern Georgia by that evening.
- Hurricane and Tornadoes in Georgia, October 10 to 11, 2018Hurricane Michael made landfall along the Florida panhandle at Mexico beach (just southeast of Panama City) on the afternoon of October 10, 2018 as a high-end Category 4 hurricane (max winds of 155 MPH).
- Tornado and Storm Surge in Florida, October 10, 2018Hurricane Michael developed as a tropical depression in the western Caribbean on October 7th and strengthened into a major hurricane as it moved north through the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall near Mexico Beach on October 10th.
- Flood in Puerto Rico, October 10, 2018The available moisture combined with the diurnal heating and local effects to result in the development of showers and thunderstorms across interior, western, and southwest PR.
- Flood in Michigan, October 10, 2018Heavy rain of more than two inches caused flooding on Rock River Road north of Chatham on the afternoon of the 10th.
- Tropical Storm in Alabama, October 10, 2018The center of Tropical Cyclone Michael come ashore as a high end category four hurricane just east of Panama City, Florida, during the early afternoon on Wednesday, October 10th.
- Flood in Iowa, October 10 to 12, 2018Two disturbances sliding across the Northern Plains resulted in fairly widespread moderate rainfall from October 9-11. Another episode of minor to moderate flooding ensued with rain totaling from 1.50 to 2.00 inches throughout the basin on saturated soils.
- Tropical Storm and Flash Flood in Georgia, October 10 to 11, 2018An area of disturbed weather over the NW Caribbean Sea organized and became Tropical Depression #14 early on Sunday October 7th.
- Tornadoes and Tropical Storm in South Carolina, October 10 to 11, 2018An area of disturbed weather over the NW Caribbean Sea organized and became Tropical Depression #14 early on Sunday October 7th.
- Tropical Storm and Storm Surge in South Carolina, October 10 to 11, 2018Michael first developed into a tropical depression early on October, 7th approximately 90 miles east of Chetumal, Mexico before gradually strengthening to a tropical storm by the afternoon while tracking north off the Yucatan Peninsula coast.
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in Virginia, October 11 to 15, 2018Hurricane Michael made landfall along the Florida panhandle as major hurricane (Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale) on Wednesday afternoon, October 10th, 2018, then tracked northeastward with the northern portion of the storm circulation tracking across portions of…
- Flooding in South Dakota, October 11 to 12, 2018Two disturbances pushed across the area during October 9-11, resulting in widespread moderate rainfall.
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in North Carolina, October 11 to 12, 2018Tropical cyclone Michael tracked northeast across the Midlands and Piedmont of South Carolina and through the North Carolina Piedmont on the 11th.
- Tropical Storm in South Carolina, October 11, 2018Tropical cyclone Michael gradually weakened as it tracked from the South Carolina Midlands through portions of the South Carolina and North Carolina Piedmont throughout the 11th.
- Tropical Storm and Flash Flooding in North Carolina, October 11 to 12, 2018Tropical Storm Michael moved through North Carolina on Thursday, October 11th. Michael brought heavy rain and strong damaging winds to central North Carolina.
- Tropical Storm in South Carolina, October 11, 2018Hurricane Michael made landfall at Mexico Beach in the Florida Panhandle on Oct 10th as a strong Category 4. It weakened to Tropical Storm status as it made its way into the Carolinas. Most of the region received one to two inches of rainfall, with gusts to 50 mph.
- Tropical Storm in North Carolina, October 11, 2018Hurricane Michael made landfall at Mexico Beach in the Florida Panhandle on Oct 10th as a strong Category 4. It weakened to Tropical Storm status as it made its way into the Carolinas. Most of the region received one to two inches of rainfall, with gusts to 50 mph.
- Flood in South Carolina, October 11, 2018Tropical cyclone Michael tracked northeast across the South Carolina Midlands and Piedmont of South Carolina on the 11th. Three to six inches of rain falling in around 6 hours resulted in localized flooding, mainly across the foothills.
- Tropical Storm in North Carolina, October 11, 2018Tropical cyclone Michael gradually weakened as it tracked from the South Carolina Midlands through portions of the South Carolina and North Carolina Piedmont throughout the 11th.
- Tropical Storm in North Carolina, October 11 to 12, 2018Hurricane Michael was the third-most intense hurricane to make landfall in the United States, behind only the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and Hurricane Camille in 1969.
- Heavy Rain in Virginia, October 11 to 12, 2018Tropical Cyclone Michael tracked from South Carolina northeast and off the Mid Atlantic Coast from Thursday morning, October 11 into early Friday morning, October 12.
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in Virginia, October 11 to 12, 2018After Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph and a minimum central pressure of 919 mb on Wednesday October 10th, it weakened to a tropical storm as it tracked northeastward through Georgia and South Carolina.
- Flash Flooding in Virginia, October 11 to 12, 2018Tropical Cyclone Michael tracked from South Carolina northeast and off the Mid Atlantic Coast from Thursday morning, October 11 into early Friday morning, October 12.
- Flash Flood in Arizona, October 11, 2018A trough of low pressure developing over California brought increasing moisture, showers, and thunderstorms over far northern Arizona and southern Utah.
- Tornadoes in Virginia, October 11, 2018Tropical Cyclone Michael tracked from South Carolina northeast and off the Mid Atlantic Coast from Thursday morning, October 11 into early Friday morning, October 12.
- Flash Flooding and Flood in Arizona, October 11 to 12, 2018A low pressure system moving in from the southern California coast tapped into subtropical moisture, fueling thunderstorms over the Mojave Desert. A few storms produced flash flooding.
- Flooding and High Wind in Maryland, October 11 to 12, 2018After Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph and minimum central pressure of 919 mb on Wednesday October 10th, it weakened to a tropical storm as it tracked northeastward through Georgia and South Carolina.
- Heavy Rain in Maryland, October 11 to 12, 2018Tropical Cyclone Michael tracked from South Carolina northeast and off the Mid Atlantic Coast from Thursday morning, October 11 into early Friday morning, October 12. The Tropical Cyclone produced heavy rain across much of the Lower Maryland Eastern Shore.
- Flood in Missouri, October 11 to 27, 2018Heavy rain in the upper Mississippi River basin caused a rise in the river level about mid-month. Minor flooding was observed in some places.
- Flooding in Virginia, October 11 to 12, 2018Tropical Cyclone Michael tracked from South Carolina northeast and off the Mid Atlantic Coast from Thursday morning, October 11 into early Friday morning, October 12.
- Flash Flooding in Maryland, October 11 to 12, 2018Tropical Cyclone Michael tracked from South Carolina northeast and off the Mid Atlantic Coast from Thursday morning, October 11 into early Friday morning, October 12.
- Flash Flooding in New Jersey, October 11 to 12, 2018Rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches fell in parts of northeastern Maryland, Delaware, and southern and central New Jersey on the night of October 11. There were a few reports of rainfall amounts in excess of 5 inches.
- Flash Flooding in Maryland, October 12, 2018Rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches fell in parts of northeastern Maryland, Delaware, and southern and central New Jersey on the night of October 11. There were a few reports of rainfall amounts in excess of 5 inches.
- Flooding in South Dakota, October 12 to 25, 2018High releases continued from upstream dams along the Missouri River and kept much of the stretch between Fort Randall Dam and Gavins Point Dam in minor flood stage at times during October.
- Flood in Alaska, October 12 to 16, 2018Between October 12th and October 16th, 2018, an unusually wet weather pattern set up across Seward and the Kenai Peninsula, leading to flooding and erosion in the Seward area, with high water occurring on rivers elsewhere on the Peninsula.
- Flooding in Maryland, October 12, 2018Tropical Cyclone Michael tracked from South Carolina northeast and off the Mid Atlantic Coast from Thursday morning, October 11 into early Friday morning, October 12.
- Flash Flood in California, October 12, 2018Moisture from Tropical Storm Sergio made its way into Southern California on October 12th and 13th, bringing heavy rain to the region.
- Flash Flood and Heavy Rain in Hawaii, October 12, 2018An eastward-moving trough developing near Kauai caused showers and isolated thunderstorms to form over parts of the Aloha State, with Oahu seeing the heaviest downpours producing flash flooding.
More
Every billion-dollar disasterEvery storm of 2018The 2018 hurricane seasonTornadoes in 2018
Sources
NOAA NCEI, U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2025), https://doi.org/10.25921/stkw-7w73, and the Storm Events Database for the episodes.