When Tragedy Hits Home

10 Of the World’s Biggest Disasters

Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001In the worst attack on U.S. soil in more than 60 years, planes crash into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington. A fourth plane crashes in a field in Pennsylvania.

Deaths: 2,996 lives lost, including 19 hijackers. 2,606 die in New York City, 125 at the Pentagon.

Cost: $55 billion in physical damage, $123 billion economic impact.

Aftermath: Led to global war on terror that continues

SARS Outbreak in Southern ChinaNov. 2002 – July 2003

An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome hits China and spreads to 16 other countries.

The deadly viral disease has a fatality rate of nearly 10%.

Deaths: 775 deaths, including 349 in China and 299 in Hong Kong.

Cost: Estimated $40 billion impact on the world economy [National Institutes of Health]

Aftermath: China was forced to become more open in its reporting of major medical cases.

Northeast Blackout August 2003

A cascading power outage caused by a software malfunction impacts 45 million people in the United States and 10 million Canada. It is the second-largest blackout in U.S. history.

Deaths: Contributed to 11 deaths.

Cost: Estimates range from $4.5 billion to $8 billion, much of it in the form of lost wages.

Aftermath: Led to broad discussions about the need to protect critical infrastructure.

Indian Ocean Earthquake and TsunamiDec. 26, 2004

One of the largest undersea earthquakes on record triggers a massive tsunami that devastates portions of Indonesia, Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Deaths: 174,236 lives lost, including 166,708 in Aceh province, Indonesia.

Cost: $6.5 billion in losses from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar.

Aftermath: Rebuilding continues, and there are unknown long-term environmental impacts.

Hurricane Katrina Aug. 29, 2005

A Category 5 hurricane makes a direct hit on the Gulf Coast, overwhelming levees in New Orleans and causing widespread flooding.

Deaths: 1,833 killed.

Cost: $125 billion, including $108 billion in property damage. It is the mostly costly hurricane in U.S. history.

Aftermath: Many residents were permanently displaced. The disaster led to criticism of the federal and local response, and a review of the New Orleans levee system.

Tohoku, Japan Earthquake and Tsunami March 11, 2011

A major earthquake leads to a tsunami that batters Japan’s east coast.

The Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant is damaged, resulting in a meltdown of three reactors. It is the second-worst nuclear power plant disaster in history.

Deaths: 19,846 deaths

Cost: $210 billion. Estimated to be the costliest natural disaster in history.

Aftermath: Long-term health effects to those exposed to radiation remain unknown. Disaster renewed discussion of the safety of nuclear power.

Joplin, Missouri TornadoMay 22 2011

Powerful EF5 tornado cuts through a quiet midwestern town with winds of more than 200 miles per hour.

Deaths: 176 killed

Cost: $14 billion. Estimated to be the costliest single tornado in history.

Aftermath: It remains one of the most devastating tornadoes in history, but has been followed by others with similar force, including one that killed 24 people in Moore, OK in 2013.

Deepwater Horizon Explosion and Oil Spill

On April 20, 2010, the BP-operated oil rig Deepwater Horizon sank in the Gulf of Mexico following a large explosion.Eleven workers died and the accident led to the largest marine oil spill in history. About 210 million gallons of oil reportedly leaked into the Gulf.

Deaths: 11 deaths

Cost: $2.5 billion impact to the fishing industry, $23 billion impact on tourism. [NOAA]

BP has lost tens of billions of dollars, including more than $40 billion in settlements and payments to those affected.

Aftermath: The environmental impact of the disaster is still being examined. The accident renewed a debate about offshore drilling.

‘Superstorm’ SandyOct. 22-31, 2012

Sandy hits the northeast United States as a Category 1 hurricane and slams the New Jersey coast and impacting more than two dozen states.

The Jersey shore and Staten Island are particularly hard hit with severe property damage and extended power outages.

Deaths: 148 direct deaths

Cost: $65 billion [NOAA]

Aftermath: Thousands of people left displaced by the storm in New Jersey and New York remain in need of help.

Typhoon Haiyan, PhilippinesNov. 8, 2013

One of the most powerful tropical cyclones on record devastates the Philippines with sustained winds of more than 200 miles per hour. Nearly 2 million people are left homeless. The storm leads to a massive international humanitarian response.

Deaths: More than 6,200 deaths with hundreds still missing.

Cost: $1.5 billion

Aftermath: Bodies are still being recovered and officials are still assessing widespread environmental damage.