AccuWeather raises total damage and economic loss estimate from Helene to between $225 billion and $250 billion

AccuWeather has raised its estimate of total damage and economic losses from Hurricane Helene in the US to between $225 billion and $250 billion.

The update takes into account newly verified information, including the loss of life, immediate and long-term health care costs for storm survivors and the first injured, widespread power outages, infrastructure reconstruction projects for utilities, highways, bridges and railroads, major business. and travel disruptions, as well as long-term losses for tourism, technology, renewable energy and other industries in the southern Appalachians and southeastern US, according to AccuWeather.

Related: Biden to deploy 1,000 troops to help North Carolina after Helene

Modeling and analysis firm Karen Clark & ​​Co. said Thursday that privately insured losses from Hurricane Helene will be about $6.4 billion from wind, storm surge and inland flooding in nine states.

Past disasters suggest that even 10 years after such a damaging storm, reconstruction and recovery efforts may still be underway in some places. Residents and businesses in the affected areas “will require considerable support and assistance in the coming years”, while the long-term impacts of the flooding could also contribute to health conditions due to exposure to mold, mildew, contaminated flood waters and other dangers, the report says. .

Related: Hurricane Helene Shuts Down Bird Crops, Damages Cotton Crops

AccuWeather’s estimate also includes projected costs to repair or rebuild infrastructure, including electrical substations and water treatment plants that were destroyed. The electricity grid in some places no longer exists.

The updated estimate also includes new reports of damage, loss and disruption from storm surge, flooding and wind damage in Florida and Georgia. There were also millions of dollars in agricultural losses including cotton, peanuts, pecans, tobacco and others from the storm.

AccuWeather has issued its first preliminary estimate for total damage and economic losses from the hurricane of $95 billion to $110 billion. AccuWeather later updated its estimate for total damage and economic losses from the storm to $145 billion to $160 billion.

Hurricane Helene was one of the most damaging storms in U.S. history, along with 2022’s Hurricane Ian it brought between $180 billion and $210 billion in total damage and economic losses. Hurricane Harvey caused $190 billion in total damage and economic losses.

This year’s major storms included losses of $28-32 billion from Hurricane Beryl and $28 billion from Hurricane Debby.

Top graphic: Source: AccuWeather.