hurricane katrina vs superstorm sandy

yeah I lost my phone for a bit was all. but......... OK to be "politically correct" Katrina was initially a category 5 that lowered to a category 3 but maintained the storm surge of a category 5. ALSO, according to an article by Kimberly Amadeo, US Economy Expert: "Hurricane Katrina was a Category 5 monster that did more damage than any other natural disaster in U.S history. It was a massive storm before it even made landfall. However, it did most of its damage after it hit land on August 29, 2005, after it was reclassified to a Category 3 hurricane. The actual cost of Hurricane Katrina's damage was between $96-$125 billion, with $40-$66 billion in insured losses. Half of these losses were a result of flooding in New Orleans. An estimated 300,000 homes were destroyed or otherwise made uninhabitable. At least 118 million cubic yards of utter debris and devastation was left behind, making clean up efforts a mind-boggling attempt. University of North Texas Profession Bernard Weinstein put the total economic loss from Katrina to be as high as $250 billion. (Source: Swiss Re, "Hurricane Katrina," January 25, 2007) That's because he takes into account not just the damage, but the impact for disrupted gas production and general effect on national economic growth. For example, in 2005, economic growth as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth went from 3.8% in the third quarter (July-September, when Katrina hit) to 1.3% in the fourth quarter. Hurricane Katrina affected 19% of U.S. oil production. Hurricanes Katrina destroyed 113 offshore oil and gas platforms, damaged 457 oil and gas pipelines, and spilled nearly as much oil as the Exxon Valdez oil disaster. This caused oil prices to increase by $3 a barrel, and gas prices to nearly reach $5 a gallon. It struck the heart of Louisiana's sugar industry, with an estimated $500 million annual crop value, according to the American Sugar Cane League. This area of Louisiana had 50 chemical plants, which produced 25% of the nation's chemicals. The nearby Mississippi coast was home to 12 casinos, which took in $1.3 billion annually. As important as these industries are, the main damage was done to the City of New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina caused $260 million in damage to the port, although it was open to ships. The city's tourism industry created $9.6 billion annually before Katrina, and has only recently returned to 2.6 million in 2006. Of more importance, but impossible to quantify, was the impact on people and animals. More people were displaced (770,000) than during the Dust Bowl migration during the Great Depression. About 1/10 of these (75,000 people) found out on their return that their homes had been destroyed. The Louisiana death toll was 1,836 people. Sadly, at least 68 were found in nursing homes, possibly abandoned by their caretakers. After the disaster, nearly 200 bodies were left unclaimed. Over 700 people were unaccounted for. The storm killed or made homeless 600,000 pets. (Source: HurricaneKatrinaRelief.com, Fox Facts ) Normally, hurricanes that hit the heavily populated East Coast cause the most damage. In 2012, Superstorm Sandy came ashore with 14-foot waves in Lower Manhattan, plunging the area into darkness and flooding the subway system. More than 8 million people along the Eastern Seaboard were out of power. The massive storm, although technically not a hurricane, dropped 2-3 feet of snow in West Virginia. Early estimates are that the storm will cost $20 billion in property damage." now not having power isn't that bad. at least you still have your home and your valued possessions. you don't have to leave, patty for a hotel, or burden family members. Also I'm just saying 100 billion in 2005 is way more now.