Global Warming: The Culprit?

Monday, Sep. 26, 2005 By JEFFREY KLUGER
RISING STORM: Galveston, Texas, emptied out as Rita closed in, leaving a solitary cyclist to brave a lonely pier
RICK WILKING / REUTERS
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(6 of 6)
West Pacific 85 116

Indian 24 50

East Pacific 36 49

North Atlantic 16 25

1975-89 1990-2004

 

... and causing a lot more damage

10 COSTLIEST U.S. HURRICANES, 1906-2005 (in billions, 2004 dollars)

Katrina '05 $63*

Andrew '92 $43.7

Charley '04 15.0

Ivan '04 14.2

Hugo '89 12.3

Agnes '72 11.3

Betsy '65 10.8

Frances '04 8.9

Camille '69 8.9

Diane '55 7.0

*Experts think the figure could reach $200 billion

How much is global warming to blame?

Since ocean heat gives hurricanes their power, it's reasonable to conclude that global warming is at least indirectly responsible for the increase in powerful storms--but skeptics do remain

[This article contains a map and a chart. Please see hard copy or pdf.]

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

TIME Graphic

 

With reporting by Reported by Mike Billips/Atlanta, Rita Healy/Denver, Kristin Kloberdanz/Chicago, Terry McCarthy/Los Angeles, Siobhan Morrissey/Miami