RecordStorms.com

Hurricane Katrina, August 23-31, 2005, was a Category 5 storm that caused devastating loss of life and damage to the US Gulf Coast.
The storm killed an estimated 1,800 people. Physical damage from flooding and wind amounted to a record a record US$108 billion.  The majority of damage was due to widespread flooding of the city of New Orleans and surrounding communities. Storm surge caused additional extensive damage all along the Mississippi coast.

Most fatalities were in the area near New Orleans, Louisiana. Other deaths occurred in the Bahamas, Cuba, and along the Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Alicia, August 15-20, 1983, formed offshore of the Lousiana Coast and moved ashore over Galveston and Houston, Texas.

Sustained winds of 115mph caused massive damage to both cities, along with 21 fatalities.  Physical damages were estimated to be $1.7 billion.   Coastal areas reported tides in excess of 10 feet, with widespread rainfall amounts reported in the 6″ to 10″ range.

The damage & deaths from Alicia caused a wide re-evaluation of hurricane preparedness and evacuation routes.