Hurricane Debby caused an estimated $28 billion in damage and economic losses across the U.S., with heightened impacts on property, infrastructure, and the tourism industry, particularly in Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Debby caused $28 billion in damage and economic losses across the United States, according to an AccuWeather preliminary estimate published on Friday.

The $28 billion estimate encompasses both direct damage—such as property destruction and infrastructure losses—and indirect economic impacts, including disruptions to the tourism industry during its peak season, supply chain interruptions, and lost wages. The storm’s slow pace exacerbated its impact, the meteorology group noted, leading to prolonged business closures and widespread travel disruptions, including the cancellation of thousands of flights.

Storm surge, flash flooding and tornadoes have damaged homes, businesses and schools, and in some cases, the damage is severe. Travel disruptions and beach erosion have resulted in significant economic losses for the tourism industry in coastal areas during a very busy part of the summer vacation season,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter. “Thousands of flights were canceled, local curfews were ordered and many businesses were forced to close or reduce services to keep employees and customers safe, sometimes for multiple consecutive days

In Florida, the Gulf Coast bore the brunt of the storm surge, with major population centers like Fort Myers and Tampa experiencing severe flooding. In Lee County, the surge reached 3.25 feet above the average high tide, inundating homes and businesses.

As Debby moved inland, it unleashed torrential rains, particularly in northern Florida, and continued to cause flooding and destruction as it advanced through the Carolinas, Virginia, and parts of the Northeast. Some regions reported more than a foot of rainfall in less than 48 hours, leading to widespread flooding and loss of life.

AccuWeather’s estimate accounted for damage to property, infrastructure, and vehicles, as well as significant job and wage losses, and crop damage, as well as costs associated with evacuations, emergency response, and cleanup efforts.

For comparison, AccuWeather cited previous storms: Hurricane Beryl, which struck Texas last month, inflicted $28 to $32 billion in damages, while last year’s Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region, resulted in $18 to $20 billion in losses. In 2022, Hurricane Ian, one of the most devastating storms in recent history, caused between $180 and $210 billion in damages.

“This hurricane season poses a major economic threat to the U.S. this year,” said Porter. “Debby is the second billion-dollar storm to hit the United States this hurricane season.”