Will hurricane Earl rate in Top 10 most expensive hurricanes?

- Elizabeth Fuller, Contributor

A sailboat lies in the street of Charleston on Sept. 22, 1989, after Hurricane Hugo swept it ashore. (Lou Krasky / AP / File)

8. Hugo (1989) – $12.3 billion

Hurricane Hugo hit South Carolina with Category 4 winds (up to 160 mph). After the initial blow, it spun down into a tropical storm that pushed through North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and then across Canada and back out to sea. The storm lasted 14 days and claimed 56 lives.