Hurricane Maria was an extremely powerful and catastrophic tropical cyclone that affected the northeastern Caribbean in September 2017, particularly in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, which accounted for 2,975 of the 3,059 deaths. It is the deadliest and costliest hurricane to strike the archipelago and island of Puerto Rico, and is the deadliest hurricane to strike the country of Dominica and the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The most intense tropical cyclone worldwide in 2017, Maria was the thirteenth named storm, eighth consecutive hurricane, fourth major hurricane, second Category 5 hurricane, and deadliest storm of the extremely active 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. With over 3,000 deaths and a minimum central pressure of 908 millibars (26.8 inHg), Maria was the twelfth most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, respectively. Total monetary losses are estimated at upwards of $91.61 billion, almost all of which came from Puerto Rico, ranking it as the fourth-costliest tropical cyclone on record.
Hurricane Maria makes landfall in Puerto Rico as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, resulting in 2,975 deaths, US$90 billion in damage, and a major humanitarian crisis.
On September 20, in the year 2017, Hurricane Maria makes landfall in Puerto Rico as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, resulting in 2,975 deaths, US$90 billion in damage, and a major humanitarian crisis. This event is recorded as a Historical Events event in the history of September 20, one of 434 recorded events on this date across all of history.
Key Facts
- This event took place on September 20, 2017 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Historical Events event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 2 Wikipedia articles.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 16 August 2026.
On This Date in History 434
This article draws on content from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More on September 20
Roughly four million people, mostly students, demonstrate across the world to address climate change. Sixteen-year-old…
The September 2019 climate strikes, also known as the Global Week for Future, were a series of international strikes and protests to demand action be taken to address climate chan…
Roughly four million people, mostly students, demonstrate across the world to address climate change. Sixteen-year-old…
At least 161 people die after a ferry capsizes close to the pier on Ukara Island in Lake Victoria, Tanzania.
MV Nyerere was a Tanzanian ferry that capsized on 20 September 2018 while travelling between the islands of Ukerewe and Ukara on Lake Victoria. The Tanzanian government have decla…
At least 161 people die after a ferry capsizes close to the pier on Ukara Island in Lake Victoria, Tanzania.
The United States military ends its "don't ask, don't tell" policy, allowing gay men and women to serve openly for the…
"Don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) was the official United States policy on military service of homosexual people for a period of over 17 years, starting in the mid-1990s. Instituted …
The United States military ends its "don't ask, don't tell" policy, allowing gay men and women to serve openly for the…
A dump truck full of explosives detonates in front of the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing 54 people and…
The Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing occurred on the night of 20 September 2008, when a dumper truck filled with explosives was detonated in front of the Marriott Hotel in the Pak…
A dump truck full of explosives detonates in front of the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing 54 people and…
Between 15,000 and 20,000 protesters march on Jena, Louisiana, United States, in support of six black youths who had…
The Jena Six were six black teenagers in Jena, Louisiana, United States, convicted in the 2006 beating of Justin Barker, a white student at the local Jena High School, which they …
Between 15,000 and 20,000 protesters march on Jena, Louisiana, United States, in support of six black youths who had…
Civil unrest in the Maldives breaks out after a prisoner is killed by guards.
On Saturday September 20, 2003 civil unrest broke out in Malé, the capital city of the Maldives. This unrest was provoked by the death of Hassan Evan Naseem at Maafushi Prison – l…
Civil unrest in the Maldives breaks out after a prisoner is killed by guards.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the discussion.