The 5 Most Expensive Natural Disasters in the World

2. The Great Hanshin Earthquake

Also known as the Kobe Earthquake, this 1995 earth tremor hit the Hyogo Prefecture on January 17 at 05:46. Although it only lasted about twenty seconds, the 6.8 earthquake managed to leave $100 billion in damages, 6,434 casualties and over 300,000 people homeless.  Buildings were ruined, 1 km of the Hanshin Expressway collapsed, almost every quay in the port of Kobe was destroyed, and fires spread throughout the city. Furthermore, the electricity supply was disrupted and the aftershocks continues to negatively impact the already catastrophic situation.