Hurricane Ivan slammed into the Gulf Coast 10 years ago this month, causing massive damage with extreme winds of up to 120 mph and historic storm surge. Today, Ivan remains one of the costliest hurricanes to hit the U.S., leaving $8.5 billion in insured losses in its wake. At one point in the Gulf of Mexico, Ivan was one of the most intense hurricanes on record as measured by the Saffir-Simpson wind scale.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the powerful winds associated with the Category 3 hurricane, which at one point was the approximately the size of Texas, affected more than just the coast and were recorded at well above 74 mph inland, causing damage to homes throughout Alabama and Florida.

However, Ivan did blow in some good things: it highlighted the need for stronger building codes and the importance of stakeholders cooperating to protect the public, especially in Florida, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Assn. of America (PCI).

“The widespread damage Ivan caused highlighted the need for stronger building codes and the importance of all stakeholders working together to protect the public,” said PCI State Government Relations Counsel Donovan Brown. Florida has adopted stringent building standards throughout the state and the state has made great strides in code adoption and enforcement, training, certification and licensing requirements for contractors and subcontractors. “We hope the anniversary of Ivan will serve to prompt action in Alabama so that residents there can experience the benefits of more damage-resistant buildings, which can save lives as well as lead to fewer and smaller claims.”

Here are some quick facts about Ivan, accompanied by photos from the FEMA archives.

Brewton, Ala., Sept. 23, 2004: Downed trees remain in areas affected by Hurricane Ivan. (FEMA Photo/Jocelyn Augustino)

Hurricane Ivan touched down in the pre-dawn hours of Sept. 16, 2004, blasting Pensacola, Fla. and Baldwin County's beaches.

The hurricane whipped winds up to 120 miles per hour. An estimated 14-foot storm surge nearly collapsed two Orange Beach, Ala. condominiums and dumped mounds of sand into businesses and homes along the beaches.

Pensacola, Fla., Sept. 18, 2004: The debris line deposit from the tidal surge of hurricane Ivan. (FEMA photo/Andrea Booher)

After moving across the eastern U.S., Ivan dissipated over the Atlantic Ocean. However, it wasn't done yet. On Sept. 22, 2004, Ivan generated a low-pressure system across the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Weather Service. Back in action and renamed accordingly, Ivan struck again on Sept. 23 as a tropical depression near Cameron, La.

Pensacola, Fla., June 12, 2005: Debris from demolition and rebuilding after Hurricane Ivan. (FEMA photo/Andrea Booher)

Hurricane Ivan is tied for 10th place for most intense Atlantic hurricanes with a 1924 hurricane that hit Cuba with a pressure of 910 mbar. Hurricane Wilma in 2005 is number one with a pressure of 882 mbar.

Pensecola Beach, Fla., Sept. 18, 2004: Damage and debris from Hurricane Ivan remain throughout the area. The destruction of houses is seen in this photo. FEMA Photo/Jocelyn Augustino

Ivan ranks No. 6 as the costliest Atlantic hurricane at $18.8 billion worth of damage. The No. 1 spot is occupied by Hurricane Katrina, with $108 billion in damage.

Orange Beach, Ala., Sept. 16, 2004: The Windemere Condominiums, on Orange Beach, Ala., after Ivan's 130 mph winds and 30-foot swells. The eye of Ivan passed directly over Orange Beach that morning. (FEMA Photo/Butch Kinerney)

Fourteen of the 54 deaths in the U.S. occurred in Florida.

Tracking “the storm that wouldn't die”

Tropical Depression: Sept. 2

Tropical Storm: Sept. 3

Hurricane: Sept. 5, Category 3 strength

Grenada landfall: Sept. 7

Jamaica landfall: Sept. 10

Max strength: Sept. 12, Category 5, 910 mbar

Cuba: Sept. 13

Gulf Shores, Ala.: Sept. 16 around 2 a.m.

Tropical Depression: late Sept. 16

Remnants: Sept. 18

Revived Ivan: Sept. 22

Tropical Depression: Sept. 23, landfall near Cameron, La.

Final dissipation: Sept. 24

(Source: FEMA)

Special Reports /

Remembering Hurricane Ivan, 10 years later

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