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

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

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

“The widespread damage Ivan caused highlighted the need forstronger building codes and the importance of all stakeholdersworking together to protect the public,” said PCI State GovernmentRelations Counsel Donovan Brown. Florida has adopted stringentbuilding standards throughout the state and the state has madegreat strides in code adoption and enforcement, training,certification and licensing requirements for contractors andsubcontractors. “We hope the anniversary of Ivan will serve toprompt action in Alabama so that residents there can experience thebenefits of more damage-resistant buildings, which can save livesas well as lead to fewer and smaller claims.”

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

Brewton, Ala., Sept. 23, 2004: Downed trees remain in areasaffected 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'sbeaches.

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

Pensacola, Fla., Sept. 18, 2004: The debris linedeposit from the tidal surge of hurricane Ivan. (FEMA photo/AndreaBooher)

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

Pensacola, Fla., June 12, 2005: Debris from demolition andrebuilding after Hurricane Ivan. (FEMA photo/AndreaBooher)

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

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

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

Orange Beach, Ala., Sept. 16, 2004: The WindemereCondominiums, on Orange Beach, Ala., after Ivan's 130 mphwinds and 30-foot swells. The eye of Ivan passed directly overOrange 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)