It beat the old record from Hurricane Andrew . Katrina left $ 81.2 billion in damage and 1,836 deaths . Total damages have been estimated at $ 81.2 billion , and at least 1,836 people were killed by the storm ; Katrina is the costliest hurricane in U.S. history , surpassing 1992 's Hurricane Andrew , and the deadliest hurricane in the U.S. since 1928 .