Hurricane Mathew Damage Estimates in the Billions

(AP) – For a storm that inflicted less damage than many had feared, Hurricane Matthew nevertheless impaired or destroyed more than 1 million structures, forced businesses from Florida, South Carolina, to North Carolina to close and put thousands temporarily out of work.

All told, the storm probably caused $10 billion in damage, according to an estimate from Goldman Sachs.

In many affected areas, small-business owners were still assessing the damage, but figures suggest Matthew’s effect on the broader national economy will be minimal.

Though damage estimates are usually revised higher after more comprehensive assessments, the current figures would still make Matthew the 22nd-worst storm since World War II.