CoreLogic estimates Hurricane Francine caused up to $US1.5 billion ($2.24 billion) of insured losses after making landfall in Louisiana last week as a category 2 storm.

Winds of up to 168.9kmh were recorded on September 11, causing significant damage to small communities on the coast.

“The vast majority of the modelled losses stem from damage in Louisiana, with Mississippi and Alabama contributing slightly,” CoreLogic catastrophe response director Jon Schneyer said.

“In Louisiana, the parishes of St Mary, Terrebonne, Lafourche and Ascencion are expected to be hit the hardest by Hurricane Francine wind and storm surge flooding.”

More than 125,000 homes faced storm surge floods, while about 450,000 suffered power outages. 

Damage to buildings and contents, and business interruptions are expected to drive losses.

CoreLogic says the losses will be “manageable for primary carriers”, with damage “limited by the sparsely populated coastal region nearest to landfall”, which has built strong resilience to hurricanes.