A look at some of the most deadly U.S. hurricanes

Residents seek higher ground on the roof of a home as floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina covers streets Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005 in New Orleans. (AP / Vincent Laforet)

Matthew could become the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Wilma in October 2005 if it maintains at least Category 3 status with winds of 177 km/h or more.

Current forecasts show Matthew - with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h - could bring heavy rain, powerful winds, storm surge and other problems to the U.S. coast from Florida to the Carolinas in the coming days. Forecasters warn it has the potential to be incredibly destructive, adding it is forecast to strengthen further over the coming day or so and could become a Category 4 storm as it nears Florida.

Below is a look at some other destructive hurricanes in U.S. history: