The U.S. remains highly exposed to hurricanes, with “Florida leading the nation in hurricane landfalls, followed by Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina.” Coastal regions such as South Florida, the Outer Banks, and the Northern Gulf Coast face severe storms every few years.
Storm surge poses one of the biggest dangers, especially for low-lying Gulf Coast cities. “Miami, New Orleans, Tampa, New York, and Savannah are at heightened risk when hurricanes approach.”
Inland flooding is another deadly factor, responsible for “about 60% of hurricane-related deaths.” Even areas far from the coast, like inland Texas, can suffer heavy damage as storms travel inland.
Experts warn that climate change is worsening these threats, causing stronger hurricanes and spreading high winds farther inland. “The share of major hurricanes has risen sharply over recent decades.”
To prepare, residents and local governments rely on tools such as FEMA’s National Risk Index and NOAA’s storm surge maps, which help identify vulnerable areas and plan for potential impacts.
