Providing hurricane statistics for cities in the Atlantic basin for over 25 years
Tue, Apr 29, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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Ranking of cities and islands affected most by tropical storms and hurricanes


The cities and islands listed below are ranked 1 through 50 with the amount of years between a Storm or Hurricane (inc post tropical) wind field affecting that city or island. This ranking method is based on tracking charts dating back to 1871 from every Hurricane Season in the atlantic basin. Wind radii prior to 1990 are based on climatology rather than observed values but on certain storms research has allowed for more accurate wind fields. Keep in mind when viewing this list that Florida and the Western Caribbean get the most action due to vulnerability of all 6 months of Hurricane Season. The Mid Atlantic coast gets many brushes and recurvatures as well as back door extratropical storms coming from Gulf. This list is updated at the end of each Hurricane Season and re-calculated! (Caution! If this list was calculated only on hurricane hits, it would be totally different.)
Our hurricane statistics have been recommended at SciLinks
Rankings = #1 most hits and brushes to #50. This list is compiled out of our 139 cities & islands throughout the coastal United States, Mexico and all Caribbean Islands. The rankings are based on all hurricanes as well as tropical, sub tropical and extratropical systems.

1st Tiebreaker for cities is # of direct hits by Hurricanes.

2nd tiebreaker is # of direct hits by Major Hurricanes.



The Top 50!!


Updated to include the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season
rankings last updated on 12/27/24 .


rankings explained video

CAUTION!! This ranking system is very popular with insurance companies, schools and local government offices. The ranking list has shown up on company brochures, text books and government hurricane pamphlets with mistakes. For example, title "Hurricane prone areas Delray Beach, Florida hit by hurricanes every 2.19 years") is not true, this is for both TROPICAL STORMS and hurricanes. We do not want people thinking Delray Beach gets hit by a hurricane every three years. Under no circumstances may this code be reproduced on other web pages, however you are more than welcome to link to this page. (see comments in hidden html) Thank you!!!

These cities and islands are affected (within or near core **subjective to wind fields**) the most in the Atlantic Basin SINCE 1871. Example.
1) Cape Hatteras, North Carolina every 1.30 years Had a quiet hurricane season in 2024 but remains at top of the list. Has probably more brushes than any other area in the top 50 with many recurvatures just offshore. There are also numerous back door systems from the Gulf of Mexico that have cut through Hatteras on the way out to sea some as extratropical. (affected a whopping 118 times since 1871)
2) Morehead City, North Carolina every 1.47 years Also had a quiet season in 2024 and remains at #2, located just S.W. of Cape Hatteras affected by many of the same systems. Alone in the 1.47 group with 28 hurricane hits but overall 14 less storms than Cape Hatteras. (affected 104 times since 1871)
3) Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas every 1.61 years Brushed by hurricane Milton in 2024 but remains in the #3 position and the most affected island in the Bahamas by named storms. Located in the N.W Bahamas the island see's many storms turning N.W and North off the state of Florida. (affected 95 times since 1871)
4) Wilmington, North Carolina every 1.63 years Impacted by T-Storm Debby in 2024 but remains alone in 1.63 group at #4 position. Located in the Southeast, North Carolina gets a lot of back door systems and recurvatures just east (affected 94 times).
5) Bermuda every 1.68 years Hit by hurricane Ernesto in 2024 but remains in the same position . This Island has a lot of brushes mainly to the east but also has 38 hurricane hits more than Caymans (tiebreaker) despite being a small island. (affected 91 times since 1871)
6) Cayman Islands every 1.68 years Impacted by hurricanes Beryl and Rafael in 2024, but remains in the same position losing hurricane tiebreaker with Bermuda. This is the most affected area in the Caribbean sea, (affected 91 times since 1871).
7) Great Abaco Island, Bahamas every 1.74 years Brushed by hurricane Milton in 2024 but remains in same position. If this list was for hurricane hits only this island would be #1 with 40 hurricane hits since 1871 (affected 88 times by all storms since 1871)
8) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina every 1.82 years Brushed by tropical storms Debby and Helene in 2024 but remains at same position. Tie breaker with Savannah is one more hurricane hit 20 to 19. The most impacted area in South Carolina due to many brushes from systems hitting North Carolina. (affected 84 times)
9) Savannah, Georgia every 1.82 years Brushed by back doors Debby and Helene in 2024 but stays in same position due to hurricane tie breaker with Myrtle bch. This city gets brushed by many systems cutting across from Gulf Of Mexico and recurvatures just off shore. (affected 84 times since 1871)
10) Andros Isl,Bahamas every 1.87 years Had a quiet 2024 hurricane season for the 4th year in a row but stays in the same position . Top of the 1.87 group with the most hurricane hits 32 (affected 82 times by all storms since 1871)
11) Tampa, Florida every 1.87 years Had a very active 2024 season with being brushed by TS Debby, brushed by hurricane Helene and hit by hurricane Milton moves up 4 positions. Area affected by many storms crossing the state and recurving just east while inland plus a plethora of brushes and hits from the gulf. 15 Hurricane hits puts Tampa in the middle of the 1.87 group.(affected 82 times by all storms since 1871)
12) Fernandina beach, Florida every 1.87 years Another area that had a very active 2024 season. Hit by TS Debby from the Gulf and brushed by hurricanes Helene and Milton from the Gulf. Gets many cross overs from the Gulf of Mexico and brushes to east in Atlantic.(affected 82 times since 1871.)
13) Sable Island, Nova Scotia every 1.89 years Had a quiet season in 2024 and drops 1 position. Has many extratropical storm hits and is higher ranked than any other northern location. This tiny island south of mainland Nova Scotia gets hit frequently by systems moving out to sea just to the south. Alone in the 1.89 group with 15 hurricane hits. (affected 81 times by all storms since 1871)
14) Miami, Florida every 1.91 years Had a quiet 2024 only being brushed by hurricane Milton way to the north and drops 1 position . Has many brushes from storms to south and recurving Palm bch systems Miami top of the 1.91 group with 31 hurricane hits. Has far more hurricane hits than Savannah for example but less overall storms. (affected 80 times since 1871)
15) Cape Canaveral, Florida every 1.91 years Brushed by hurricane Helene while in Gulf and hit by hurricane Milton from the Gulf while crossing the state and drops 1 position due to more activity above some with 3 impacts in 2024. Brushed by many recurvatures off the coast 2nd in the 1.91 group with 18 hurricane hits.. (affected 80 times since 1871)
16) Tarpon Springs, Florida every 1.91 years Brushed by hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton in 2024 but remains in the same position due to adjustments above .Middle of the 1.91 group with 16 hurricane hits. Area affected by many storms crossing the state and recurving just East while inland. (affected 80 times since 1871)
17) Saint Augustine, Florida every 1.91 years Brushed by Debby, Helene and Milton in 2024 but remains in the same position due to adjustments above Bottom of the 1.91 group with the least amount of hurricanes (12). St Augustine is ranked this high due to many tropical storm hits and brushes from both Gulf & Atlantic. (affected 80 times since 1871)
18) Isle of Youth, Cuba every 1.94 years Brushed by hurricanes Helene and Rafael in 2024 but stays in the same position due to adjustments above . This is the most affected city by named storms in Cuba top of the 1.94 group with 30 hurricane hits. (affected 79 times by all storms since 1871)
19) Spring Hill, Florida every 1.94 years Brushed by Debby, Helen and Milton in 2024 but also stays in the same position as others above were also impacted by the same systems Bottom of the 1.94 group with (15) hurricanes. This city gets many back door systems from the Atlantic crossing into the Gulf. (affected 79 times since 1871)
20) Steinhatchee, Florida every 1.96 years Had a very active season hit by hurricanes Debby and Helene and brushed by Milton in 2024 and moves up 1 position. Alone in the 1.96 group with 13 hurricane hits . (affected 78 times since 1871)
21) Palm Beach,Florida every 1.99 years Brushed by hurricanes Helene and Milton from the Gulf in 2024 but drops one position due to most other FL cities above impacted 3 times. Alone in the 1.99 group with 25 hurricane hits. (affected 77 times)
22) Brunswick, Georgia every 1.99 years Hit by tropical storm Debby and brushed by hurricanes Helene and Milton from the Gulf in 2024 moving up 2 positions. Bottom of 1.99 group with only (10) hurricanes. You do not hear about Brunswick much but many tropical systems impact the city with wind fields crossing from Gulf in to Atlantic . (affected 77 times since 1871)
23) Beaufort, South Carolina every 2.01 years Tropical storms Debby and Helene impacted area in 2024 but stays in the same position . Area has had numerous back door extratropical systems from the Gulf and Atlantic. Top of the 2.01 group with 19 hurricane hits. (affected 76 times by all storms since 1871)
24) Sarasota, Florida every 2.01 years Had a very active 2024 season with TS Debby and hurricane Helene brushes and hit by hurricane Milton and moves up 1 position. One less hurricane than Beaufort hits puts Sarasota at the bottom of the 2.01 group. (affected 76 times by all storms since 1871)
25) Georgetown, South Carolina every 2.04 years Impacted by tropical storms Debby and Helene in 2024 and moves up 1 position. Alone in the 2.04 group with 16 hurricane hits . (affected 75 times by all storms since 1871)
26) Eleuthera Island, Bahamas every 2.07 years Had a quiet season for the second year in a row in 2024 and drops 4 positions. Top of the 2.07 group has the most hurricane hits at (34). (affected 74 times by all storms since 1871)
27) Homosassa, Florida every 2.07 years Brushed by hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton in 2024 and moves up 4 positions. Middle of the 2.07 group with 15 hurricane hits . (affected 74 times by all storms since 1871)
28) Jacksonville,Florida every 2.07 years hit by TS Debby and brushed by hurricanes Helene and Milton all from Gulf in 2024 also moving up 4 positions. Bottom of the 2.07 group with 13 hurricane hits . (affected 74 times by all storms since 1871)
29) Fort Lauderdale, Florida every 2.10 years Brushed by hurricanes Helene and Milton from the Gulf in 2024 and moves up a whopping 10 positions. Top of the 2.10 group with 25 hurricane hits . (affected 73 times by all storms since 1871)
30) Charleston,South Carolina every 2.10 years Affected by tropical storms Debby and Helene from Gulf in 2024 but stays in same position due to adjustments above. Middle of the 2.10 group with 16 hurricane hits (affected 73 times by all storms since 1871)
31) Palm Coast, Florida every 2.10 years Brushed byT-Storm Debby and brushed by hurricanes Helene and Milton from the Gulf in 2024 and moves up five positions . Bottom of the 2.10 group with 12 hurricane hits. (affected 73 times by all systems since 1871)
32) Cabo Corrientes, Cuba (west tip) every 2.13 years Brushed by hurricane Helene in 2024 and moves up one position , 27 hurricanes puts this city at the top of the 2.13 group . (affected 72 times by all storms since 1871)
33) Turks & Caicos Islands every 2.13 years Hit by hurricane Oscar in 2024 but drops four positions due to adjustments above, second in the 2.13 group with 23 hurricane hits.(affected 72 times by all storms since 1871)
34) Elizabeth City, North Carolina every 2.13 years Had a quiet season in 2024 and drops 7 positions . Bottom of the 2.13 group with 13 hurricane hits. Close to the Outer Banks but too far north many systems headed into the Atlantic from the WSW as well as recurvatures just east keeps this area far below nearby Cape Hatteras. (affected 72 times since 1871)
35) Bimini,Bahamas every 2.15 years Had a quiet season for the fourth year in a row and drops 7 positions top of the 2.15 group with 33 Hurricane hits . (affected 71 times by all storms since 1871)
36) Saint Thomas/Saint John VI every 2.15 years Hit by T.S Ernesto in 2024 but drops 2 positions due to activity above . Bottom of the 2.15 group with 21 hurricane hits . (affected 71 times by all storms since 1871)
37) Cat Island, Bahamas every 2.19 years Had a quiet season in 2024 for the fourth year in a row but top of the 2.19 group with 30 hurricane hits. (affected 70 times by all storms since 1871)
38) Delray Beach, Florida every 2.19 years Brushed by hurricane Helene and Milton in 2024 and jumps 5 positions . Near the top of the 2.19 group with 29 hurricane hits . (affected 70 times by all storms since 1871)
39) Grand Isle, Louisiana every 2.19 years Brushed by hurricane Francine in 2024 and remains in the same position. The most affected area in Louisiana as it sticks out into the Gulf. Hit by 26 hurricanes keeps this area middle of the 2.19 group wins tiebreaker with Stuart with 1 more major. (affected 70 times by all storms since 1871)
40) Stuart, Florida every 2.19 years Brushed by hurricanes Helene and Milton from Gulf in 2024 and moves up 5 positions. Middle of the 2.19 group with 26 hurricane hits same as Grand Isle but 1 less major. (affected 70 times by all storms since 1871.)
41) Pensacola, Florida every 2.19 years Had a quiet season for the third year in a row and drops five positions . Towards bottom of the 2.19 group with (20) hurricane hits.. (affected 70 times by all storms since 1871)
42) New Orleans, Louisiana every 2.19 years Affected by TS Francine in 2024 but stays in the same position. Bottom of the 2.19 group with 12 direct hurricane hits. (affected 70 times by all storms since 1871)
43) Long Island, Bahamas every 2.22 years Brushed by T.S Oscar in 2024 and remains in same position . Near the top of the 2.22 group with 26 hurricane hits . (affected 69 times since 1871)
44) Panacea, Florida every 2.22 years Had a very active season in 2024 impacted by hurricanes Debby ,Helene and Milton and moves up 4 positions. Middle of the 2.22 group with 15 hurricane hits. (affected 69 times by all storms since 1871.)
45) Norfolk,Virginia every 2.22 years Had a quiet season in 2024 and drops 5 positions. Middle of the 2.22 group with 14 hurricane hits .(affected 69 times by all storms since 1871)
46) Daytona,Florida every 2.22 years Brushed by back door hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 but remains in same position due to adjustments above. Bottom of the 2.22 group with only 10 hurricane hits. (affected 69 times since 1871)
47) Homestead,Florida every 2.25 years Brushed by back door hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 and cracks the top 50. Top of the 2.25 group with 29 hurricane hits. (affected 68 times by all storms since 1871)
48) Apalachicola,Florida every 2.25 years Brushed by hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 and also cracks the top 50. Bottom of the 2.25 group with 23 hurricane hits. (affected 68 times since 1871)
49) Vero bch,Florida every 2.28 years Brushed by hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 but remaines in the same position. Top of the 2.28 group with 25 hurricane hits. (affected 67 times since 1871)
50) Mobile, Alabama every 2.28 years Had a quiet season in 2024 for the third year in a row and drops 5 positions. Bottom of the 2.28 group with 17 hurricane hits. (affected 67 times by all storms since 1871)

Both Acklins Isl,Bahamas and Gulf shores, Alabama had quiet seasons and dropped out of the top 50 in 2024. On the edge of cracking top 50 Guadeloupe, Panama city and Cozumel,Mexico., Just to let you know the last ranked city #139 is Prinzapolca, Nicaragua (only 11 times or every 13.72 years by a named storm).
To see the rest of the unranked cities click here.

How is this done? Example #1 Cape Hatteras affected (within or near core) 118 times since 1871 or 153 years divided by 118 times = 1.30 years (rounded). These city rankings are based on the HurricaneCity list of cities located here. Your coastal city may not be ranked because it is not in the database but just figure in between the nearest cities to you.

NOTE: If your city or island gets action (for example every 3 years) that does not mean you will get hit every 3 yrs or within 3 years but most do, as these are just averages over the last 153 years.

Here is a map from NOAA showing mean occurrence of named storms 1944-1997 showing how accurate these rankings are.
Sources include National Hurricane Center tracking charts and advisory archives.

Questions? Please contact Jim Williams... jim@hurricanecity.com

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