Providing hurricane statistics for cities in the Atlantic basin for over 25 years
Sat, Sep 14, 2024 at 1:12 AM
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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 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season
rankings last updated on -4/12/24 .


CAUTION!! This ranking system has become 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 2.26 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 1.29 years Impacted by tropical storms Idalia and Ophelia in 2023, 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 1.46 years Also impacted by T-Storms Idalia and Ophelia in 2023 and remains at #2, located just S.W. of Cape Hatteras affected by many of the same systems. Alone in the 1.46 group with 28 hurricane hits but overall 14 less storms than Cape Hatteras. (affected 104 times since 1871)
3) Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas every 1.62 years Had a quiet 2023 season 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 94 times since 1871)
4) Wilmington, North Carolina every 1.63 years Impacted by T-Storms Idalia and Ophelia in 2023 and 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 93 times).
5) Bermuda every 1.69 years Brushed by hurricanes Franklin and Lee with an inbetween impact from Post Idalia . Bermuda moves up one position to #5 and jumps ahead of the Cayman Islands, last year Bermuda moved up on Great Abaco Island. This Island has a lot of brushes mainly to the east but also has 38 hurricane hits more than the Caymans27 which is why Bermuda is ranked higher. (affected 90 times since 1871)
6) Cayman Islands every 1.69 years Had a quiet 2023 season and drops to #6 position. This is the most affected area in the Caribbean sea, (affected 90 times since 1871).
7) Great Abaco Island, Bahamas every 1.77 years Had a quiet 2023 season 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 86 times since 1871)
8) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina every 1.85 years Impacted by tropical storms Idalia and Ophelia in 2023 and moves up two positions over Andros and Savannah tie breaker with Savannah is more more hurricane hit 20 to 19. The most impacted area in South Carolina due to many brushes from systems hitting North Carolina. (affected 82 times)
9) Savannah, Georgia every 1.85 years Brushed by back door tropical storm Idalia but stays in same position due to Myrtle beach moving up. This city gets brushed by many systems cutting across from Gulf Of Mexico and recurvatures just off shore. (affected 82 times since 1871)
10) Andros Isl,Bahamas every 1.88 years Had a quiet 2023 hurricane season for the third year in a row and drops 2 positions . (affected 81 times since 1871)
11) Sable Island, Nova Scotia every 1.88 years Brushed by Xtrop hurricane Lee in 2023 season but stays in same position. Has many extratropical storm hits and is higher ranked than any other northern location. This tiny island gets hit frequently by systems moving out to sea just to the south. Loses tiebreaker with Andros island with far less hurricane hits.(affected 81 times since 1871)
12) Fernandina beach, Florida every 1.92 years Brushed by Hurricane Idalia from the Gulf on way to Atlantic and moves up 2 positions to jump Miami. Gets many cross overs from the Gulf of Mexico and brushes to east in Atlantic.(affected 79 times since 1871.)
13) Miami, Florida every 1.95 years Had a quiet 2023 season and drops 1 position position . Has many brushes from storms to south and recurving Palm bch systems Miami top of the 1.95 group with 31 hurricane hits. Has far more hurricane hits than Savannah for example but less overall storms. (affected 78 times since 1871)
14) Cape Canaveral, Florida every 1.95 years Had a quiet 2023 season and drops 1 position due to activity above. Brushed by many recurvatures off the coast middle of the 1.95 group with 17 hurricane hits.. (affected 78 times since 1871)
15) Tampa, Florida every 1.95 years Brushed by hurricane Idalia in 2023 but remains in same position due to adjustments of Fernandina moving up. Area affected by many storms crossing the state and recurving just east while inland. 14 Hurricane hits puts Tampa at the bottom of the 1.95 group.(affected 78 times since 1871)
16) Tarpon Springs, Florida every 1.97 years Brushed by hurricane Idalia in 2023 and moves up one position .Top of the 1.97 group with 13 hurricane hits. Area affected by many storms crossing the state and recurving just East while inland. (affected 77 times since 1871)
17) Saint Augustine, Florida every 1.97 years Brushed by hurricane Idalia in 2023 and moves up one position in to the 1.97 group at bottom 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 77 times since 1871)
18) Isle of Youth, Cuba every 2.00 years Had a quiet 2023 season and drops 2 positions . This is the most affected city by named storms in Cuba top of the 2.00 group with 30 hurricane hits. (affected 76 times since 1871)
19) Spring Hill, Florida every 2.00 years Brushed by hurricane Idalia in 2023 and also moves up one position to the 2.00 group but the bottom with (15) hurricanes. This city gets many back door systems from the Atlantic crossing into the Gulf. (affected 76 times since 1871)
20) Palm Beach,Florida every 2.03 years Had a quiet season in 2023 and drops one position top of the 2.03 group with 25 hurricane hits. (affected 75 times)
21) Steinhatchee, Florida every 2.03 years Hit by hurricane Idalia in 2023 and moves up 1 position. Bottom the 2.03 group with 11 hurricane hits compared to Palm Beach's 25 . (affected 75 times since 1871)
22) Eleuthera Island, Bahamas every 2.05 years Had a quiet season in 2023 and drops 1 position , top of the 2.05 group has the most hurricane hits at (34). (affected 74 times since 1871)
23) Beaufort, South Carolina every 2.05 years Impacted by tropical storm Idalia in 2023 and moves up 1 position . Area has had numerous back door extratropical systems from the Gulf and Atlantic. Bottom of the 2.05 group with 19 hurricane hits. (affected 74 times since 1871)
24) Brunswick, Georgia every 2.05 years Hit by tropical storm Idalia in 2023 but rmeains in same position. Bottom of 2.05 group with only (10) hurricanes. Many tropical systems wind fields crossing from Gulf in to Atlantic . (affected 74 times since 1871)
25) Sarasota, Florida every 2.08 years Brushed by hurricane Idalia in 2023 but remains in same position, 16 hurricane hits puts Sarasota top in the 2.08 group. (affected 73 times since 1871)
26) Georgetown, South Carolina every 2.08 years Impacted by tropical storms Idalia and Ophelia in 2023 and moves up 2 positions. Middle of the 2.08 group with 16 hurricane hits but loses tiebreaker with Sarasota with 1 less major hurricane. . (affected 73 times since 1871)
27) Elizabeth City, North Carolina every 2.11 years Hit by tropical storm Ophelia in 2023 and moves up two positions . Top of the 2.11 group with 13 hurricane hits. Close to the Outer Banks but too far north & misses 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)
28) Bimini,Bahamas every 2.14 years Had a quiet season for the third year in a row and drops two positions top of the 2.14 group with 33 Hurricane hits . (affected 71 times since 1871)
29) Turks & Caicos Islands every 2.14 years Had a quiet season in 2023 and drops two positions, second in the 2.14 group with 23 hurricane hits.(affected 71 times since 1871)
30) Charleston,South Carolina every 2.14 years Affected by tropical storm Idalia in 2023 and moves up 1 position. Middle of the 2.14 group with 16 hurricane hits (affected 71 times)
31) Homosassa, Florida every 2.14 years Brushed by hurricane Idalia in 2023 and moves up one position. Near bottom of the 2.14 group with 15 hurricane hits . (affected 71 times)
32) Jacksonville,Florida every 2.14 years Brushed by hurricane Idalia in 2023 and moves up 1 position. Bottom of the 2.14 group with 13 hurricane hits . (affected 71 times since 1871)
33) Cabo Corrientes, Cuba (west tip) every 2.17 years Brushed by tropical storm Idalia in 2023 and moves up two positions , 27 hurricane puts this city at the top of the 2.17 group . (affected 70 times since 1871)
34) Saint Thomas/Saint John VI every 2.17 years Affected by tropical storm Philippe in 2023 and moves up four positions . Middle of the 2.17 group with 21 hurricane hits . (affected 70 times since 1871)
35) Pensacola, Florida every 2.17 years Had a quiet season for the second year in a row and drops five positions . Third in the 2.17 group with (20) hurricanes.. (affected 70 times)
36) Palm Coast, Florida every 2.17 years Brushed by hurricane Idalia while moving through N FL in 2023 and moves up four positions . Bottom of the 2.17 group with 12 hurricane hits. (affected 70 times)
37) Cat Island, Bahamas every 2.20 years Had a quiet season in 2023 for the third year in a row and drops three positions. Top of the 2.20 group with 30 hurricane hits. (affected 69 times since 1871)
38) Grand Isle, Louisiana every 2.20 years Had a quiet season for the second year in a row in 2023 and drops two positions. The most affected area in Louisiana as it sticks out into the Gulf. Hit by 26 hurricanes keeps this area near the middle of the 2.20 group. (affected 69 times)
39) Fort Lauderdale, Florida every 2.20 years Had a quiet season in 2023 and drops two positions. Middle of the 2.20 group with 25 hurricane hits . (affected 69 times since 1871)
40) Norfolk,Virginia every 2.20 years Brushed by tropical storm Ophelia in 2023 and moves up four positions. Near bottom of the 2.20 group with 13 hurricane hits no majors.(affected 69 times)
41) New Orleans, Louisiana every 2.20 years Had a quiet season for the second year in a row in 2023 and drops two positions. Bottom of the 2.20 group with 12 direct hurricane hits. (affected 69 times)
42) Delray Beach, Florida every 2.24 years Had a quiet season in 2023 season & drops one position . Tops of the 2.24 group with 29 hurricane hits . (affected 68 times)
43) Long Island, Bahamas every 2.24 years Had a quiet season for the third year in a row in 2023 and drops one position . Near the top of the 2.24 group with 26 hurricane hits wins tiebreaker with stuart below also 26 hurricanes with 3 more majors since 1871. (affected 68 times since 1871)
44) Stuart, Florida every 2.24 years Had a quiet season in 2023 season and drops one position. Middle of the 2.24 group with 26 hurricane hits same as long Isl Bahamas above but 3 less majors. (affected 68 times since 1871.)
45) Mobile, Alabama every 2.27 years Had a quiet season in 2023 for the second year in a row and drops 1 position. Alone in the 2.27 group with 17 hurricane hits. (affected 67 times since 1871)
46) Daytona,Florida every 2.27 years Brushed by back door hurricane Idalia while moving through N FL in 2023 and moves up one position. Bottom of the 2.27 group with 10 hurricane hits. (affected 66 times since 1871)
47) Gulf Shores, Alabama every 2.30 years Had a quiet season in 2023 for the second year in a row and drops one position. Top of the 2.30 group with 20 hurricane hits. (affected 66 times since 1871.)
48) Panacea, Florida every 2.30 years Brushed by hurricane Idalia in 2023 and cracks the top 50. Bottom of the 2.30 group with 14 hurricane hits. (affected 66 times since 1871.)
49) Vero bch,Florida every 2.34 years Had a quiet season in 2023 and drops one position. Top of the 2.34 group with 25 hurricane hits. (affected 65 times since 1871)
50) Acklins Island, Bahamas every 2.34 years Had a quiet 2023 season for the third year and drops one position. Near top of the 2.34 group with 23 hurricane hits. (affected 65 times since 1871)
51) Panama City, Florida every 2.34 years Had a quiet seaon for the second year in a row and drops out of the top 50. Has 23 direct hurricane hits same as Acklins isl Bahamas above but 7 less majors. (affected 65 times since 1871)

On the edge of cracking top 50 Guadeloupe, Panama city, Pascagoula, Cape Cod, Sydney, exmore 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 152 years divided by 118 times = 1.29 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 152 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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