These cities and islands are affected (within or near core **subjective to wind fields**) the most in the Atlantic Basin SINCE 1871. Example.
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1) Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
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every 1.30 years
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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)
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2) Morehead City, North Carolina
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every 1.47 years
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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)
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3) Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
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every 1.61 years
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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)
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4) Wilmington, North Carolina
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every 1.63 years
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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).
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5) Bermuda
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every 1.68 years
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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)
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6) Cayman Islands
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every 1.68 years
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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).
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7) Great Abaco Island, Bahamas
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every 1.74 years
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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)
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8) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
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every 1.82 years
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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)
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9) Savannah, Georgia
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every 1.82 years
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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)
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10) Andros Isl,Bahamas
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every 1.87 years
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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)
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11) Tampa, Florida
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every 1.87 years
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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)
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12) Fernandina beach, Florida
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every 1.87 years
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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.)
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13) Sable Island, Nova Scotia
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every 1.89 years
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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)
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14) Miami, Florida
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every 1.91 years
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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)
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15) Cape Canaveral, Florida
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every 1.91 years
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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)
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16) Tarpon Springs, Florida
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every 1.91 years
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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)
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17) Saint Augustine, Florida
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every 1.91 years
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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)
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18) Isle of Youth, Cuba
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every 1.94 years
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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)
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19) Spring Hill, Florida
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every 1.94 years
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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)
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20) Steinhatchee, Florida
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every 1.96 years
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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)
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21) Palm Beach,Florida
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every 1.99 years
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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)
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22) Brunswick, Georgia
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every 1.99 years
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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)
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23) Beaufort, South Carolina
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every 2.01 years
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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)
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24) Sarasota, Florida
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every 2.01 years
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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)
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25) Georgetown, South Carolina
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every 2.04 years
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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)
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26) Eleuthera Island, Bahamas
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every 2.07 years
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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)
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27) Homosassa, Florida
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every 2.07 years
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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)
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28) Jacksonville,Florida
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every 2.07 years
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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)
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29) Fort Lauderdale, Florida
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every 2.10 years
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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)
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30) Charleston,South Carolina
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every 2.10 years
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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)
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31) Palm Coast, Florida
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every 2.10 years
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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)
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32) Cabo Corrientes, Cuba (west tip)
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every 2.13 years
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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)
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33) Turks & Caicos Islands
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every 2.13 years
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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)
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34) Elizabeth City, North Carolina
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every 2.13 years
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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)
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35) Bimini,Bahamas
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every 2.15 years
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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)
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36) Saint Thomas/Saint John VI
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every 2.15 years
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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)
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37) Cat Island, Bahamas
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every 2.19 years
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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)
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38) Delray Beach, Florida
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every 2.19 years
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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)
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39) Grand Isle, Louisiana
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every 2.19 years
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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)
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40) Stuart, Florida
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every 2.19 years
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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.)
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41) Pensacola, Florida
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every 2.19 years
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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)
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42) New Orleans, Louisiana
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every 2.19 years
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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)
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43) Long Island, Bahamas
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every 2.22 years
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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)
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44) Panacea, Florida
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every 2.22 years
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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.)
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45) Norfolk,Virginia
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every 2.22 years
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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)
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46) Daytona,Florida
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every 2.22 years
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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)
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47) Homestead,Florida
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every 2.25 years
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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)
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48) Apalachicola,Florida
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every 2.25 years
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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)
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49) Vero bch,Florida
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every 2.28 years
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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)
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50) Mobile, Alabama
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every 2.28 years
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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)
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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
