Providing hurricane statistics for cities in the Atlantic basin for over 20 years
Sat, Jun 19, 2021 at 2:29 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) coming within or near the core of 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. The east Caribbean only has August, September and October as main threats, also note the closeness of locations in Southern locations vrs North. Often times tropical systems expand further North so we have less locations for Northern areas in the database . 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.)
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 2020 Hurricane Season
rankings last updated on -4/3/21 .


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. This list changes after each hurricane season, so if you are planning a document to last for more than one year the rankings may be inaccurate. Please allow us to proof read the documents you plan on using before inaccurate information spreads by contacting jim@hurricanecity.com. 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 1.32 years Impacted by Tropical storms Arthur & Isaias in 2020, 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 113 times since 1871)
2) Morehead City, North Carolina every 1.50 years Brushed by Hurricane Isaias in 2020 and remains at #2, located just S.W. of Cape Hatteras affected by many of the same systems. Alone in the 1.50 group with 25 hurricane hits but overall 14 less storms than Cape Hatteras. (affected 99 times since 1871)
3) Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas every 1.60 years Impacted by tropical storms Isaias & Eta in 2020 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 93 times since 1871)
4) Wilmington, North Carolina every 1.67 years Hit by Hurricane Isaias in 2020 but remains alone in 1.67 group at #4 position. Located in the Southeast, North Carolina gets a lot of back door systems and recurvatures just east (affected 89 times).
5) Cayman Islands every 1.71 years Impacted by tropical storms Laura & Eta in 2020 but remains in the #5 position. This is the most affected area in the Caribbean sea, (affected 87 times since 1871).
6) Great Abaco Island, Bahamas every 1.75 years Brushed by hurricane Isaias & brushed by tropical storm Eta but remains in the same position. If this list was for hurricane hits only this island would be #1 with 40 hurricane hits since 1871 (affected 85 times since 1871)
7) Bermuda every 1.77 years Impacted by x-tropical storm Arthur hit by hurricane Paulette and brushed by hurricanes Teddy & Epsilon. This Island has a lot of brushes mainly to the east but also has 38 hurricane hits. (affected 84 times since 1871)
8) Andros Isl,Bahamas every 1.84 years Hit by hurricane Isaias and brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020 but remains in the same position. (affected 81 times since 1871)
9) Savannah, Georgia every 1.91 years Not impacted in 2020 but remains in same position due to tiebreaker win hurricane hits 5 more than #10 Sable Island. This city gets brushed by many systems cutting across from Gulf Of Mexico and recurvatures just off shore. (affected 78 times since 1871)
10) Sable Island, Nova Scotia every 1.91 years Impacted by x-tropical storm Teddy and brushed by hurricane Epsilon in 2020 and moves up one 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. (affected 78 times since 1871)
11) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina every 1.94 years Brushed by hurricane Isaias in 2020 but drops 1 position due to Sable Isl 2 impacts. The most impacted area in South Carolina due to many brushed from systems hitting North Carolina. (affected 77 times)
12) Miami, Florida every 1.96 years Brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020 and remains in the same position. The most affected city in Florida has many brushes from storms to south and recurving Palm bch systems city has 31 hurricane hits. Has far more hurricane hits than Savannah but less overall storms. (affected 76 times since 1871)
13) Cape Canaveral, Florida every 1.96 years Brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020 but remains in the same position. Brushed by many recurvatures off the coast. (affected 76 times since 1871)
14) Fernandina beach, Florida every 1.96 years Brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020 but stays in same position. Bottom of the 1.96 group with only 12 huricane hits.(affected 76 times since 1871.)
15) Isle of Youth, Cuba every 2.01 years Hit by tropical storm Laura in 2020 but remains in the same position. This is the most affected city by named storms in Cuba. (affected 74 times since 1871)
16) Tampa, Florida every 2.01 years Brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020 and moves up two positions. Area affected by many storms crossing the state and recurving just east while inland. 14 Hurricane hits puts Tampa at the middle of the 2.01 group.(affected 74 times since 1871)
17) Saint Augustine, Florida every 2.01 years Hit by tropical storm Eta in 2020 but drops one position due to ending up at the bottom of the 2.01 group with the least amount of hurricanes (12). City ranked this high due to many tropical storm hits and brushes. (affected 74 times since 1871)
18) Eleuthera Island, Bahamas every 2.04 years Brushed by hurricane Isaias & tropical storm Eta in 2020 moves up 2 positions to top of the 2.04 group has the most hurricane hits at (34). (affected 73 times since 1871)
19) Palm Beach,Florida every 2.04 years Brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020 but drops 2 positions due to the rise of Eleuthera to this group. (affected 73 times)
20) Tarpon Springs, Florida every 2.04 years Hit by tropical storm Eta in 2020 but drops one position being bottom of the 2.04 group with (13)hurricanes. Area affected by many storms crossing the state and recurving just East while inland. (affected 73 times since 1871)
21) Spring Hill, Florida every 2.07 years Hit by tropical storm Eta in 2020 and stays in the same position alone in the 2.07 group with (15) hurricanes. This city gets many back door systems from the Atlantic crossing into the Gulf. (affected 72 times since 1871)
22) Bimini,Bahamas every 2.10 years Hit by tropical storm Isaias brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020. Moves up to top of the 2.10 group with 33 Hurricane hits . (affected 71 times since 1871)
23) Steinhatchee, Florida every 2.10 years Hit by T-Storm Eta in 2020 and remains at the same position. Bottom of the 2.10 group with 10 hurricane hits . (affected 71 times since 1871)
24) Turks & Caicos Islands every 2.13 years Brushed by hurricane Isaias in 2020,moves up one position to the top of the 2.13 group with 22 hurricane hits.(affected 70 times since 1871)
25) Brunswick, Georgia every 2.13 years Hit by tropical storm Eta in 2020 but moves down to bottom of 2.13 group with only (10) hurricanes..Many tropical systems wind fields crossing from Gulf in to Atlantic . (affected 70 times since 1871)
26) Cat Island, Bahamas every 2.16 years Brushed by hurricane Isaias in 2020 but drops one position due to others rising. Top of the 2.16 group with 30 hurricane hits. (affected 69 times since 1871)
27) Pensacola, Florida every 2.16 years Brushed by tropical storm Cristobal hit by hurricane Sally & brushed by hurricane Zeta in 2020. City jumps an amazing 6 positions to #29 and second in the 2.16 group with (20) hurricanes.. (affected 69 times)
28) Beaufort, South Carolina every 2.16 years Had a quiet 2020 hurricane season and drops 3 positions. Area has had numerous back door extratropical systems from the Gulf and Atlantic. Third in the 2.16 group with 19 hurricane hits. (affected 69 times since 1871)
29) Sarasota, Florida every 2.16 years Brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020 but drops 2 positions, 16 hurricane hits puts Sarasota in the middle of the 2.16 group. (affected 69 times since 1871)
30) Elizabeth City, North Carolina every 2.16 years Hit by tropical storm Isaias & x-tropical storm Zeta in 2020 but drops 2 positions due to others rising. Bottom of the 2.16 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 69 times since 1871)
31) Cabo Corrientes, Cuba (west tip) every 2.19 years Hit by tropical storm Laura in 2020 but drops 2 positions, 27 hurricane puts this city at the top of the 2.19 group . (affected 68 times since 1871)
32) Long Island, Bahamas every 2.19 years Brushed by hurricane Isaias in 2020 but drops 2 positions . Near ther Top of the 2.19 group with 26 hurricane hits . (affected 68 times since 1871)
33) Saint Thomas/Saint John VI every 2.19 years Hit by tropical storm Laura in 2020 in addition to being added in combo with St John with additional impacts cracks the top 50 to #34 . Middle of the 2.19 group with 21 hurricane hits . (affected 68 times since 1871)
34) Georgetown, South Carolina every 2.19 years Brushed by tropical storm Bertha and brushed by hurricane Isaias in 2020. 4th in the 2.19 group with 19 hurricane hits . (affected 68 times since 1871)
35) Jacksonville,Florida every 2.19 years Hit by tropical storm Eta in 2020 but drops 3 positions due to others rising and the addition of St Thomas cracking top 50. Bottom of the 2.19 group with 13 hurricane hits. (affected 68 times since 1871)
36) Fort Lauderdale, Florida every 2.22 years Brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020 but drops 2 positions due to others rising. Tops of the 2.22 group with 25 hurricane hits same as Grand Isle but Ft Lauderdale wins tiebreakers with 3 more majors. (affected 67 times since 1871)
37) Grand Isle, Louisiana every 2.22 years Hit by tropical storm Cristobal & hurricane Zeta in 2020 moves up 3 positions. The most affected area in Louisiana as it sticks out into the Gulf. Hit by 25 hurricanes keeps this area near the top of the 2.22 group. (affected 67 times)
38) Charleston,South Carolina every 2.22 years Recalculated using different range rings in 2020 and cracks the top 50. Middle of the 2.22 group with 15 hurricane hits wins tie breaker with Homossasa with 1 more major since 1871. (affected 67 times)
39) Homosassa, Florida every 2.22 years Hit by tropical storm Eta in 2020 but drops 2 positions due to others rising. Middle of the 2.22 group with 15 hurricane hits. (affected 67 times)
40) Norfolk,Virginia every 2.22 years Hit by tropical storm Isaias and x-tropical storm Zeta in 2020 moves up 2 positions. Near bottom of the 2.22 group with 13 hurricane hits.(affected 67 times)
41) Palm Coast, Florida every 2.22 years Brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020 but drops 3 positions due to others moving up. Near bottom of the 2.22 group with 12 hurricane hits. (affected 67 times)
42) New Orleans, Louisiana every 2.22 years Hit by tropical storm Cristobal and hurricane Zeta in 2020 moves up 1 position.Bottom of the 2.22 group with 11 direct hurricane hits. (affected 67 times)
43) Delray Beach, Florida every 2.26 years Brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020 but drops 4 positions due to others having a more active season. Tops of the 2.26 group with 29 hurricane hits . (affected 66 times)
44) Stuart, Florida every 2.26 years Brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020 and also drops 4 positions. Near the top of the 2.26 group with 25 hurricane hits (affected 66 times since 1871.)
45) Mobile, Alabama every 2.26 years Brushed by tropical storm Cristobal, hit by hurricane Sally and brushed by hurricane Zeta in 2020 despite all of this only moves up 1 position. Bottom of the 2.26 group with 17 hurricane hits. (affected 66 times since 1871)
46) Acklins Island, Bahamas every 2.29 years Brushed by hurricane Isaias in 2020 but drops 2 positions. Top of the 2.29 group with 23 hurricane hits. (affected 65 times since 1871)
47) Gulf Shores, Alabama every 2.29 years Brushed by tropical storm Cristobal, hit by hurricane Sally and brushed by hurricane Zeta in 2020. Moves up 2 positions second in the 2.29 group with 20 hurricane hits. (affected 65 times since 1871.)
48) Panama City, Florida every 2.33 years Brushed by tropical storm Sally as it passed to north while weakening in 2020 but drops 3 positions. With 19 direct hurricane hits tops of the 2.33 group . (affected 64 times since 1871)
49) Daytona,Florida every 2.33 years Brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020 and drops 2 positions. Bottom of the 2.33 group with 10 hurricane hits. (affected 64 times since 1871)
50) Homestead, Florida every 2.37 years Brushed by tropical storm Eta in 2020 and drops 2 positions. Homestead south into the Florida Keys are lower ranked than S.E. Florida cities further north due to many storms climbing north upon approach to Florida. Tops in the 2.37 group with 29 hurricane hits . (affected 63 times since 1871.)
51) Nassau, Bahamas every 2.37 years Brushed by hurricane Isaias and tropical storm Eta in 2020. Stays in the same position, 26 hurricane hits has island near the top of the 2.37 group. Being a very tiny island has the surrounding larger Bahama Islands having more affects and ranked higher. (affected 63 times since 1871)

Just to let you know the last ranked city #149 is Prinzapolca, Nicaragua (only 11 times or every 13.55 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) 113 times since 1871 or 149 years divided by 113 times = 1.32 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 149 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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