Providing hurricane statistics for cities in the atlantic basin for over 20 years
Thu, Jan 23, 2020 at 6:05 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 extratropical) 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 140 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 2018 Hurricane Season
rankings last updated on 5/11/19 .


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 1.34 years Hit by Hurricane Florence and backdoor T-Storm Michael in 2018, 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 110 times since 1871)
2) Morehead City, North Carolina every 1.52 years Impacted by both Florence & Michael in 2018 but remains #2, located just S.W. of Cape Hatteras affected by many of the same systems. Alone in the 1.54 group with 25 hurricane hits but overall 12 less storms than Cape Hatteras. (affected 97 times since 1871)
3) Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas every 1.63 years Had a quiet 2018 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 90 times since 1871)
4) Wilmington, North Carolina every 1.69 years Hit by Hurricane Florence & back door T-Storm Michael in 2018 moves up to the #4 position. Located in the Southeast, North Carolina gets a lot of back door systems and recurvatures just east (affected 87 times).
5) Cayman Islands every 1.73 years Been quiet here since 2008 and drops to the the #5 position. This is the most affected area in the Caribbean sea, (affected 85 times since 1871).
6) Great Abaco Island, Bahamas every 1.81 years Had a quiet season in 2017 & 2018 but remains in the same position. If this list was for hurricane hits only this island would be #1 with 39 hurricane hits since 1871 (affected 81 times since 1871)
7) Andros Island, Bahamas every 1.84 years Had a quiet 2018 hurricane season but remains in the #7 position. Abaco being further south and missing many recurving hurricanes with 7 less hurricane hits than Abaco Isl. (affected 80 times since 1871)
8) Bermuda every 1.86 years Had a quiet season in 2017 and 2018 but remains in the same position. This Island has a lot of brushes mainly to the east but also has 36 hurricane hits. (affected 79 times since 1871)
9) Savannah, Georgia every 1.91 years Brushed by back door T-Storm Michael in 2018 but remains in same position. This city gets brushed by many systems cutting across from Gulf Of Mexico and recurvatures just off shore. (affected 77 times since 1871)
10) Miami, Florida every 1.96 years Brushed by T-Storm Gordon in 2018 but remains in 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 75 times since 1871)
11) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina every 1.96 years Impacted by both T-Storm Florence & T-Storm Michael in 2018 and moves up 2 positions. As you head North of Georgia the hit rate goes up considerably from systems crossing from Gulf into Atlantic. This is the most affected city in South Carolina by named storms. (affected 75 times)
12) Sable Island, Nova Scotia every 1.96 years Brushed by T-Stom Chris in 2018 but remains in same position due to other cities moving up. 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 75 times since 1871)
13) Cape Canaveral, Florida every 1.99 years Had a quiet 2018 hurricane season ands falls 2 positions. Number 1 in the 1.99 group with 17 hurricane hits. (affected 74 times since 1871)
14) Fernandina beach, Florida every 1.99 years Moves up 6 positions due to some cities being eliminated from database,some historical storms recalculated despite a quiet 2018 season. Bottom of the 1.99 group with only 12 huricane hits.(affected 74 times since 1871.)
15) Isle of Youth, Cuba every 2.01 years Brushed by Sub T-Storm Alberto & Hurricane Michael in 2018 moves up 2 positions. This is the most affected city by named storms in Cuba. (affected 73 times since 1871)
16) Tampa, Florida every 2.04 years Had a quiet 2018 Hurricane season & drops 2 positions. Area affected by many storms crossing the state and recurving just east while inland. 14 Hurricane hits puts Tampa at the top of the 2.04 group.(affected 72 times since 1871)
17) Tarpon Springs, Florida every 2.04 years Also had a quiet 2018 and drops 2 positions. Area affected by many storms crossing the state and recurving just East while inland. (affected 72 times since 1871)
18) Saint Augustine, Florida every 2.04 years Also had a quiet 2018 season & drops 2 positions. City ranked this high due to many tropical storm hits and brushes. (affected 72 times since 1871)
19) Palm Beach,Florida every 2.07 years Had a quiet 2018 hurricane season & falls 1 position. (affected 71 times)
20) Spring Hill, Florida every 2.07 years Had a quiet 2018 hurricane season & drops 1 position. This city gets many back door systems from the Atlantic crossing into the Gulf. (affected 71 times since 1871)
21) Eleuthera Island, Bahamas every 2.10 years Had a quiet 2018 but due to adjustments above remains in same position. (affected 70 times since 1871)
22) Bimini,Bahamas every 2.13 years Had a quiet 2018 hurricane season but remains in same position ,tops of the 2.13 group with 33 Hurricane hits . (affected 69 times since 1871)
23) Turks & Caicos Islands every 2.13 years Also had a quiet 2018 season & remains in same position,second in 2.13 group with 22 hurricane hits.(affected 69 times since 1871)
24) Beaufort, South Carolina every 2.13 years Affected by back door Tropical Storm Michael in 2018 and moves up 1 position. Area has had numerous back door extratropical systems from the Gulf and Atlantic. Third in the 2.13 group with 19 hurricane hits. (affected 69 times since 1871)
25) Steinhatchee, Florida every 2.13 years Moves up 3 positions brushed by Hurricane Michael in 2018. Bottom of the 2.13 group with 10 hurricane hits . (affected 69 times since 1871)
26) Cat Island, Bahamas every 2.16 years Had a quiet 2018 season and drops 2 positions. Top of the 2.16 group with 30 hurricane hits. (affected 68 times since 1871)
27) Sarasota, Florida every 2.16 years Had a quiet 2018 season and drops 1 position, 16 hurricane hits puts Sarasota in the middle of the 2.16 group. (affected 68 times since 1871)
27) Brunswick, Georgia every 2.16 years Had a quiet 2018 season but remains in same position due to other cities moving up or down.Many tropical systems wind fields crossing from Gulf in to Atlantic cracking the top 50. (affected 68 times since 1871)
28) Long Island, Bahamas every 2.19 years Despite a quiet 2018 season moves up 1 position due to other locations dropping. Tops of the 2.19 group with 26 hurricane hits . (affected 67 times since 1871)
29) Cabo Corrientes, Cuba (west tip) every 2.19 years Hit by Sub T-Storm Alberto & hurricane Michael in 2018 and moves up 5 positions, 26 hurricane hits ties Long Isl Bahamas in the 2.19 group tie breaker 1 less major. (affected 67 times since 1871)
30) Georgetown, South Carolina every 2.19 years Impacted by both T-Storms Florence & Michael in 2018 and moves up 5 positions. Bottom of the 2.19 group with 15 hurricane hits . (affected 67 times since 1871)
31) Fort Lauderdale, Florida every 2.23 years Had a quiet 2018 season and drops 1 position. Tops of the 2.23 group with 25 hurricane hits . (affected 66 times since 1871)
32) Pensacola, Florida every 2.23 years Brushed by Tropical Storm Gordon & Hurricane Michael in 2018 and moves up 8 positions. 19 hurricane hits puts Pensacola second in the 2.23 group. (affected 66 times)
33) Homosassa, Florida every 2.23 years Had a quiet 2018 season and drops 2 positions. Middle of the 2.23 group with 15 hurricane hits. (affected 66 times)
34) Jacksonville,Florida every 2.23 years Drops 2 positions due to a quiet 2018 season . Near bottom of the 2.23 group with 13 hurricane hits wins tie breaker with Elizabeth City N.C with 4 major impacts. (affected 66 times since 1871)
35) Elizabeth City, North Carolina every 2.23 years Brushed by hurricane Florence & bd T-Storm Michael in 2018 moves up 6 positions. Bottom of the 2.23 group with 13 hurricane hits 1 major. 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 66 times since 1871)
36) Delray Beach, Florida every 2.26 years Had a quiet 2018 season and drops 3 positions. Tops of the 2.26 group with 29 hurricane hits . (affected 65 times)
37) Palm Coast, Florida every 2.26 years Had a quiet 2018 season and drops 1 position. Bottom of the 2.26 group with 12 hurricane hits. (affected 65 times)
38) Stuart, Florida every 2.30 years Had a quiet 2018 season and drops 1 position. Top of the 2.30 group with 25 hurricane hits (affected 64 times since 1871.)
39) Grand Isle, Louisiana every 2.30 years Had a quiet 2018 season and drops 1 position. The most affected area in Louisiana as it sticks out into the Gulf. Hit by 24 hurricanes keeps this area near the top of the 2.30 group. (affected 64 times)
40) Acklins Island, Bahamas every 2.30 years Had a quiet 2018 season and drops 1 position,Middle of the 2.30 group with 23 hurricane hits. (affected 64 times since 1871)
41) Norfolk,Virginia every 2.30 years Hit by back door T-Storm Michael in 2018 and moves up 2 positions. Near bottom of the 2.30 group with 13 hurricane hits.(affected 64 times)
42) New Orleans, Louisiana every 2.30 years Had a quiet 2018 season but remains in same position due to adjustment of other cities.Bottom of the 2.30 group with 10 direct hurricane hits. (affected 64 times)
43) Mobile, Alabama every 2.33 years Hit by Tropical Storm Gordon in 2018 and moves up 1 position. Alone in the 2.33 group with 16 hurricane hits. (affected 63 times since 1871)
44) Homestead, Florida every 2.37 years Hit by T-Storm Gordon in 2018 and moves up 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 62 times since 1871.)
45) Gulf Shores, Alabama every 2.37 years Hit by Tropical Storm Gordon & brushed by Hurricane Michael in 2018 and moves up 5 positions. Wins tie breaker with 1 more major than Panama city Second in the 2.37 group with 19 hurricane hits. (affected 62 times since 1871.)
46) Panama City, Florida every 2.37 years Hit by T-Storm Alberto & Hurricane Michael in 2018 and moves up 6 positions. With 19 direct hurricane hits outs them at middle of the 2.37 group loses tie breaker with Gulf Shores with 1 less major. (affected 62 times since 1871)
47) San Salvador,Bahamas every 2.41 years Had a quiet 2018 season and drops 2 positions. Tops of the 2.41 group and would be ranked much higher if this was for hurricanes only with 29 hurricane hits.(affected 61 times since 1871)
48) Nassau, Bahamas every 2.41 years Had a quiet season in 2018 and drops 1 position,has 26 hurricane hits in the middle of the 2.41 group. Being a very tiny island has the surrounding larger Bahama Islands having more affects and ranked higher. (affected 61 times since 1871)
49) Daytona,Florida every 2.41 years Had a quiet 2018 season and drops 1 position. Bottom of the 2.41 group with 9 hurricane hits. (affected 61 times since 1871)
50) Vero Beach, Florida every 2.45 years Had a quiet 2018 season and drops 1 position. Tops of the 2.45 group (6 others) not in top 50 and would be ranked much higher if this was for hurricanes only with 24 hurricane hits.(affected 60 times since 1871)

Just to let you know the last ranked city #152 is Prinzapolca, Nicaragua (only 9 times or every 16.22 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) 108 times since 1871 or 146 years divided by 108 times = 1.35 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 146 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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