Welcome to HurricaneCity, tracking hurricanes since 1997
Tue, Apr 24, 2018 at 2:29 AM
Facebook Twitter YouTube Ustream

Facebook Twitter YouTube Ustream

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 152 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 Tropical Storms.



The Top 50!!


Updated to include the 2016 Hurricane Season
rankings last updated on 7/21/17 .


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 2.27 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 1.36 years Hit by Tropical Storm Hermine and brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. This area 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 107 times since 1871)
2) Morehead City, North Carolina every 1.53 years Also Tropical Storm Hermine & Hurricane Matthew brush the area in 2016, located just S.W. of Cape Hatteras affected by many of the same systems. Alone in the 1.53 group with 25 hurricane hits but overall 12 less storms than Cape Hatteras. (affected 95 times since 1871)
3) Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas every 1.63 years Hit by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 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 89 times since 1871)
4) Cayman Islands every 1.71 years Been quiet here since 2008 but remains at the #4 position. Wins tie breaker with Wilmington 27 to 23 in direct hurricane hits. This is the most affected area in the Caribbean sea, (affected 85 times).
5) Wilmington, North Carolina every 1.71 years Hit by Tropical Storm Hermine and brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 but remains at #5. Located in the Southeast, North Carolina gets a lot of back door systems and recurvatures just east (affected 85 times).
6) Great Abaco Island, Bahamas every 1.79 years Brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 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) Bermuda every 1.84 years Hit by Hurricane Nicole in 2016 and moves up one position due to hurricane tie breaker 36 to 30 over Andros Island. This Island has a lot of brushes mainly to the east but also has 36 hurricane hits. (affected 79 times since 1871)
8) Andros Island, Bahamas every 1.84 years Hit by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 but drops one position due to Bermuda moving up & winning hurricane tie breaker. Less hurricane hits than Great Abaco being further south and missing many recurving hurricanes with 7 less hurricane hits than Abaco Isl. (affected 79 times since 1871)
9) Boca Raton, Florida every 1.93 years Brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 remains alone in the #9 position. The most affected city in Florida as many brushes from Miami storms as recurving Palm bch systems city has 26 hurricane hits.(affected 75 times since 1871)
10) Savannah, Georgia every 1.93 years Hit by Tropical Storms Colin,Hermine,Julia and Hurricane Matthew in 2016. This city moves up 4 positons and cracks the top 10. Shares spot with Boca but loses hurricane tie breaker 26 to 19.This city gets brushed by many systems cutting across from Gulf Of Mexico and recurvatures just off shore. (affected 75 times since 1871)
11) Sable Island, Nova Scotia every 1.96 years Had a quiet 2016 season drops 1 position but remains alone . 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 74 times since 1871)
12) Miami, Florida every 1.99 years Brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 but drops 1 position due to others gaining. Shares the 1.99 group with Myrtle beach wins tie breaker with 31 hurricane hits. (affected 73 times since 1871)
13) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina every 1.99 years Hit by Tropical Storm Hermine and Hurricane Matthew in 2016 moves up 2 positions loses tie breaker with Miami 31 to 19 hurricane hits. 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 73 times)
14) Hollywood, Florida every 2.01 years Despite a brush from Hurricane Matthew, Hollywood drops 2 positions due to others moving up. Top of the 2.01 group with 28 hurricane hits. (affected 72 times)
15) Boynton Beach, Florida every 2.01 years Also brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 but drops 2 positions , loses tie breaker with Hollywood 28 to 27 hurricane hits. (affected 72 times since 1871)
16) Spring Hill, Florida every 2.01 years Hit by Tropical Storm Colin in 2016 but remains in the same position due to others gaining. Has 13 hurricane Hurricane hits making it 3rd position in the 2.01 group. This city gets many back door systems from the Atlantic crossing into the Gulf. (affected 72 times since 1871)
17) Tarpon Springs, Florida every 2.01 years Also affected by Tropical Storm Colin in 2016 but Ranked at bottom of the 2.01 group with 12 hurricane hits . Area affected by many storms crossing the state and recurving just East while inland. (affected 72 times since 1871)
18) Eleuthera Island, Bahamas every 2.07 years Brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and moves up 1 position. Wins tie breaker with Isle of Youth,Cuba with 34 to 27 hurricane hits. (affected 70 times since 1871)
18) Isle of Youth, Cuba every 2.07 years Had another quiet season and drops one position . This is the most affected city by named storms in Cuba. (affected 70 times since 1871)
20) Palm Beach,Florida every 2.07 years Brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 but drops one position due to others gaining, 25 hurricane hits middle of 2.07 group. (affected 70 times)
21) Saint Augustine, Florida every 2.07 years Hit by Tropical Storms Colin,Julia and Hurricane Matthew. Moves up 3 positions to the 2.07 group and wins tie breaker with Tampa. Both St Augustine and Tampa have 11 hurricane hits but St Augustine wins tie breakers with 35 to 25 Tropical Storm hits. City ranked this high due to many tropical storm hits and brushes. (affected 70 times since 1871)
22) Tampa, Florida every 2.07 years Hit by Tropical Storm Colin in 2016 but drops one position due to St Augustine gaining. Area affected by many storms crossing the state and recurving just east while inland. 11 Hurricane hits and 25 TS hits puts Tampa at bottom of the 2.07 group.(affected 70 times since 1871)
22) Bimini,Bahamas every 2.13 years Brushed by Hurricane matthew in 2016 but remains in same position ,tops of the 2.13 group with 33 Hurricane hits . (affected 68 times since 1871)
23) Lake Worth, Florida every 2.13 years Brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 but remains in same place, 26 hurricane hits loses tie breaker with Bimini. (affected 68 times since 1871)
24) Cat Island, Bahamas every 2.16 years Brushed by Hurricane matthew in 2016 and moves up 1 positiion. Top of the 2.16 group with 30 hurricane hits. (affected 67 times since 1871)
25) Deerfield Beach, Florida every 2.16 years Brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and moves up one position, 27 hurricane hits second in the 2.16 group. (affected 67 times since 1871)
26) Jupiter, Florida every 2.16 years Brushed by Hurricane matthew in 2016 and moves up one position, hurricane hits (25) . (affected 67 times since 1871)
27) Beaufort, South Carolina every 2.16 years Hit by Tropical Storms Hermine,Julia and Hurricane Matthew in 2016 moving up seven positions. Area has had numerous back door extratropical systems from the Gulf and Atlantic. Bottom of the 2.16 group with 18 hurricane hits. (affected 67 times since 1871)
28) Long Island, Bahamas every 2.20 years Brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and moves up one position, 26 direct hurricane hits puts island at top of the 2.20 group.(affected 66 times)
29) Turks & Caicos Islands every 2.20 years Had another quiet season in 2016 and drops one position,6 less hurricane hits (20) than Long Isl Bahamas. (affected 66 times since 1871)
30) Sarasota, Florida every 2.20 years Hit by Tropical Storm Colin in 2016 but remains in the same position, 15 hurricane hits puts Sarasota at the bottom of the 2.20 group. (affected 66 times since 1871)
31) Fort Lauderdale, Florida every 2.23 years Brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and moves up one position. Tops of the 2.23 group with 25 hurricane hits . (affected 65 times since 1871)
32) Georgetown, South Carolina every 2.23 years Hit by Tropical Storms Hermine,Julia and Hurricane matthew in 2016. Moves up seven positions into the 2.23 group with 15 hurricane hits . (affected 65 times since 1871)
33) Homosassa, Florida every 2.23 years Hit by Tropical Storm Colin brushed by Hurricane Hermine and moves up 3 positions. Bottom of the 2.23 group with 13 hurricane hits. (affected 65 times)
34) Delray Beach, Florida every 2.27 years Brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and moves up 1 position. Tops of the 2.27 group with 28 hurricane hits . (affected 64 times)
35) Cabo Corrientes, Cuba (west tip) every 2.27 years Had another quiet season in 2016 and drops four positions, 26 hurricane hits puts this area second in the 2.27 group. (affected 64 times since 1871)
36) Grand Isle, Louisiana every 2.27 years Had a quiet 2016 season and drops three positions. The most affected area in Louisiana as it sticks out into the Gulf. Hit by 24 hurricanes keeps this area near the bottom of the 2.27 group. (affected 64 times)
37) Elizabeth City, North Carolina every 2.27 years Brushed by Tropical Storm Hermine and Hurricane Matthew and moves up three positions. Bottom of the 2.27 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 64 times since 1871)
38) Norfolk,Virginia every 2.30 years Hit by Tropical Storm Hermine and brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and moves up 7 positions. 13 hurricane hits puts this city at the top of the 2.30 group. (affected 63 times since 1871)
39) New Orleans, Louisiana every 2.30 years Had a quiet 2016 season and drops one position. Alone in the 2.30 group with nine direct hurricane hits. (affected 63 times)
40) Stuart, Florida every 2.34 years Brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Top of the 2.34 group with 25 hurricane hits (affected 62 times since 1871.)
41) Acklins Island, Bahamas every 2.34 years Brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and moves up two positions,22 hurricane hits. (affected 62 times since 1871)
42) Pensacola, Florida every 2.34 years Had a quiet 2016 season and drops three positions. 18 hurricane hits puts Pensacola 3rd in the 2.34 group. (affected 62 times)
43) Fernandina beach, Florida every 2.34 years Cracks the top 50 for the first time by getting hit by Tropical Storms Colin,Hermine,Julia and hurricane Matthew. Bottom of the 2.34 group with only 12 huricane hits.(affected 62 times since 1871.)
44) Nassau, Bahamas every 2.38 years Hit by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 but remains in same positions due to others rising,has 25 hurricane hits tops in the 2.38 group. Being a very tiny island has the surrounding larger Bahama Islands having more affects and ranked higher. (affected 61 times since 1871)
45) Jacksonville,Florida every 2.38 years Cracks the top 50 with Tropical Storms Colin,Hermine,Julia and Hurricane Matthew. Bottom of the 2.38 group with 13 hurricane hits. (affected 61 times since 1871)
46) San Salvador,Bahamas every 2.42 years Brushed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and moves up one position. Tops of the 2.42 group and would be ranked much higher if this was for hurricanes only with 29 hurricane hits.(affected 60 times since 1871)
47) Florida City, Florida every 2.42 years Had another quiet 2016 season and drops 4 positions. Florida City 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. Second in the 2.42 group with 27 hurricane hits. (affected 60 times since 1871.)
48) Sydney, Nova Scotia every 2.42 years Had another quiet season in 2016 and drops 2 positions. Bottom of the 2.42 group with only 6 hurricane hits since 1871. Many more systems brush or hit Sable Island #10 and then brush Sydney on the way N.E. (affected 60 times)
49) Hiltonhead Island,South carolina every 2.46 years Cracks the top 50 hit by Tropical Storm Hermine,Julia and Hurricane Matthew. Tops of the 2.46 group with 19 hurricane hits. (affected 59 times since 1871)
50) Panama City, Florida every 2.46 years Had a quiet 2016 season and drops two positions. With 17 direct hurricane hits rates area second in the 2.46 group. (affected 59 times since 1871)
51) Cape Cod,Massachusetts every 2.46 years Had a quiet 2016 season and drops out of the top 50. Wins tie breaker with Cape canaveral with 5 more TS hits. (affected 59 times since 1871)
52) Cape Canaveral,Florida every 2.46 years Hit by Tropical Storm Colin and Hurricane Matthew in 2016 nearly cracking the top 50. 16 Hurricane hits &21 TS puts area in near the bottom of the 2.46 group. (affected 59 times since 1871)
53) Mobile, Alabama every 2.46 years Had another quiet season in 2016 and drops out of the top 50. 16 Hurricane hits and 20 TS puts area in near the bottom of the 2.46 group. (affected 59 times since 1871)
54) Cape Sable, Nova Scotia every 2.46 years Had another quiet 2016 season and remains out of the top 50 (affected 59 times since 1871)

Just to let you know the last ranked city #152 is Prinzapolca, Nicaragua (only 8 times or every 18.12 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) 107 times since 1871 or 145 years divided by 107 times = 1.36 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 145 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

To follow current storms via radio, cams & view the hurricane past of cities being threatened, click below. HC Banner