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Tue, Feb 19, 2019 at 5:13 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 2017 Hurricane Season
rankings last updated on 4/26/18 .


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 Brushed by Hurricane Maria in 2017, 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 108 times since 1871)
2) Morehead City, North Carolina every 1.54 years Had a quiet 2017 season, 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 95 times since 1871)
3) Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas every 1.62 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 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) Cayman Islands every 1.72 years Been quiet here since 2008 but remains at the #4 position. This is the most affected area in the Caribbean sea, (affected 85 times since 1871).
5) Wilmington, North Carolina every 1.72 years Had a quiet season in 2017 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 1.80 years Had a quiet season in 2017 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 1.83 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and moves up one position over Bermuda & 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 80 times since 1871)
8) Bermuda every 1.85 years Had a quiet season in 2017 and falls one 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 1.92 years Affected by Tropical Storm Irma in 2017 and moves up 1 positon. This city gets brushed by many systems cutting across from Gulf Of Mexico and recurvatures just off shore. (affected 76 times since 1871)
10) Miami, Florida every 1.97 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and moves up 2 positions. The most affected city in Florida has many brushes from Miami storms south and recurving Palm bch systems city has 31 hurricane hits. Has far more hurricane hits than Savannah but less overall storms. (affected 74 times since 1871)
11) Cape Canaveral, Florida every 1.97 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and gains a whopping 41 positions (was 52) due to recalculations of past storms and the reduction of 13 cities from database. Number 2 in the 1.97 group with 17 hurricane hits. (affected 74 times since 1871)
12) Sable Island, Nova Scotia every 1.97 years Had a quiet 2017 season drops 1 position just below Cape Canaveral with 3 less hurricane hits . 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)
13) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina every 2.00 years Had a quiet season in 2017 but remains in the same position alone in the 2.00 group. 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) Tampa, Florida every 2.03 years Hit by Tropical Storm Emily & Hurricane Irma in 2017 and moves up 8 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 2.03 group.(affected 72 times since 1871)
15) Tarpon Springs, Florida every 2.03 years Also affected by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and moves up 2 positions . Area affected by many storms crossing the state and recurving just East while inland. (affected 72 times since 1871)
16) Saint Augustine, Florida every 2.03 years Hit by Tropical Storm Irma in 2017 and moves up 5 positions to the 2.03 group . City ranked this high due to many tropical storm hits and brushes. (affected 72 times since 1871)
17) Isle of Youth, Cuba every 2.06 years Brushed by Tropical Storm Philippe in 2017. This is the most affected city by named storms in Cuba. (affected 71 times since 1871)
18) Palm Beach,Florida every 2.06 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and moves up 2 positions (affected 71 times)
19) Spring Hill, Florida every 2.06 years Hit by Hurricane Irma in 2017 but loses 2 positions due to others gaining and some new hurdat2 adjustments. This city gets many back door systems from the Atlantic crossing into the Gulf. (affected 71 times since 1871)
20) Fernandina beach, Florida every 2.06 years Moves up an amazing 23 positions due to some cities being eliminated from database,some historical storms recalculated and being hit by TS Irma in 2017. Bottom of the 2.06 group with only 12 huricane hits.(affected 74 times since 1871.)
21) Eleuthera Island, Bahamas every 2.09 years Had a quiet 2017 season and drops 3 positions. (affected 70 times since 1871)
22) Bimini,Bahamas every 2.12 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 but remains in same position ,tops of the 2.12 group with 33 Hurricane hits . (affected 69 times since 1871)
23) Turks & Caicos Islands every 2.12 years Hit by both hurricanes Irma and Maria moves up 6 positions.(affected 69 times since 1871)
24) Cat Island, Bahamas every 2.15 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 but stays in same position due to other cities being eliminated. Top of the 2.15 group with 30 hurricane hits. (affected 68 times since 1871)
25) Beaufort, South Carolina every 2.15 years Affected by Tropical Storm Irma in 2017 and moves up 2 positions. Area has had numerous back door extratropical systems from the Gulf and Atlantic. Second in the 2.15 group with 19 hurricane hits. (affected 68 times since 1871)
26) Sarasota, Florida every 2.15 years Hit by Tropical Storm Emily and Hurricane Irma in 2017 and moves up 4 positions, 16 hurricane hits puts Sarasota in the middle of the 2.15 group. (affected 68 times since 1871)
27) Brunswick, Georgia every 2.15 years Affected by Tropical Storm Irma in 2017 also recalculated and added 2 past tropical systems wind fields crossing from Gulf in to Atlantic cracking the top 50. (affected 68 times since 1871)
28) Steinhatchee, Florida every 2.15 years New addition to the database also affected by Tropical Storm Irma in 2017. Bottom of the 2.15 group with 10 hurricane hits . (affected 68 times since 1871)
29) Long Island, Bahamas every 2.18 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 but drops one position due to addition of new cities. Tops of the 2.18 alone in the 2.18 group with 26 hurricane hits . (affected 67 times since 1871)
30) Fort Lauderdale, Florida every 2.21 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and moves up one position. Tops of the 2.21 group with 25 hurricane hits . (affected 66 times since 1871)
31) Homosassa, Florida every 2.21 years Hit by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and moves up 2 positions. Middle of the 2.21 group with 15 hurricane hits. (affected 66 times)
32) Jacksonville,Florida every 2.21 years Moves way up 13 positions due to tropical Storm Irma and other cities removed from database . Bottom of the 2.21 group with 13 hurricane hits. (affected 66 times since 1871)
33) Delray Beach, Florida every 2.25 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and moves up 1 position. Tops of the 2.25 group with 29 hurricane hits . (affected 65 times)
34) Cabo Corrientes, Cuba (west tip) every 2.25 years Brushed by Tropical Storm Nate in 2017 and moves up 1 position, 26 hurricane hits puts this area second in the 2.25 group. (affected 65 times since 1871)
35) Georgetown, South Carolina every 2.25 years Had a quiet season in 2017 and drops 3 positions. Near the bottom of the 2.25 group with 15 hurricane hits . (affected 65 times since 1871)
36) Palm Coast, Florida every 2.25 years Newly added to the database and affected by Tropical Storm Irma in 2017. Bottom of the 2.25 group with 12 hurricane hits. (affected 65 times)
37) Stuart, Florida every 2.28 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Top of the 2.28 group with 25 hurricane hits (affected 64 times since 1871.)
38) Grand Isle, Louisiana every 2.28 years Hit by Tropical Storm Cindy in 2017 but drops 2 positions due to other city additions. 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 2.28 group. (affected 64 times)
39) Acklins Island, Bahamas every 2.28 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and moves up three positions,Middle of the 2.28 group with 23 hurricane hits. (affected 64 times since 1871)
40) Pensacola, Florida every 2.28 years Brushed by Tropical Storm Cindy & Hurricane Nate in 2017 and moves up 2 positions. 19 hurricane hits puts Pensacola in the middle of the 2.28 group. (affected 64 times)
41) Elizabeth City, North Carolina every 2.28 years Had a quiet season in 2017 and drops 4 positions. Near bottom of the 2.28 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)
42) New Orleans, Louisiana every 2.28 years Hit by Tropical Storm Cindy in 2017 but drops 3 positions due to other cities added.Bottom of the 2.28 group with 10 direct hurricane hits. (affected 63 times)
43) Norfolk,Virginia every 2.32 years Had a quiet 2017 hurricane season and drops 5 positions. Alone in the 2.32 group with 13 hurricane hits.(affected 63 times)
44) Mobile, Alabama every 2.35 years Hit by Tropical Storm Cindy & brushed by Hurricane Nate moving up 9 positions to crack the top 50. Alone in the 2.35 group with 16 hurricane hits. (affected 62 times since 1871)
45) San Salvador,Bahamas every 2.39 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and moves up one position. Tops of the 2.39 group and would be ranked much higher if this was for hurricanes only with 29 hurricane hits.(affected 61 times since 1871)
46) Homestead, Florida every 2.39 years New addition to database and brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017. 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. Second in the 2.39 group with 29 hurricane hits but one less major 13 (third tie breaker) than San Salvador Bahamas. (affected 61 times since 1871.)
47) Nassau, Bahamas every 2.39 years Had a quiet season in 2017 and drops 3 positions,has 26 hurricane hits in the middle of the 2.39 group. Being a very tiny island has the surrounding larger Bahama Islands having more affects and ranked higher. (affected 61 times since 1871)
48) Daytona,Florida every 2.39 years Cracks the top 50 with a brush from Hurricane Irma in 2017. Bottom of the 2.39 group with 9 hurricane hits. (affected 61 times since 1871)
49) Vero Beach, Florida every 2.43 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and also cracks the top 50. Tops of the 2.43 group and would be ranked much higher if this was for hurricanes only with 24 hurricane hits.(affected 60 times since 1871)
50) Gulf Shores, Alabama every 2.43 years Hit by Tropical Storm Cindy & brushed by Hurricane Nate in 2017, cracks the top 50 for the first time. Second in the 2.43 group with 19 hurricane hits. (affected 60 times since 1871.)
51) Great Exuma,Bahamas every 2.43 years Brushed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and nears the top 50. Middle of the 2.43 group with 18 hurricane hits since 1871. (affected 60 times)
52) Panama City, Florida every 2.43 years Barely brushed by TS Irma getting close to the top 50.. With 18 direct hurricane hits rates area near the bottom of the 2.43 group. (affected 60 times since 1871)
53) Cape Cod,Massachusetts every 2.43 years Brushed by tropical storm Jose but still can't quite crack the top 50 due to some new additions. (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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