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Hurricanes are low-pressure storm systems that form over tropical or subtropical water with surface winds that move in a continuous circular motion. Major hurricanes can be devastating storms that produce strong winds, flooding from storm surges, extreme rainfall, and tornadoes. Hurricanes form over warm water (80℉ or warmer), at least 200 miles north of the equator, and with an atmosphere that contains moist air and cooler temperatures at higher altitudes.
The Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1st to November 30th. According to NOAA, during the 30 years from 1991 to 2020, there were an average of 14 named storms per year in the Atlantic, including 7 hurricanes per year, of which 3 were major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5). Hurricane activity between 2016 and 2024 has been above average each year. For example, in 2024, there were 18 named storms and 11 hurricanes, of which 5 developed into major hurricanes.
The eastern Pacific hurricane season is from May 15th to November 30th and averages 15 named storms per year, of which about 8 develop into hurricanes and 4 into major hurricanes. Most of the storms and hurricanes in the eastern Pacific move west, away from the coast, and do not make landfall in North America.
All states along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast are in the potential path of hurricanes and tropical storms. About 40% of all northern Atlantic hurricanes strike Florida. Although there are no documented cases of a hurricane making landfall in California, flooding from storm surge and extreme rainfall occur from offshore hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricanes are also rare in Hawaii as a result of a combination of water temperature and atmospheric conditions. Only five hurricanes have caused serious damage in the Hawaiian islands in the last 70 years.
The pattern of hurricane intensity and frequency in both the Atlantic and Pacific is changing. Recent research suggests that there has been an increase in intense hurricane activity since the 1970s over the past 40 years due to measurable changes in the environment–a trend that is predicted to continue if ocean and atmospheric temperatures continue to increase.
Hurricanes are a type of tropical cyclone and are classified into five categories by wind speed that can cause significant damage to trees and well-constructed framed homes.
CATEGORY | WIND SPEED | DAMAGE |
1 | 74-95 mph | Some damage could occur to the roof, shingles, vinyl siding, and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap, and trees with shallow roots may be toppled. |
2 | 96-110 mph | Extensive damage to roofs and siding could occur. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted. |
3 | 111-129 mph | Major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends will occur. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted. |
4 | 130-156 mph | Severe damage with loss of roof and/or some exterior walls can occur. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted. |
5 | 157+ mph | A majority of homes will be destroyed with total roof failure and wall collapse. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted. |
In 2024, five named Atlantic storms made landfall in the United States, including Hurricanes Beryl, Francine, Helene, and Milton. Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida before moving north through the southeast. Heavy rain caused severe flooding in parts of Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. It was responsible for 150 fatalities and was the deadliest hurricane in the US since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The long-term human health and mortality impacts of hurricanes and tropical storms were investigated by researchers from UC Berkeley in 2024. They found that these storms trigger a complex chain of events that result in 7,000 to 11,000 excess deaths per tropical storm or hurricane. Using data from 501 historical storms, they estimate that between 3.2% and 5.1% of all deaths along the Atlantic Coast are a result of the long-term effects of hurricanes and tropical storms. They estimate that since 1930, tropical storms and hurricanes have caused 3.6 to 5.2 million deaths in the US–more than all deaths from motor vehicle accidents, infectious disease, or battle deaths in wars during the same period. The data suggests that this is especially true for those 44 years and younger and the Black population. Tropical storms and hurricanes cause damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses; social and economic disruptions; population relocation; increased pollution; crop damage; and reduced access to basic services. This results in a delayed mortality effect. For example, family members might move away, removing critical support when something occurs years later; individuals may use retirement savings to repair damage and reduce healthcare spending as a result; and local budgets may change to meet the immediate recovery of a community, reducing investments that might have supported long-term health.
Storm surge and extreme rainfall are important components of hurricanes. Storm surge is water that is pushed towards the shore by hurricane winds, creating an abnormal rise in sea level. Storm surge combined with a normal high tide is called a storm tide and can be over 15 feet above a normal high tide and flood as much as 30 miles inland from the coast. Extreme rainfall results from warm, moist air that rises in a hurricane and typically produces 6-12 inches of rain.
Nearly all hurricanes that pass over land produce at least one tornado between 50 and 300 miles from the eye of the storm. While most tornadoes associated with hurricanes are short-lived and weaker than those that occur in the Great Plains, they can produce dangerous and destructive winds up to 300 mph.
Flooding from storm surge and extreme rainfall is the most important safety concern. Between 1963 and 2012, almost 90% of all fatalities with a known cause of death associated with hurricanes can be attributed to water hazards that include flooding from storm surge and extreme rainfall, wave and rip currents, and offshore marine incidents. During this 50-year period, nearly 50% of all such deaths were caused by storm surge and about 27% by freshwater flooding from extreme rainfall. Since 2012, the proportion of deaths from freshwater flooding has increased to 57%, and fatalities from storm surge have decreased to 11%. According to NOAA researchers, rainfall during tropical storms and hurricanes has been increasing and is expected to continue to increase by 10-20% with an expected 2° C global temperature increase. The more intense rainfall is generally occurring in coastal communities, many of which are experiencing population booms, magnifying the consequences of extreme rainfall flooding, especially on the outskirts of tropical storms and hurricanes where communities are less prepared.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)has been issuing public advisories every three hours when there is a hurricane or other category of tropical cyclone in the Atlantic or eastern Pacific. NOAA recommends that the best way to stay safe is to run from water and hide from wind. If you are at risk of flooding, it is important to get to high ground away from bodies of water and flood-prone areas. When there are high winds, they recommend sheltering in place in a sturdy structure away from windows and doors. Following evacuation orders from local emergency managers is also a critical step for safety.
Research suggests that a high-risk flood zone designation reduces property value. In general, the negative impact on property value increases as the risk level increases but also varies widely by geographic location. In a meta-analysis of 19 case studies, researchers found that for every 1% increase in flood risk, there was a 0.6% decrease in the sales price of properties in coastal areas.
In contrast, some research also suggests that home prices can rise up to a maximum of 3-4% after three years in coastal cities following hurricane strikes. This increase is generally interpreted as a result of the decrease in the supply of homes that results from the destruction of properties during hurricanes.
Know the risks associated with your property with a resource like AreaHub. In addition, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maintains an online flood map service center that is a public source of flood hazard information, including address-specific flood zone information. The National Weather Service produces storm surge hazard maps that can be used to predict storm surge risk for a region based on hurricane category.
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding, and in high-risk coastal states, it does not cover damage caused by wind. Evaluate your risk and coverage to make sure your home is properly insured. The Insurance Information Institute provides detailed guidelines for evaluating insurance needs.
Retrofitting your home to protect it from flood and wind damage is another option. There are six general retrofitting methods recommended by FEMA to protect from flooding, including elevating, moving, demolishing and rebuilding, wet floodproofing to make portions of a home resistant to flood damage, dry floodproofing to prevent water from entering, and building barrier systems. Similarly, FEMA recommends three retrofitting methods to protect from wind damage, including improvements to roofing, siding, windows, doors, and load path connections (specific types of straps, brackets, and bolts). FEMA and some state agencies provide grants to help pay for some of these retrofitting methods under some circumstances.