A hurricane is a rotating weather system with sustained winds of at least 74 mph.1 These major storms can hit the U.S. in any month, but the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.
U.S. hurricanes caused nearly $1.3 trillion in damage between 1980 and 2023, with an average cost of $22.8 billion per event, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.2
If you live on the East Coast, you know hurricanes are a fairly regular occurrence. Homeowners insurance can help ensure your home has financial protection against potential storm damage.
The 10 states with the most hurricanes are all located along the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Coast. Each of these states has seen a dozen or more hurricanes in the past 173 years, with some storms stronger than others.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale rates these storms on a scale of one to five based on wind speed.3 The scale considers cyclones rated Category 3 or above as major hurricanes.
Here’s a closer look at each of the top 10 states.
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Between 1851 and 2023, 121 hurricanes hit the Sunshine State — the highest total in the U.S.
Making landfall 30 years apart, Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Ian are two of the most destructive hurricanes to hit Florida in terms of structural damage and deaths. Combined, the two storms killed nearly 200 people and caused an estimated $138 billion in property damage.4
Sixty-five hurricanes have hit the Lone Star State since 1851, and 19 of them registered as Category 3 or higher. One of those storms, the Galveston hurricane of 1900, killed more than 6,000 people and permanently swallowed parts of Galveston Island. Its property damage tally of $20 million translates to more than $700 million in today’s dollars.
Hurricane Harvey, which hit in 2017, was the most significant rainfall event in national history. The storm dumped a record-setting 60.58 inches of rain in six days over Texas’ and Louisiana’s coastal communities.5
Since 1851, 63 hurricanes have made landfall in the Pelican State. Hurricane Katrina is the state’s most infamous storm, which in 2005 spawned dozens of tornadoes and caused more than 1,200 deaths and $75 billion in property damage.
The Cheniere Caminada hurricane of 1893 is the second-deadliest storm to hit Louisiana, causing 1,100 deaths and destroying parts of Mississippi, Georgia, and the Carolinas in the process.6
Records show 58 hurricanes hit North Carolina between 1851 and 2023, with seven of them categorized as Category 3 or higher. Hurricane Fran of 1996 was one of the most destructive. It caused 26 deaths and enough property damage that the World Meteorological Organization retired the name “Fran” from the hurricane name list.7
While South Carolina hasn’t yet experienced a Category 5 hurricane, it has seen its fair share of severe storms. The most destructive hurricanes to hit South Carolina include the 1893 Great Charleston hurricane, Hurricane Hazel of 1954, Hurricane Gracie of 1959, and Hurricane Hugo of 1989. All told, 32 hurricanes have hit the Palmetto State, with five of them defined as Category 3 or 4.8
Nearly two dozen hurricanes have hit Alabama since 1851, with five of them defined as severe storms. The state’s 60-mile-long coastline stretches directly into the Gulf of Mexico, leaving plenty of space for a storm to hit.
One of the most destructive hurricanes to pass through was Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Its storm surge and heavy rain caused catastrophic flooding across Alabama.
Georgia’s position — north of Florida and with the Atlantic Ocean on the east — leaves it exposed to storms. Twenty one hurricanes have hit Georgia, with three of them registering as Category 3 or higher.
Though strong winds have caused significant damage in the Peach State, floods can also devastate the area. For instance, Tropical Storm Alberto dumped 25 inches of rain over Georgia in 1994, killing 34 people.9
New York has had 15 hurricanes in the past two centuries, with three categorized as major storms. Hurricane Sandy is the most notable — it traveled over the Caribbean and transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone just before hitting New York and New Jersey in October 2012. The storm caused 72 deaths and more than $70 billion in property damage.10
Only four hurricanes on record have made landfall in the U.S. at Category 5 intensity. One of those storms, Hurricane Camille, hit Mississippi in August 1969. It ranks as the second-most intense hurricane to strike the continental U.S. In fact, hurricane experts don’t know Hurricane Camille’s actual maximum sustained wind speeds because the storm destroyed the wind-recording instruments in the landfall area.
All told, 14 hurricanes have hit Mississippi since 1851, with five of them reaching Category 3 or higher.11
A total of 13 hurricanes have made landfall in Virginia. The most notable storm to affect the area is Hurricane Camille, which entered the U.S. through Mississippi and traveled northeast. When the storm hit Virginia, rainfall swept away more than 100 bridges and 900 buildings, killing more than 100 people.
Homeowners in high-risk areas generally pay more for home insurance. So it may come as no surprise that Florida, Texas, and Louisiana — nestled along the Gulf Coast — have some of the highest home insurance rates in the U.S.
Hurricanes have hit these states more than any others in the last two centuries. Homes in these areas are at a higher risk of structural damage and flooding, and homeowners are therefore more likely to submit claims. Insurers increase rates because of the elevated risk.
The table below shows the average annual home insurance premium among the states with the most hurricanes. The premiums reflect policies with $300,000 in dwelling coverage.
Hurricane-force winds have the power to collapse buildings, rip off siding and roofs, break windows, and create storm surges that flood your home and the surrounding areas. Standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover storm surge flooding, but they do cover structural damage that results from windstorms, which include hurricanes.
But you should check your policy. Depending on where you live, your insurer may charge a separate hurricane deductible when a named storm damages your property. Or your insurance company may exclude wind coverage if you live in a high-risk coastal area.
Fortunately, you can still protect yourself against the risk of property damage and storm-related flooding. A separate flood insurance policy keeps your home and possessions financially protected if they’re in an area prone to flooding. And you may be able to buy windstorm insurance as a stand-alone policy.
You can make preparations to keep you safe in the event of a hurricane. Here are some steps you can take:
Hurricanes can bring a lot of stress and tension, so it’s important to know what to do before you’re faced with one. Here are answers to questions you may still have about these major storms.
A hurricane is a tropical cyclone that forms when water warms to around 80 degrees Fahrenheit near the equator. In the Northern Hemisphere, around spring and early summer, the water gets warmer, turns into moist air, and rises to create a low-pressure system.
As the difference between high-pressure and low-pressure systems increases, winds pick up around the center, where the lowest pressure is. This forms a counterclockwise movement of wind that gains size and momentum as it moves through more warm water. These cyclone winds officially become a hurricane once they reach a speed of 74 miles per hour.
Florida has had 121 hurricanes since 1851, which is far more hurricanes than any other U.S. state.
Miami, Florida, is the U.S. city most vulnerable to hurricanes. In any given year, the city has a 16% chance of experiencing this type of storm.
Florida is a large peninsula that sticks out into the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, making it a prime target for hurricanes. And because there are no land masses nearby to weaken a storm, hurricanes can hit with significant force.
If you have a mortgage on your home, your lender may require you to have homeowners insurance. A standard policy typically covers your home and personal property from wind damage. But it won’t protect you financially against storm surges and flooding that come after a hurricane. So if you live in a state vulnerable to hurricanes, it may be a good idea to purchase flood insurance.
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