The United States is once again on high alert as hurricane season intensifies, with several states facing heightened risks. Florida remains the most hurricane-prone state, followed closely by Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina. Coastal regions such as South Florida, the Outer Banks, and the Northern Gulf Coast are especially vulnerable, often seeing major storms every few years.
One of the most dangerous elements of these storms is storm surge, which poses a severe threat to low-lying Gulf Coast cities where flat terrain leaves communities exposed. Miami, New Orleans, Tampa, New York, and Savannah are among the urban areas most at risk when powerful hurricanes approach.
But the danger doesn’t end at the coastline. Inland flooding is responsible for nearly 60% of hurricane-related deaths, as torrential rain and overflowing rivers devastate communities far from landfall. Areas deep inside states like Texas have experienced significant destruction as storms carry their power well beyond the shoreline.
Experts warn that climate change is intensifying these risks, fueling stronger hurricanes and pushing destructive winds further inland. The proportion of major storms has surged in recent decades. To prepare, officials urge communities to use resources such as FEMA’s National Risk Index and NOAA’s storm surge maps—critical tools for understanding hazards and strengthening resilience before the next storm arrives.