The United States is on high alert as hurricane season intensifies, with several states facing heightened risk. Florida remains the most hurricane-prone, 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, enduring powerful storms every few years.
Among the deadliest threats is storm surge, which devastates low-lying Gulf Coast cities where flat terrain leaves entire communities exposed. Miami, New Orleans, Tampa, New York, and Savannah are among the urban centers most at risk when a major hurricane strikes.
Yet the danger extends far beyond the shoreline. Inland flooding accounts for nearly 60% of hurricane-related deaths, as torrential rainfall and overflowing rivers wreak havoc on communities well away from landfall. Even areas deep inside Texas and other states have seen catastrophic damage as storms push their force inland.
Experts warn that climate change is intensifying these hazards, fueling stronger hurricanes and driving destructive winds further into the country. The proportion of major storms has surged in recent decades. To prepare, officials urge residents to use FEMA’s National Risk Index and NOAA’s storm surge maps—vital tools to understand local risks and strengthen resilience before the next storm arrives.