Hurricane Devastation is Destroying the Land Market of This City

Around six hurricanes rage across the world each year, but as climate change worsens, they are becoming much more destructive. While hurricanes have always been a global threat, they are more intense than ever before. Today's hurricanes are traveling more slowly, but they are also much stronger and leave greater damage in their wake.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, hurricanes are created by a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originate over tropical or subtropical waters. Intense winds of more than 74 miles per hour convert a tropical storm into a hurricane. Devastating torrents of destruction are unleashed on anything in their path, which is why hurricanes are responsible for a drop in land value in certain cities. (This is the costliest hurricane in U.S. history.)

Hurricanes can strike anywhere from June 1 to November 30. Coastal cities, especially those near the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, are more at risk. But cities within the path of trade winds and jet streams are also at risk, as are ones with frequent tropical wave activity. (Everyone needs to know these crucial hurricane survival tips.)

To determine the cities where hurricanes have caused a drop in land value, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on natural hazard risk for U.S. census tracts from the March 2023 FEMA National Risk Index dataset. Cities were ranked based on the total historic loss ratio due to hurricanes from 1996 to 2019. The total historic loss ratio is the combined sum of the percentage of agriculture value lost due to hurricanes from 1996 to 2019 and the percentage of building value lost due to hurricanes from 1996 to 2019.

Data was aggregated from the census tract level to the place level using boundary definitions for 2023 from the U.S. Census Bureau. Supplemental data on population is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Only cities with at least 25,000 residents were considered. (Check out these hurricanes that made it up to 500 miles inland.)

50. Norwalk, CT

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +2.8%
Total population: 91,050

49. South Portland, ME

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +4.8%
Total population: 26,656

48. Norwich, CT

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +0.4%
Total population: 40,054

47. Waterbury, CT

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +4.8%
Total population: 114,480

46. Wilson, NC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -3.0%
Total population: 47,767

45. Pharr, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 3.9%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.0%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +3.5%
Total population: 79,434

44. Palm Coast, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +10.6%
Total population: 91,082

43. Salisbury, MD

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +1.8%
Total population: 32,960

42. Ormond Beach, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +4.6%
Total population: 43,127

41. Victoria, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.0%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.4%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -1.6%
Total population: 65,481

40. Lafayette, LA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.3%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.1%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -3.8%
Total population: 121,706

39. Summerville, SC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.3%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.1%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +3.5%
Total population: 50,839

38. Lake Charles, LA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.1%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.4%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +9.6%
Total population: 82,430

37. Huntsville, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 5.1%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.6%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +13.4%
Total population: 46,202

36. Goose Creek, SC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +11.7%
Total population: 45,858

35. Enterprise, AL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 5.1%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.6%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +2.7%
Total population: 28,513

34. New Bern, NC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.3%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +5.8%
Total population: 31,373

33. Beaumont, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -3.3%
Total population: 114,573

32. New Iberia, LA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -6.4%
Total population: 28,363

31. Mount Pleasant, SC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +12.7%
Total population: 90,945

30. South Bradenton, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +2.1%
Total population: 25,471

29. Pooler, GA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +16.8%
Total population: 26,264

28. Pensacola, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +2.6%
Total population: 54,059

27. Brownsville, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +2.7%
Total population: 186,999

26. Golden Gate, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -1.5%
Total population: 29,400

25. Fort Pierce, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +6.6%
Total population: 47,153

24. Gulfport, MS

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +1.7%
Total population: 72,524

23. Palm City, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +5.8%
Total population: 25,957

22. Merritt Island, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -5.7%
Total population: 34,300

21. Myrtle Beach, SC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +17.2%
Total population: 36,064

20. Wilmington, NC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +1.5%
Total population: 116,933

19. Mobile, AL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -3.0%
Total population: 186,316

18. Navarre, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +13.9%
Total population: 38,829

17. Lehigh Acres, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +6.5%
Total population: 124,440

16. North Port, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +23.1%
Total population: 76,975

15. Corpus Christi, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.6%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.2%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -1.5%
Total population: 317,804

14. Concord, NH

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 5.7%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.3%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +3.1%
Total population: 44,049

13. Hinesville, GA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +3.6%
Total population: 34,732

12. Panama City, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -6.6%
Total population: 34,254

11. Hilton Head Island, SC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -4.9%
Total population: 37,708

10. Port Charlotte, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +7.1%
Total population: 63,913

9. Jacksonville, NC

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -2.4%
Total population: 71,908

8. Daphne, AL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +12.9%
Total population: 27,861

7. Houma, LA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -2.0%
Total population: 33,094

6. Wright, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +12.5%
Total population: 26,272

5. Vero Beach South, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 4.5%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.5%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +24.7%
Total population: 29,965

4. Torrington, CT

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 6.1%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.3%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +1.2%
Total population: 35,510

3. Statesboro, GA

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 5.8%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 0.6%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +8.3%
Total population: 33,185

2. Key West, FL

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 6.8%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.9%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: +3.0%
Total population: 26,078

1. Kingsville, TX

Agriculture value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 6.8%
Building value lost to hurricanes, 1996-2019: 1.9%
Population change, 2017 to 2023: -2.4%
Total population: 25,265