Hurricane season is a challenging time for the southeastern United States. Category 3 hurricanes come with 111 to 129 mph winds and cause serious damage. These powerful storms can uproot trees, flood tide levels with a surge of 9 to 12 feet, and destroy even well-built homes. Category 3 hurricanes and stronger are classified as “major” hurricanes that pose a serious threat to life, property, and the environment. (These hurricanes decimated the Gulf Coast.)
To identify the cities most frequently impacted by powerful hurricanes, 24/7 Wall St. analyzed historical data from 1842 to 2022 provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This analysis focused on hurricanes reaching Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Methodology
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50. Starks, LA
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1918 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
49. Marco Shores-Hammock Bay, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Wilma 2005 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
48. Big Point, MS
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Frederic 1979 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
47. Hurley, MS
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Frederic 1979 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
46. Fort Myers Beach, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Donna 1960 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
45. Iona, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Donna 1960 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
44. Cape Coral, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Donna 1960 (120.8 mph max wind speed)
43. Goodland, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Donna 1960 (123.1 mph max wind speed)
42. Bayview, TX
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Beulah 1967 (126.6 mph max wind speed)
41. Vinton, LA
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Audrey 1957 (126.6 mph max wind speed)
40. Laguna Vista, TX
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Beulah 1967 (126.6 mph max wind speed)
39. Port Isabel, TX
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Beulah 1967 (126.6 mph max wind speed)
38. Gulf Breeze, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Dennis 2005 (126.6 mph max wind speed)
37. Medley, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
36. Port Sulphur, LA
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1893 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
35. El Portal, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
34. Cut Off, LA
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Betsy 1965 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
33. Galliano, LA
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Betsy 1965 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
32. Southwest Ranches, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
31. Weston, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
30. Miami Beach, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
29. Davie, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
28. Miami Gardens, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
27. Miramar, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
26. Pembroke Pines, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
25. Hialeah, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
24. Miami, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane King 1950 (132.3 mph max wind speed)
23. Empire, LA
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Katrina 2005 (133.5 mph max wind speed)
22. Liverpool, TX
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1900 (138.1 mph max wind speed)
21. Galveston, TX
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1900 (138.1 mph max wind speed)
20. Los Fresnos, TX
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1880 (139.2 mph max wind speed)
19. Marathon, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Donna 1960 (143.8 mph max wind speed)
18. Coral Gables, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1926 (143.8 mph max wind speed)
17. Cameron, LA
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Laura 2020 (149.6 mph max wind speed)
16. Hackberry, LA
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Laura 2020 (149.6 mph max wind speed)
15. Brazoria, TX
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1932 (149.6 mph max wind speed)
14. Leisure City, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Andrew 1992 (166.9 mph max wind speed)
13. South Miami Heights, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Andrew 1992 (166.9 mph max wind speed)
12. Cutler Bay, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Andrew 1992 (166.9 mph max wind speed)
11. Homestead, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Andrew 1992 (166.9 mph max wind speed)
10. Diamondhead, MS
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Camille 1969 (172.6 mph max wind speed)
9. Picayune, MS
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Camille 1969 (172.6 mph max wind speed)
8. Duck Key, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 3 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1935 (184.1 mph max wind speed)
7. Key Largo, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 4 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1926 (126.6 mph max wind speed)
6. Brownsville, TX
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 4 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1880 (139.2 mph max wind speed)
5. Alvin, TX
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 4 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1932 (149.6 mph max wind speed)
4. Sanibel, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 4 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1935 (157.7 mph max wind speed)
3. Marco Island, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 4 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1935 (166.9 mph max wind speed)
2. Princeton, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 4 storms
- Most powerful storm: Hurricane Andrew 1992 (166.9 mph max wind speed)
1. Islamorada, Village of Islands, FL
- Category 3 and above hurricanes since 1842: 5 storms
- Most powerful storm: Unnamed hurricane 1935 (184.1 mph max wind speed)
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