The Land Value in This City Is Plummeting Due to Damaging Hurricanes

Hurricanes are powerful forces of nature. Whipped into a frenzy by warm ocean waters, they unleash devastating torrents of destruction upon any landmass that’s in their path with blind fury. Some cities, however, have felt that wrath more than others. And with hurricane season underway, let’s take a trip down a memory lane we hope is never repeated.

There are a handful of reasons why some cities are more susceptible to hurricanes than others, and some are fairly obvious. The Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea are known as hurricane breeding grounds, so cities along coastlines that face those bodies of water are more likely to see hurricanes. Cities within the path of some prevailing wind patterns, like the trade winds and jet stream, are also more susceptible, as are ones with frequent tropical wave activity. Cities in low-lying areas or with significant portions below sea level are more vulnerable to the storm surge and flooding caused by hurricanes, and ones on barrier islands can also take the brunt of a storm’s force.

To determine the cities with the most damaging hurricanes, 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 total historic loss ratio due to hurricanes from 1996 to 2019. 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.

So read on to learn which American cities have been the most battered by hurricanes. And if you think that you’re in the clear just because you don’t live near the coast, these hurricanes made it up to 500 miles inland .

50. Norwalk, CT

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Daniel Mayo / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Sebastian Del Valle / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: PT Hamilton / Shutterstock.com

• 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

Source: DavieJones13 / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: SevenMaps / Shutterstock.com

• 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

Abandoned stores ( CC BY 2.0 ) by Erica Fischer

• 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

Source: Jupiterimages / PHOTOS.com>> via Getty Images

• 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

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: artiste9999 / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Jupiterimages / Stockbyte via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: US Navy / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• 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

Source: By TampAGS, for AGS Media – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7414046

• 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

Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: fstop123 / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Murmakova / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Pooler, Georgia ( CC BY-SA 4.0 ) by Ken Lund

• 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

Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images

• 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

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: sorsillo / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Ryan Tishken / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: aappp / Shutterstock.com

• 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

Source: Bkamprath / E+ via Getty Images

• 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

Meanwhile… Back in Myrtle Be… ( CC BY 2.0 ) by Randy Heinitz

• 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

Source: traveler1116 / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Chris Graythen / Getty Images

• 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

Gunnery Road Aerial in Lehigh … ( CC BY-SA 2.0 ) by formulanone

• 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

Source: Serenethos / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• 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

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: halbergman / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: SevenMaps / Shutterstock.com

• 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

Source: RobHainer / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: MargaretW / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Wiltser / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Eifel Kreutz / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: George Dodd III / Shutterstock.com

• 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

The Twin Spans Bridge ( CC BY-SA 4.0 ) by Pacolawrence

• 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

Source: SevenMaps / Shutterstock.com

• 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

Source: Crystal Bolin Photography / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Jennifer Yakey-Ault / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images

• 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

Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• 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

The post The Land Value in This City Is Plummeting Due to Damaging Hurricanes appeared first on 24/7 Tempo .