Hurricane risk by county
Tropical storms with winds of 74 mph or more. They bring wind damage, storm surge and days of heavy rain that can flood places far inland.
Highest expected losses
| # | County | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harris County, TX | $458M | |
| 2 | Miami-Dade County, FL | $331M | |
| 3 | Lee County, FL | $300M | |
| 4 | Palm Beach County, FL | $287M | |
| 5 | Brevard County, FL | $281M | |
| 6 | Charleston County, SC | $281M | |
| 7 | Broward County, FL | $280M | |
| 8 | Jefferson Parish, LA | $251M | |
| 9 | Orleans Parish, LA | $223M | |
| 10 | Collier County, FL | $216M | |
| 11 | Beaufort County, SC | $201M | |
| 12 | Horry County, SC | $200M | |
| 13 | Chatham County, GA | $189M | |
| 14 | New Hanover County, NC | $181M | |
| 15 | Sarasota County, FL | $180M |
Big counties lead this list partly because they have more people and buildings at risk.
Highest per resident
| # | County (100,000+ people) | Per person a year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beaufort County, SC | $1,075 |
| 2 | Craven County, NC | $923 |
| 3 | Onslow County, NC | $841 |
| 4 | Indian River County, FL | $827 |
| 5 | Terrebonne Parish, LA | $815 |
| 6 | Brunswick County, NC | $812 |
| 7 | New Hanover County, NC | $805 |
| 8 | Charleston County, SC | $690 |
| 9 | Baldwin County, AL | $689 |
| 10 | Bay County, FL | $674 |
Expected yearly loss divided by population. A fairer way to compare places of different size.
Lowest risk among large counties
| # | County (250,000+ people) | Rating | Per person a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego County, CA | under $1 | |
| 2 | Riverside County, CA | under $1 | |
| 3 | Maricopa County, AZ | under $1 | |
| 4 | Pima County, AZ | under $1 | |
| 5 | Milwaukee County, WI | under $1 | |
| 6 | Waukesha County, WI | under $1 | |
| 7 | Lake County, IL | under $1 | |
| 8 | Lake County, IN | under $1 | |
| 9 | McHenry County, IL | under $1 | |
| 10 | Cook County, IL | under $1 |
How ratings are spread
The lists above show only the top counties, so they are all rated high. Across all 2,230 rated counties, most are Low or Very Low:
How to prepare
- Know your evacuation zone and route before June 1.
- Ask about roof age, shutters and the separate wind or hurricane deductible on your home policy.
- Remember surge and rain flooding need flood insurance.
States where it is most often the top hazard
Read more
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Common questions
Which US county has the highest hurricane risk?
Harris County, TX has the highest expected yearly hurricane losses in FEMA's National Risk Index, about $458 million a year. Miami-Dade County, FL is second at $331 million.
How many counties face hurricane risk?
FEMA rates hurricane in 2,230 of 3,144 counties in the 50 states and DC. 47 are rated Very High and 118 Relatively High.
Is hurricane covered by home insurance?
Usually yes for damage to the home, but check deductibles. Some states and insurers use separate wind, hail or hurricane deductibles.
Other hazards
Source: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025). Expected annual loss is FEMA's long-run estimate of yearly damage to buildings, people and farm output, in dollars.